GFI Tripping

[mkgrady]

I have a situation where a gfi receptacle is tripping. The only thing plugged in is a LV lighting transformer. So the line voltage circuit is the cord, the primary side of the transformer and a plug-in timer that turn the lights on. The timer is inside the transformer enclosure. I'm assuming nothing on the LV side could trip the gfi. Any ideas on how to test the line side?

 

[Buck Parrish]

Start unhooking wires. Then turn power on to see if it trips. You will be able to eliminate where the fault is not and eventually find where it is.

 

[mcclary's electrical]

I agree with you that something on the low voltage side should not trip the GFI,,,but you never know with some of these china made transformers. It's possibly a bad GFI or bad transformer

 

[e57]

Any ideas on how to test the line side?

There is a button on the front, and those little plug in testers.... :roll:

Is the recept feeding through to others? Use the process of elimination, test it with and without the transformer, open it an check for feed-thru... Replace it and see how it goes... They do go bad...

 

[PetrosA]

It's also a good idea to check the area for extension cords that may get used, but aren't plugged in when you're there. I once found one on a callback with a three way end, and another four cords in all attached to it with one connection laying in a puddle in a tarp and two others laying in a pool cover (feeding the pool cover pumps). The owner played dumb Obviously I refused to change the GFI for free

 

[mkgrady]

There is nothing else plugged in or down stream of the gfi. It trips occasionally. Not sure if it is during rain (probably). Should this tell me that the transformer primary winding is OK and it is something between the cord cap and the winding? The three wire cord even has a splice in it(??) and it's only 18 inches long. I suppose the splice could be leaking to ground.

 

[mcclary's electrical]

you should have said that first,,,,,i'm sure it's the splice.