Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
- Thread starter nvcape
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
We'll move this to the AFCI forum where our the AFCI moderator will see it.
We'll move this to the AFCI forum where our the AFCI moderator will see it.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
I recall some information on floresent ballast research by CH (in regards to AFCI tripping) that some ballasts have leakage to ground. This may be the cause of the tripping.
I recall some information on floresent ballast research by CH (in regards to AFCI tripping) that some ballasts have leakage to ground. This may be the cause of the tripping.
volt101
Senior Member
- Location
- New Hampshire
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
Some electricians in town have had problems w/ seimans and T8's. Mostly when you shut of the switch.
Some electricians in town have had problems w/ seimans and T8's. Mostly when you shut of the switch.
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
Yes, load side. The apartments are real small and were concrete construction and we needed to reuse the existing conduits. The kitchen and closet fluorescent lights are on the circuit with the bedroom, so we have a T-8 ballast on the ark fault.
Yes, load side. The apartments are real small and were concrete construction and we needed to reuse the existing conduits. The kitchen and closet fluorescent lights are on the circuit with the bedroom, so we have a T-8 ballast on the ark fault.
curt swartz
Senior Member
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
You might want to check when these AFCI breakers were manufactured. Siemens AFCI breakers manufactured before July 2002 had the GFP current set around 7- 10ma but later changed it to 30ma. I would think the old breakers would be long gone but its possible your supplier didn?t rotate stock and you ended up with old model. I don?t have much experience with AFCI?s but have seen GFCI?s trip when switching fluorescent fixtures.
You might want to check when these AFCI breakers were manufactured. Siemens AFCI breakers manufactured before July 2002 had the GFP current set around 7- 10ma but later changed it to 30ma. I would think the old breakers would be long gone but its possible your supplier didn?t rotate stock and you ended up with old model. I don?t have much experience with AFCI?s but have seen GFCI?s trip when switching fluorescent fixtures.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
A few other things to check for:
Look to see if any load on this circuit is using another circuits neutral.
look for a surge suppressor on the circuit most likely the plug in strip type.
Make sure there are no shared neutrals.
And last look for any neutral to ground connection.
This can be checked by isolating the neutral at the panel then check it to the neutral bar, if there is continuity it has to be removed.
The one that took me awhile to find was the surge suppressor. When the home owner turns off the paddle fan or changes the speed or tries to use a vacuum cleaner in the bedroom it causes a spike in the circuit. Because most plug in TVSS units have L-G and N-G MOV's they will interpret this spike as a ground fault and trip. Unplugged the strip and problem went away
A few other things to check for:
Look to see if any load on this circuit is using another circuits neutral.
look for a surge suppressor on the circuit most likely the plug in strip type.
Make sure there are no shared neutrals.
And last look for any neutral to ground connection.
This can be checked by isolating the neutral at the panel then check it to the neutral bar, if there is continuity it has to be removed.
The one that took me awhile to find was the surge suppressor. When the home owner turns off the paddle fan or changes the speed or tries to use a vacuum cleaner in the bedroom it causes a spike in the circuit. Because most plug in TVSS units have L-G and N-G MOV's they will interpret this spike as a ground fault and trip. Unplugged the strip and problem went away
Re: Siemens Arc Fault Breaker
Thanks, we had isolated the neutral. Advance ballast stated that they have been told of problems as there is a capacitor that charges. So far, I have repeatedly called Siemens and they have not responded. If I get an answer, I will post it. I will get date codes.
Thanks, we had isolated the neutral. Advance ballast stated that they have been told of problems as there is a capacitor that charges. So far, I have repeatedly called Siemens and they have not responded. If I get an answer, I will post it. I will get date codes.
- Status