Tripping arc fault breaker

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Hitschamp

Hitschamp

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Location
Oxnard CA
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Electrician
I have a 20 amp ark fault circuit breaker that is tripping after 5 to 20 min it will trip so my first thought was the circuit was overloaded I put my amp meter on it and the amps were low only 1 amp on the circuit. The circuit controls about 15 led can lights and two fans with lights on them and a porch light. No new work has been done and the circuit just started tripping. Any idea on what the problem can be and where to start trouble shooting


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Has any of the LED lamps been recently changed? Since it’s every five to 10 minutes, have only one load on at a time. One fan, no trip after an hour, turn that load off, move to the next one, and so on for the lights. Divide and conquer! Probably a failing LED driver.
 
Second experiment: swap it with another AFCI breaker to see whether it's the breaker or the circuit.

I've done that a few times and never gotten a repeat call.
 
Larry thank you , yes I will try that as well I think between your suggestions and hillbilly suggestions I’m going to get this problem fixed. It either going to be the breaker or the led driver I’m excited to find out what the problem


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If you have a selectable speed fan control for those paddle fans, I know full well that they can cause the arc faults to trip. They have crappy contacts in them
 
I’m going back to the house on Monday to work on this problem. I will let y’all know what it I find out thank you


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It is my understanding that AFCIs do not look for series arcs where the current is less than 5 amps, and parallel arcs where the current is less than 75 amps.

As suggested by Tom, it could be the GPF part of the AFCI if your AFCI still has that function. All of the original branch circuit and feeder type AFCIs had that function, but some of the currently required combination types do not have the GFP function.

The AFCI can be sensitive to external RFI, and that is another possibility.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
..The AFCI can be sensitive to external RFI, and that is another possibility.
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Don't ignore the fire, before breaking out ghost-buster gear.

Found melted #16 extension cord running 15A space heater, the last time client couldn't reset Leviton AGTR-1.

Client was so impressed how this device does its job, they made me collect all extension cords for disposal to remote dumpster, so no one in the house could use the extension cords again.
 
Hitschamp said:
I have a 20 amp ark fault circuit breaker that is tripping after 5 to 20 min it will trip so my first thought was the circuit was overloaded I put my amp meter on it and the amps were low only 1 amp on the circuit. The circuit controls about 15 led can lights and two fans with lights on them and a porch light. No new work has been done and the circuit just started tripping. Any idea on what the problem can be and where to start trouble shooting


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Click to expand...
I agree with the divide and conquer approach. Perhaps if it turns out to be one of the LED lights, you'll get could split the lights and figure out which way to go. Have fun!
 
ramsy said:
Don't ignore the fire, before breaking out ghost-buster gear.

Found melted #16 extension cord running 15A space heater, the last time client couldn't reset Leviton AGTR-1.

Client was so impressed how this device does its job, they made me collect all extension cords for disposal to remote dumpster, so no one in the house could use the extension cords again.
Click to expand...
Good point, it may be doing its job correctly! Divide and conquer would narrow down such a fault too. The op was saying it was lights and fans, but could also be receptacles.
 
LadyDi said:
I agree with the divide and conquer approach.
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hillbilly1 said:
Divide and conquer would narrow down..
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Roger that, divide & conquer is often necessary, but not during production.

There's no way the industry developers, General contractors, laborers that rip Romex, or panel flippers can be forced to train, replace, or subcontract skills to divide & conquer.

If contractors can't get away with removing AFCI's after inspection, they are counting on local amendments to kill them.

If property owners want extension cords shut down before the building burns down, they must rely on the few custom-service contractors qualified to trouble shoot wiring, for divide & conquer, and specialized with AFCI's.
 
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ramsy said:
Don't ignore the fire, before breaking out ghost-buster gear.

Found melted #16 extension cord running 15A space heater, the last time client couldn't reset Leviton AGTR-1.

Client was so impressed how this device does its job, they made me collect all extension cords for disposal to remote dumpster, so no one in the house could use the extension cords again.
Click to expand...
My suggestion is based on the post that says the current was one amp, and not in the range that the AFCI is even looking for an arc fault.
 
AFCI breakers are known to cause nuisance tripping for a couple different reasons they are incompatible with some electronic devices treadmills plugged in to outlets trip them a lot and improper wiring as well and I don’t believe you need AFCI breakers for lighting it’s usually for outlets so I think it’s strange to me that’s this breaker controls mostly lighting. This is a newer panel about two years old the home owner had a company install solar and upgrade the panel all the work was permitted and passed all inspection. I hope to find the problem and not just be one of those electricians that give up and replace it with a standard breaker lol buf seriously that happens a lot


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Hitschamp said:
I hope to find the problem and not just be one of those electricians that give up and replace it with a standard breaker lol buf seriously that happens a lot
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In my State the fuse box is outside. Meter readers can check most without dealing with dogs or gates.

If licensed electricians existed with AFCI expertise, they could use google maps or aerial serveys to follow remodelers and track developments, document missing AFCI's for local code enforcement & property insurances, with enough re-work to bid for a lifetime.
 
Hitschamp said:
AFCI breakers are known to cause nuisance tripping for a couple different reasons they are incompatible with some electronic devices treadmills plugged in to outlets trip them a lot and improper wiring as well and I don’t believe you need AFCI breakers for lighting it’s usually for outlets so I think it’s strange to me that’s this breaker controls mostly lighting. This is a newer panel about two years old the home owner had a company install solar and upgrade the panel all the work was permitted and passed all inspection. I hope to find the problem and not just be one of those electricians that give up and replace it with a standard breaker lol buf seriously that happens a lot


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Click to expand...
Light fixtures are outlets. See definitions in article 100. A switch isn't an outlet, but receptacles, lights, and hard wired equipment boxes are all outlets.
 
@suemarkp ; thank you for that info I will look at definition of an outlet and n article 100


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