T5 Fixture and GFI

[piranhaman00]

Hello,

I had a 4 bulb VIVOSUN t5 fixture set up without issue for a few weeks but decided I needed an eight bulb. I got the 8 bulb set up but it instantly trips the GFI. I am assuming bad ballast?

Is it necessary to have light fixture plugged into GFI?

 

[Reefin' rumors]

The gfci is being maxed out...what else is on the same circuit?

 

[piranhaman00]

The gfci is being maxed out...what else is on the same circuit?

Nothing lights only on this gfi

 

[Reefin' rumors]

So it's a dedicated single circuit with its own breaker?

 

[piranhaman00]

So it's a dedicated single circuit with its own breaker?

The breaker is not tripping, the GFI outlet is, I also moved it to a different circuit gfi that trips

 

[shermoen]

Does the light work on a different outlet not tied into the gfi?

 

[Reefin' rumors]

Dang...might have to open the fixture and go from there. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[piranhaman00]

Does the light work on a different outlet not tied into the gfi?

Yes

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes

Try adding ferrite cores on the power cables.

 

[spsick]

I would suspect the GFCI over a brand new fixture as they can go bad or get sensitive.

 

[piranhaman00]

I would suspect the GFCI over a brand new fixture as they can go bad or get sensitive.

Tested 5 GFI outlets 2 inline 3 in wall, all trip.

 

[TheyGaveItToMe]

Tested 5 GFI outlets 2 inline 3 in wall, all trip.

The fixture is bleeding amperage somewhere. Is the plug 3 prongs?

 

[piranhaman00]

The fixture is bleeding amperage somewhere. Is the plug 3 prongs?

Yes 3 prong grounded into GFI outlet

 

[TheyGaveItToMe]

Yes 3 prong grounded into GFI outlet

Do you have a multi meter?

 

[piranhaman00]

Do you have a multi meter?

No I don’t

 

[TheyGaveItToMe]

No I don’t

Yeah, you might want to invest in a cheap one. I really can't help you trouble shoot it, if you don't have a multi-meter.

 

[piranhaman00]

I am finding lots of information online about ballasts tripping gfi outlets, I also have a pentair UV that I run on a non gfi for the same issue.

I’m debating just running it without gfi, gfi only protects if something goes into the water no? This isn’t possible with my set up for the lights.

 

[shermoen]

Gfci will trip if it detects and imbalance in voltage and or a ground fault. Sometimes gfci devices do get very touchy through time and will trip easier than normal and that is the reason we do not install them on fridges or freezers. Is the device tripping as soon as you turn it on? Or does it run for a bit and then trip? Also is it a new brand new fixture?

 

[piranhaman00]

Gfci will trip if it detects and imbalance in voltage and or a ground fault. Sometimes gfci devices do get very touchy through time and will trip easier than normal and that is the reason we do not install them on fridges or freezers. Is the device tripping as soon as you turn it on? Or does it run for a bit and then trip? Also is it a new brand new fixture?

some GFI trip instantly and others let it run for 10-20 mins.

Brand new fixture. It’s a cheap 200$ horticulture 8 bulb t5. I’m doing research and many of these horticultural t5 fixtures say they cannot be used with gfi right in the instructions. I’m wondering if the cheap ballasts are the issue.

I ordered a replacement to see if that fixes it.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Tested 5 GFI outlets 2 inline 3 in wall, all trip.

It's electromagnetic interference from the ballasts. Ferrite cores/chokes should help.