Why do my new HQI bulbs trip my GFCI (Somewhat urgent)

The Grizz · #1 12-10-2011, 05:30 AM

This is really weird, I have 4 of these bulbs running now & know of a lot of others running them too without issues.

What type of socket do you have in the fixture? Is it the push in type or the old style end prong type?

If it is the push in type do the ends of the bulb look parallel to each other? It does sound like a bulb / socket issue. Have you contacted the supplier to see if he might have an idea what is causing the issue?

cwatkins · #2 12-10-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grizz

This is really weird, I have 4 of these bulbs running now & know of a lot of others running them too without issues.

What type of socket do you have in the fixture? Is it the push in type or the old style end prong type?

If it is the push in type do the ends of the bulb look parallel to each other? It does sound like a bulb / socket issue. Have you contacted the supplier to see if he might have an idea what is causing the issue?

The fixture used to be dual 150W and I replaced the sockets/wiring/ballast with 250W, but it's been running for well over a year with the Pheonix bulbs and no issues. Sockets are the new push in kind. So I just push both ends of the bulb in and it locks in by pressure I believe.

I can email the ebay seller. I think it's the same one everyone here uses from Ontario.

pirate · #3 12-10-2011, 08:10 AM

Have you tried swapping the 2 new bulbs around and see if it follows the bulb? How old is the GFI I know that as they age they can do some strange things.
You have said that you replaced all the parts in the light to a 250w sys, how old are the ballast and igintors? Could one of them be going bad?
Does it trip the GFI if you only use the light that you think is bad ( 1 at a time)?
The only difference that I can think of between bulbs is maybe the start up power that is required,and with the 2 new ones it is too much for the breaker. I know that running GFI is imporatant but have you run a extension cord from another plug that is not protected, except by the house breaker and see if it does the same? Perhaps you need a larger GFI breaker.