We installed a 600w Volt transformer with 19 LED lights (12 spotlights and 7 path lights). The breaker (for the circuit that the transformer is plugged into) trips every 3-4 days at startup (running on photocell). We have checked all of the connections and everything looks good. Nothing is tripped on the transformer. We can not recreate the breaker tripping. We have tried turning on and off 20+ times and it never trips; only at startup after several days. Any ideas why this would happen? Also, we plugged in our old 200w Hampton Bay transformer and the lights ran without an issue for 12 days. We also exchanged the Volt transformer but the breaker still tripped every 3/4 days.
Just want to confirm this is a GFCI outlet? That might explain why the house’s breaker (and not the transformer’s) is tripping. I have a similar issue involving our clothes dryer which, depending on what else is on the same circuit, sometimes trips a circuit breaker. Since it’s unlikely you got two dud transformers in a row, I’m wondering if the issue could be in the house wiring. Can’t imagine why it’s so relatively sporadic, though. Maybe if you can pinpoint some device or appliance on the same circuit or some coinciding exterior event (moisture intrusion, perhaps?) that could explain why it happens only every few days. HTH
Thanks for the reply! The outside outlet is not GFCI but there is a GFCI outlet on the circuit. There is nothing else running on this circuit (all large appliances have their own circuits, etc.); it’s just a few outside outlets and an outlet by the breaker box (that is GFCI and has nothing plugged into it). It’s a 20 amp breaker. The strange part is that the 200w Hampton Bay runs perfectly with the exact same light runs and same outlet ♀️… never trips. We’ll probably have an electrician come out and check the outlet and breaker.
I’m not an electrician but my guess is that, just as a starting a microwave or vacuum cleaner can cause lights to flicker, a higher capacity transformer might involve a larger initial energy surge than a lower capacity one. In any event, you’ll definitely want your electrician to upgrade your outlet to GFCI. These perform a job similar to that of a circuit breaker but they are more sensitive. It’s also a good idea to use a GFCI to avoid any potential product warranty disputes should problems arise in the future. HTH
It's called surge current, a 0-3 second spike that occurs when an electrical device is first turned on. Meso is probably right, a 600W transformer will most likely have a higher surge current than a 200W one. The electrician can correct for it, either with an updated breaker or a GFCI or both. In any event, outdoor devices should always be protected by a GFCI. Bob
