GFCI won't reset

[Eric walls]

That's funny........I went to the hardware store and on the electrical isle they had receptables, so I asked for a 15 amp GFI tamper and weather resistant receptable.

I would never put my plug into a bad socket!

So here is the issue now........

I plugged the 2 controllers a different circuit, the one that is non GFCI. It ran for a while and then stopped. It tripod the GFCI in the garage. So this tells me that the non GFCI socket is down the line from the GFCI in the garage.

So the problem is I need to figure what is tripping this. I think I'll get the same result if I replace the receptable.

One controller goes to the mega tree. It's made of PVC and the lights come down to the ground and back up about half way- no plug is touching the ground.

The other controller goes to my arches, also made of PVC. Same thing here. They're plugged into the controller with every plug off the ground.

Even thing worked for a few days and now it trips. Someone please help, this is my first year and my neighbors want to see the show!

[Mega Arch]

Eric,

I think you ran a Halloween show without posting GFCI problems, so we need to break it down and see what's different now. And as for your asking about the fast action tripping them - no. I have some of Brian's Superstar auto-sequences running. Real busy flashy blinky and zero trips.

Are you 100% LED? You said only 1amp, so must be. Unplug everything and then start plugging one prop at a time back in. Save your wire-frame trees for last. Then you will most likely have answered your question as to should you insulate them by putting something under them.

[Eric walls]

The only thing I can think of is that it's been much wetter and rainy this time of the year. My controller with the wire mini trees runs fine, never trips the outlet and some of the plugs are actually on the ground.

It's a problem with my mega tree and my arches. Why is it continuing to trip? All the plugs are off the ground. I'm running everything LED so the total load on one controller is about half an amp.

I wish I could just get it fixed, I'm really at a loss.

[cytruden]

Eric,

 

If it were me, I would eliminate one controller at a time.  It seems you have a controller for the arches and a controller for the mega tree.

 

Test it one controller at a time.  I would unplug the mega tree controller and test the arches from the hardware utility, or even run a show with the mega tree controller unplugged.  If it runs fine, it is likely a problem with the mega tree controller.  

 

Now do the same thing with the arch controller unplugged.  If you don't find a problem, perhaps you are drawing too much current with both of them on, and you could try a separate circuit for each controller.

 

If you proceed in that manner, you should be able to identify your problem.  Once you isolate the controller, than you can begin to isolate what channel on the controller is causing the problem.

[Mega Arch]

I'm with cytruden - need to run one controller at a time. Then one channel at a time. Then one light strand at a time.

You also stated the cords to your mega tree run down to tent stakes. If they are metal tent stakes, could be a leakage point there. Try one cord at a time and play a song. It's about the only way you're gonna find the culprit.

[Ebuechner]

easier yet would be to run a test sequence that runs one channel at a time. Easy to do watch everything and see when it tripped

[Mega Arch]

easier yet would be to run a test sequence that runs one channel at a time. Easy to do watch everything and see when it tripped

Where's the fun in this?

Go get your hands dirty - or in this case -

wet.

Just kidding.

You make a great point.

[Ebuechner]

I don't know about anybody else but I have several test sequences that I use especially while setting up. you can just set the sequence editor to loop. a cascading sequence is very helpful in making sure that everything's working and in the right order

[Eric walls]

Great ideas guys, and I'm going do that tonight if it's not pouring down rain. It's suppose to rain pretty hard here today.

 

I'll take each controller and run it through the hardware unity, and then try to find which controller and which strand is causing all this.  What a pain!  It was working last week so I wonder what happened?  At least I know it's one of the two controllers, or maybe both.  I just want to get it fixed because I have been telling people I put together these lights and now they aren't working the way I wanted.

I don't think the tent stakes are causing the problem but I could be wrong. They hold down the light string but I make a loop and bring the cord back up so it's off the ground.

[Ebuechner]

I use 2 zip ties 1 small 1 large make a loop with a large zip tie attach it to the string with a small zip tie then use the large zip tie to the ground. that way you have your strands isolated from the ground.I do this on the mega tree to stake the strands to the ground

[Darryl Lambert]

Check your cords going to the tree & arches. I've had GFI's trip only to discover some critter has chewed enough insulation off the cord to expose bare copper.

A thing to remember is that GFI's tripping can be an accumulation of leakage. If each strand leaks 1mA the GFI won't trip. Once you have enough strings lit & there combind leakage is above 5mA then they'll trip. I have to power each side of my Lor controllers with separate GFI's for this very reason.

[Eric walls]

When I put together the controllers I only used 1 power cord.  Good idea of the zip tie loop to the tent stake.

[Ebuechner]

I also cut the plugs off the end of the strings of lights and use 18 gauge wire to extend them all the way to the controller. with everything soldered and shrink wrapped I minimize my problem areas

[PaulXmas]

agreed about plugging things in one at a time until you find the fault (make sure power is off while doing this).

[Eric walls]

So I narrowed it down to the mega tree controller, now I have to find the individual strand if I can.

[Ebuechner]

I'm telling you run a test sequence with each channel on for about 3 or 4 seconds and then on to the next. Put it on loop go out front and reset your gfI and watch for when it trips.that will be the fastest way to find your problem. I had to do the same thing once

[Eric walls]

Thanks, I will try that.  Might have to do it tomorrow, we have a high wind warning and rain for today. Suppose to get gusts up to 50mph.  Not much fun being in the front yard then.

[Darryl Lambert]

Finding GFI problems can be very frustrating & time consuming. It may not be just 1 string. Try your test with 1 string at a time then 2 at a time & so on, all the way till you have all strings lit. Hopefully that will narrow it down. It gets tricky when it's a combination of 2 or more, say string 3 & string 10

[Mega Arch]

Just an FYI - the only features that differentiate weather resistant GFI receptacles are a UV stabilized, high cold impact resistant thermoplastic face and a stainless steel mounting face.  internally, they are the same and are required to trip at the same 5 mA threshold as any other GFCI.  Are they better?  Maybe, but definitely not in the way most of us would think.  A 5 mA fault isn't going to care about better plastic and a non-corrosive strap.  Mega Arch's success is likely more attributable to the tamper-resistant closure feature and overall quality that Leviton brings to their products (yes, I'm a big fan of them vs other brands).  Add in the fact that they are new and have not been through any trip cycles and/or suffered from any internal corrosion on the contacts as yet and it's a whole bunch of positives in your favor to help keep the lights on.

There seems to be many threads on GFCI tripping right now. So to follow-up, I rechecked my specs yesterday on the WT series I previously mentioned. I wanted to see for myself exactly what features caused the sell price to be a little higher on this GFCI series than the normal indoor series GFCI receptacles. Knowing that they need to be installed in a weatherproof box or under the eave away from the elements, why state they are "better for outdoor use"?

 

They have rust resistant stainless steel straps and screws and have more durable cold impact resistant face and buttons, which are great features, as mentioned by SparkDr. However, internally, Leviton has "Conformal coated PC board to protect critical components from moisture". So I agree with the statement that I haven't suffered from any internal corrosion. And most likely won't.

So back to my previous posted statement of best GFCI I've ever used / sold / seen or read about. Even if you don't want to fork out a buck or two extra for a weather-resistant model, new models of GFCI receptacles, from most leading manufacturers, have addressed the high frequency noise nuisance trips previously found. If you are experiencing a lot of tripping and you can't just seem to find it, and if your receptacles are over 5-6 years old, might consider changing them out.

 

(Be sure to turn the breaker off before attempting this or any other electrical work you are not qualified for, and / or call an electrician... Just covering my check-book here so I'll still have money for more controllers.....)

[Eric walls]

Well right now I think I have the issues solved. I checked all the strands on my mega tree, unplugged each strand, and then plugged each one at a time into the GFI.  I don't have a clue what I did but the whole thing is working now!

I did go and buy a very good weather proof, tamper proof GFCI receptacle, spent $20 on it.  If I don't get another trip I think I'll wait till the summer to replace it. It's cold and soggy out now.

I know what breaker goes to that circuit so it will be fairly easy.  Just shut that off and install the new one. Bought a new "in use" cover too.

 

The last week has been a total pain but thanks to everyone who helped me. This being my first year I only have a small display but my neighbors have all commented how they love the lights dancing to the music.  Some of them now want to get in on this.

Thanks again! I couldn't believe how much time, energy, and frustration I spent on this, I was starting to wonder if it was all worth it!

Eric