Latest Discussions : Electrical & Lighting

12:38PM | 12/05/07

Member Since: 12/04/07
2 lifetime posts

outdoor christmas lights tripping GFI breaker HELP!!

Hello all I hope you all can help.

Like the subject says My lights are tripping the GFI breaker. It seems that all the outdoor outlets are on the same breaker because they all go out when it trips. I did unplug 3 strands on icicle lights and they stayed on. Which made me guess that I have overloaded the circuit? The only thing I have done different this year is added 4 sets of mini lights and an animated Deer. Is there anyway to be able use the icicle lights? ie.Can I use a plug inside the house or something like that?

Thanks in advance

Tom O

02:31PM | 12/05/07

Member Since: 09/17/02
476 lifetime posts

There is a good possibility that you have too much load for the breaker. Just to be sure that it is not an actual ground fault, unplug everything and then plug in the icicle lights. If the breaker holds, too much load, if the breaker trips, one or more of the strings is defective.

I don't recommend running an extension cord to the inside, even if you were to plug it into a GFI protected outlet.

Time to run a new outside outlet or two on a new circuit.

SmokeJenson

03:18PM | 12/05/07

Member Since: 12/04/07
2 lifetime posts

Thanks,I did unplug the lights on the outside tree and had the icicles pluged in and it didnt trip it. So I guess it is overloaded. Oh well I guess no Icicles this year