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Subject - breaker trips
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unknowingsap
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Hey everyone, I hope someone has already figured this out and can share with me the solution.
I recently installed a Juno dual load transformer (for low voltage lighting). If I remember right it is a 500 VA transformer. It is mounted 2 feet from a Square D QO loadcenter. I come down the plywood wall with 4 feet of EMT to feed the transformer 120 volts. I leave the transformer with another 4 foot conduit and that protects the 10 gauge NM cable that is run 20 feet away to feed track lighting and illuminate 3- 35 watt 12 volt halogen lamps.
When I turned everything on it worked like it was suppose to. But what seems wierd is that every-so-often, when you flip the switch on, the QO breaker trips as soon as you snap the switch. That did not make me feel too good because the breaker was not even an arc-fault like it was suppose to be. I changed the breaker to an arc-fault and hoped for the best, but it did not matter.
You can flip the switch on a dozen times and it can be fine. Come back later and turn it on and "trip", it goes again. It can be on for an hour with no problems (hardly any load on that circuit). It is very inconsistent and somewhat frustrating. I have not messed with it too much because I was hoping some kind soul would read this and have the answer.
I have installed these before with no problems, so I'm a bit baffled. The only difference might be that I used conduit on the load side, and I wonder if magnetism and proximity to the panel could be the culprit.
Thanks to anyone who can help.
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lctrc789
| Are you sure you don't mean GFI (not ARC fault) breaker. Re-check all your wiring and your connections to make sure you have everything right. Could be something simple or a bad transformer that is your culprit as well.
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jagerbombme
| ok, noob here tryin to help. isn't 500VA same as saying 500W, and if it's 500W at 12V then that would possibly be a load of up to about 40A. maybe im wrong but it seems you sized the wire for higher current. what size breaker are you using?
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ohara7
| are you switching the low voltage side? hope not low voltage transformers need to see load at all times. alos is this juno a track or snake track? check for cont. with transformer disconnected.
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relbas
| Is this a dual thansformer? what did you do on the low voltage side?
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kbsparky
| Some transformers have an inherent inrush of current when switched on. Sometimes you can actually hear it ... a sort of moan
Square D breakers can be more sensitive than most, and may trip out on the surge of magnetic inrush. Try replacing the breaker, and see if that helps.
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