Nuisance tripping of AFCI circuit breaker by inrush of current when turning on amplifiers
I recently added an Accuphase power supply for my Accuphase mono blocks. When I turn on the second mono block it trips the AFCI circuit breaker. I had no trouble using the mono blocks with a Puritan Audio PSM 156 power conditioner, but it is passive. The Accuphase PS-1250 is power regenerator with a huge toroidal transformer and a large mechanical on/off switch. I imagine either the inrush of current from the PS-1250 + 2 mono blocks is too much for the AFCI breaker or their mechanical switches are creating arcs their algorithms do not recognize as normal.
I have a 10 year old Siemens 15 amp AFCI breaker, and my question is what best to replace it with? I have read that AFCI breakers have improved considerably with less nuisance tripping, and the first step would be to use a current model as a replacement. But is there a better solution?
Square D makes 'High Magnetic' AFCI breakers that are less prone to nuisance tripping, but I don't know if they would even fit in my panel. I'm not sure if Siemens makes a similar product.
An electrician coming over at the end of the week, but I thought I would ask here as this must be an issue many audio hobbyists have encountered with AFCI breakers.
If you are going to rewire separate dedicated circuits, please read this from The Absolute Sound. It came out this month and is by Vince Galbo of Galbo Design and input from MSB Technology. HIs best advice is: I repeat: Be smart here, give this paper to a licensed electrician and let him do the work. All the best, |
1- ARC-fault Circuit Breakers (and GFCI) age. 2- AFCI CB’s are often garbage out of the box. 3- replace yours with a NORMAL breaker, NON GF/AF if nowhere near water.
we JUST a month ago passed final electrical inspection. the day before, the team of electricians finishing up pulled SIX of the new/improved NEC-tech weenie designed “saving lives” models as, out of the box, they were failing, tripping repeatedly. Interestingly, a month earlier, ONE of them tripped randomly and it happened to power our home alarm system. So for four weeks we had NO fire/flood/break-in protection. once the battery backup/UPS ran down. But, NEC tech weenies say “mUh SaFEtee! dErP!” The MINUTE after the electrician left, new Certificate of Occupancy sticker on the breaker box, I replaced THAT breaker with a NORMAL, NON GF/AF CB.
It’s your house, your decision. Spend another $100 for another AFCI type CB or more. Pays your money, takes your chances. |
Could be: 1. Touchy old AFCI breaker - install new one (same brand), easiest fix 2. AFCIs need neutrals wired back to the same breaker the hot came from. If not, they'll trip all the time. But if a big vacuum cleaner or power tool doesn't trip it, it's likely wired ok. 3. Overcurrent - you need a 20A circuit installed. Let us know what the electrician says. Good luck!
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