2. amps-preamps
  3. 193049-343

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.

toronto416
erik_squires
16,404 posts
 

The only circumstance under which you should change the breaker amp rating to 20 A is if you have 12 gauge wiring already.

Do not increase the amp size unless you are sure or rewire.

toronto416 OP
258 posts
 

Thank you Erik - sage advice.

immatthewj
2,391 posts
 

Since you said you were having an electrician come to look things over, you could ask him what he'd charge to put a separate  circuit (or circuits) using 12 or 10 gauge wire in where you want your system to live (assuming you don't want to do it yourself).  .   

toronto416 OP
258 posts
 

Thank you Matthew - that is a good suggestion.  It is not something I would be able to do myself.

immatthewj
2,391 posts
 

It's not that bad a job, but for me it was time consuming both times I did it, and the second time I dropped some new circuits down to a new location (a couple of years ago) I had learned a lot more than the first time I did it about 30 years ago, so I went back to those original circuits I dropped in to tidy some stuff up, and some of the stuff I had done looked almost scary to me the second time around.  So anyway, I don't think it would be cheap to get an electrician to drop a new circuit in, but the benefit your system might derive from it's own dedicated circuit(s) might be worth it to you.

Anyway, what I meant to say but I forgot, was that I am pretty sure that putting a 20A breaker on a circuit made of wire smaller than 12 gauge would be another  reason that a homeowners company could use to void your policy in the event of a catastrophe.  

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