DerbyDad03 wrote:
I was discussing worklights with a friend. I told him that I have one
of these 500 watt units:

http://www.harborfreight.com/500-wat...ght-40123.html

In one email he said:

"I like the idea of these lights, but every time I purchase one for
use, they trip the GFCI receptacle in my garage. I've had to return
every light that I've purchased and have given up on the idea."

When I said that I've used this light in the rain more than once
without any problem, he replied with:

"I believe that it's the pure wattage requirements of these lights,
more than their quality (or lack thereof) that caused my GFCI to
trip."

Does that make any sense?

If it was an current overage the breaker would trip not the GFCI so
why would a "high wattage" device trip the GFCI?

Take YOUR light to HIS house. If his GFCI trips, one of you has a defective
GFCI (probaly his).

A GFCI is not a trivial device - it has real electronics inside. As such, it
can fail. Especially if it was made on a Monday or Friday.

(For those not familiar with my alleged sense of humor, that last was a
joke.)