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?



*If it is a very old GFI he may be right. Inside of a garage there are
large temperature and humidity variations as well as fumes from gasoline and
other things that get stored there. The insulation inside of the GFI may
have degraded and there may be some internal leakage with a large load.
Change the GFI and see what happens. I suggest installing a GFI that is
rated for outdoor use. It will have a "W" or "WP" on the label.

On Jan 13, 7:47*am, "John Grabowski" 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...-shop-light-40...

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?

*If it is a very old GFI he may be right. *Inside of a garage there are
large temperature and humidity variations as well as fumes from gasoline and
other things that get stored there. *The insulation inside of the GFI may
have degraded and there may be some internal leakage with a large load.
Change the GFI and see what happens. *I suggest installing a GFI that is
rated for outdoor use. *It will have a "W" or "WP" on the label.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

FYI..in our latest exchange he said that he has already swapped out
the GFCI and it didn't help.

His final answer was "I no longer do much work that requires a high
wattage worklight, so I gave up chasing the problem. My underpowered
incandescent rough duty bulb is enough."

What are you going to do...