I have at home a room illuminated with fluorescent tubes. The light intensity can be regulated with a dial next to the switch, similar to a potentiometer.

Next to each fluorescent tube there is an

Atlas GD158 Controllable Electronic Ballast F58W/35

Often, when I switch on the light in the room, the mini circuit breaker in the garage switches off.

What could be the reason for the fault?

Is there anything special in the wiring of this type of circuit?

Thanks,

Antonio

In article ,
asalcedo wrote:

I have at home a room illuminated with fluorescent tubes. The light
intensity can be regulated with a dial next to the switch, similar to a
potentiometer.

Next to each fluorescent tube there is an

Atlas GD158 Controllable Electronic Ballast F58W/35

Often, when I switch on the light in the room, the mini circuit breaker
in the garage switches off.

What could be the reason for the fault?

Is there anything special in the wiring of this type of circuit?

Thanks,

Antonio

What is the total loading on that circuit - add up the watts of all the
lights. And what is the rating on the MCB?

--
*Remember not to forget that which you do not need to know.*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Dec 1, 8:29*am, asalcedo wrote:
I have at home a room illuminated with fluorescent tubes. The light
intensity can be regulated with a dial next to the switch, similar to a
potentiometer.

Next to each fluorescent tube there is an

Atlas GD158 Controllable Electronic Ballast F58W/35

Often, when I switch on the light in the room, the mini circuit breaker
in the garage switches off.

What could be the reason for the fault?

Is there anything special in the wiring of this type of circuit?

Thanks,

Antonio

--
asalcedo


I think that dimmers for fluorescent tubes generate spikes of HV to
keep the tube ionised. At least they once did.
Maybe this trips the MCB.

On Dec 1, 8:29*am, asalcedo wrote:
I have at home a room illuminated with fluorescent tubes. The light
intensity can be regulated with a dial next to the switch, similar to a
potentiometer.

Next to each fluorescent tube there is an

Atlas GD158 Controllable Electronic Ballast F58W/35

Often, when I switch on the light in the room, the mini circuit breaker
in the garage switches off.

What could be the reason for the fault?

Is there anything special in the wiring of this type of circuit?

Thanks,

Antonio

It'll be an electronic ballast, so has a rectifier & reservoir cap
input. The result is often a curent spike when switched on. Swapping
the mcb for a fuse should cure it, or maybe a type C breaker.


NT

Hi NT, thank you for your response.

Can you please point me to a fuse to replace the present MCB in the consumer unit that I can get online? I am familiar with MCB but not with fuses inside a Consumer Unit.

Thanks,

Antonio