Fluorescent Lights tripping AFCI unknown reason

[jbarnes109]

In my attached, fully finished garage, I have a set of three, 8' fluorescent tube lights with two tubes in each. They are 5 yrs old. I recently changed a ballast due to the AFCI controlling the circuit tripping after the lights being on for more than 20 minutes. I am still having the issue of the AFCI randomly tripping and am trouble shooting by changing the other ballasts, changing bulbs, and will try next a different AFCI and regular CB.

Does anyone have experience on an issue similar? If so, how did you solve it? How about other trouble shooting suggestions?

Thanks,

Jon

 

[pattenp]

Why do you have AFCI on a lighting circuit?

 

[theoldwizard1]

True fluorescent lights use an arc to start the process !

 

[n20junkie]

I had the same issue with GFCI breakers. The fixtures would pop the breaker but if I plugged them into a GFCI outlet they worked fine.

In the end, I pulled the GFCI breaker and ran a regular breaker.

 

[tym]

I'll bet it's the inrush current. Agree with trying a non-AFCI breaker since it's a lighting circuit.

 

[BillK]

Have you checked the switch(s) and any other wire connections in the circuit ??? Anything can arc and cause the AFCI to trip. You say its happening after 20 minutes of on time so something is warming up and maybe arcing ?