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PX - Circuit Overload or Short Circuit Troubleshooting

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PX

If the circuit breakers (6) on the face of the transformer keep tripping, the system is experiencing either a circuit overload or there is a short in the system.

1. Electrical Panel

2. GFCI

3. Timer Receptacle

4. Timer

5. Photocell

6. Circuit Breakers

7. Low Voltage Terminal Block Lugs

  • FAQ
Circuit Overload

If the amperage load on any given common lug exceeds 25 amps, the circuit breaker will trip. Test the amperage load on all cables on each common lug using an amp clamp. The digital amp clamp should be set on the 200 Ã setting. Test each individual cable on each common lug with the amp clamp. To remedy an overload, either reduce the wattage of the lamps in the fixtures or rebalance the amp load between commons. Remember, each common can handle a maximum of 25 amps.

Using the digital amp clamp, turn the clamp on to the 200 Ã setting.

  • Clamp around the cables on each common.
  • Clamp each individual wire on each common.
  • A reading over 25 amps on any given common indicates circuit overload. This is not a transformer problem; it’s an installation issue.

NOTE: Each circuit breaker is designed for 300W of fixtures on each common lug. If you have more than 300 watts of fixtures, the circuit will trip and not send voltage down the wire path. The transformer may take a little time before it trips.

Short Circuit

The circuit breakers (6) will trip if there is a short somewhere in the cabling. To test for a short circuit, check each cable on the common tap that is tripping individually. If one cable reads excessively high — 10+ amps higher than it should — there is most likely a short somewhere in that circuit. Example: A circuit with 100 watts of load (five 20 watt fixtures) should have an amp reading of approximately 8 amps. If the cable is reading 18 amps or more, it has a short somewhere in the cable.

Note: Shorts and overloads are NOT covered by the FX warranty and can only be detected when the transformer is tested in the field.

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