Circuit Breaker Tripping

[Eric2XU]

I just finished installing my ISY99i and it works great with a LAMPLINC except that every time I change the state (brighter, dim, on, off, etc...) one of my circuits in my house trips.

 

The strangest part of this is that nether the ISY or the LAMPLINC are on this circuit.

 

What do I do? I want to do a huge deployment with this box but I cant if the power line communications are going to keep tripping the breaker.

 

thanks in advance,

 

Jay

[apostolakisl]

Is it always the same breaker? Does it happen every time you put out any inteon traffic or only with that specific lamp linc? What is on the breaker that pops (assuming it is always the same one)? What type of breaker is it (GFI/Standard, amps, volts)? Does it pop just the very split second you send the communication or is it delayed?

 

That really sound like a crazy problem!

[IndyMike]

Hello Jay,

 

I agree with apostolakisl. This should not be happening unless you have a problem on that circuit or with the breaker itself.

 

Please post back with the type of breaker (Arc fault, GFI, other) and the type of loads on that circuit.

[Eric2XU]

So I am not exactly sure what type of breaker it is but I am sure it is not gfi. My thought is that since it's a 15amp breaker (ge) that the load I too high. When I unplugged mostly everything the breaker didn't pop anymore.

 

I had 2 computers, 4 monitors, fan, light, and other computer related things on it.

 

I am going to have a electrician hopefully upgrade the breaker to 30 amp. Just not sure if that can be done without changing out the wiring. As much as it sounds Like a lot the builder put in 3 outlets and the fan / light to this one breaker.

 

Will keep you posted. Does that sound right? Insteon traffic could pop a overloaded circuit? Bear in mind. I only have problem when controller the ISY.

[Brian H]

No it does not sound right; but it does sound like you have quite a few computer related devices on it.

 

If it is a bedroom I believe the requirement is now an Arc Fault type there maybe other locations where an Arc Fault is required.

 

Some Arc Fault and GFCI breakers are known to be problems with power line signals. Though mostly with absorbing signals or making power line noise.

 

With out a wiring change . I doubt a swap to a 30 would be possible.

 

I have mapped my home and have some circuits with more outlets and lights than you have on yours.

[Goose66]

Don't know where you live, Jay, but here in the Southern U.S., a 30 Amp circuit would require 10 guage wiring and 30 amp fixtures (outlets, switches, etc.). Your current 15 amp circuit probably has 14 guage wire and 15 amp fixtures.

 

One thing you could try is just replacing that breaker with an equivalent in your electrical panel (if you are comfortable with that sort of thing).

[apostolakisl]

Agree with others, it is almost 100% for sure that the 15 amp breaker was matched to 14 guage wire and code allows only 15 amps on 14 gauge wire.

 

The first thing I would try is just switching out the 15 amp breaker with a new one. Go to HD or similar and pick up a matching brand/style breaker and swap it out. If you don't know what you are doing then get help or hire it out. It is a cheap diagnostic test which also fixes the problem if the breaker is the culprit. I have to believe it is a screwy breaker.

[Eric2XU]

Ok so after a long time I figured out the cause. My new home has the GE Arc Fault breakers in it. I called SmartHome too and they also said I am out of luck with these breakers. They did say some brands do work but I guess GE does not. I am in the expensive process of replacing them with standard breakers. It sucks though because the Arc Fault breakers are safer.

[Brian H]

Thanks for the update. Even if it was not what you really wanted to do.

[apostolakisl]

So I guess it is sort of "screwy breaker". I am a little confused as to what these breakers are and how an insteon signal would cause them to pop. Do x-10 signals also do that? What if your neighbor has insteon or x-10? x-10 signals are definitely known to carry over from neighbors and can't imagine that insteon wouldn't do the same.

[Goose66]

A traditional breaker works from the heat of excess current, i.e. an "overload." The activity of Insteon or X10 signals or current flow through the X10/Insteon devices would not affect such breakers. AFCI breakers have circuitry that detects various arc conditions. These arc conditions are detected from the nature and frequency of current flow downstream from the breaker. The coils and indunctors in this circuitry certainly could be affected by X10/Insteon signals and/or current flow through the X10/Insteon circuitry downstream. However upstream current flow, e.g. X10 signals coming into your house from another house, should have no effect at all.

[Brian H]

Yes we see arc breaker problems in the X10 forums also.

[apostolakisl]

Great info. So I guess the "noise" that insteon puts on the wires looks like the noise an arcing current might create from the standpoint of the breakers. I am glad I didn't "accidentally" install those in my new house.