Nuisance tripping of AFCI circuit breaker by inrush of current when turning on amplifiers


I recently added an Accuphase power supply for my Accuphase mono blocks.  When I turn on the second mono block it trips the AFCI circuit breaker.  I had no trouble using the mono blocks with a Puritan Audio PSM 156 power conditioner, but it is passive.  The Accuphase PS-1250 is power regenerator with a huge toroidal transformer and a large mechanical on/off switch.  I imagine either the inrush of current from the PS-1250 + 2 mono blocks is too much for the AFCI breaker or their mechanical switches are creating arcs their algorithms do not recognize as normal.

I have a 10 year old Siemens 15 amp AFCI breaker, and my question is what best to replace it with?  I have read that AFCI breakers have improved considerably with less nuisance tripping, and the first step would be to use a current model as a replacement.  But is there a better solution?

Square D makes 'High Magnetic' AFCI breakers that are less prone to nuisance tripping, but I don't know if they would even fit in my panel.  I'm not sure if Siemens makes a similar product.

An electrician coming over at the end of the week, but I thought I would ask here as this must be an issue many audio hobbyists have encountered with AFCI breakers.

toronto416

Showing 6 responses by erik_squires

The only circumstance under which you should change the breaker amp rating to 20 A is if you have 12 gauge wiring already.

Do not increase the amp size unless you are sure or rewire.

If it really is an AFCI tripping, consider swapping out power cords as well as changing the order of amplifier starts.

I do repeat though, first generation AFCI breakers (1999 ish) were more jittery than the second generation CAFCI breakers. 

I almost firgot.  Afci, cafci and gfci breakers include diagnostic LEDs.  If they arent on you have a plain old overcurrent trip.

Ps, the online forums complaining about first gen. AFCI tripping have settled down quite a bit with the second generation CAFCI versions.

Last, really, ive seen power conditioners with very large toroids trip breakers, had nothing to do with AFCI

Also, check with the manufacturer.  With AFCI breakers now required in all residential circuits this should be something they are aware of.

I would definitely start with a second generation Siemens CAFCI breaker.

Im not sure about your situation butI have 20 Siemens CAFCI breakers, all upgrades fron non AFCI and never had a nuisance trip.