15A AFCI keeps tripping

[LuluTheMonk]

We have:
3x HP ZR24W's
2600k + XFX 6870 + Seasonic 650w PSU
27" mid 2010 iMac
Couple of lights
External 1 TB HD

In our bedroom which is hooked up to a 15A AFCI which trips constantly. Is this too much? What are some solutions other than running an extension cord from the living room/bathroom into the second bedroom?

 

[Rifter]

Its unlikley the bedroom is the only part of that circuit, see what else it is powering and see if you can remove any of the other draws from the circuit.

Failing that you can check what gauge of wire was pulled for that run and check to see if the length and gauge of the wire will allow you to upgrade to a 20 amp in the panel for that circuit.

 

[Blain]

If it's a 15amp breaker, it's probably only 14 gauge wiring.
A 20amp breaker in that situation would be asking for trouble, especially since the 15amp keeps tripping.

Something is up with that circuit that CANNOT be diagnosed in an internet forum. 😵

 

[Rubycon]

AFCI can also trip if there is an issue with RF or even sparking!
To rule out overloading you have to go to the panel, remove the cover, and use a clamp on ammeter (Amprobe) to see how much power you're pulling on the circuit. If it's close to 15A then overloading is most likely the cause.

If it's a lot less than there is a good chance something else could be false tripping (or even bad hardware or poorly implemented active power factor correction!).

In any case if this sounds foreign to you your best bet is to ask an electrician for help.

 

[BoomerD]

AFCI can also trip if there is an issue with RF or even sparking!
To rule out overloading you have to go to the panel, remove the cover, and use a clamp on ammeter (Amprobe) to see how much power you're pulling on the circuit. If it's close to 15A then overloading is most likely the cause.

If it's a lot less than there is a good chance something else could be false tripping (or even bad hardware or poorly implemented active power factor correction!).

In any case if this sounds foreign to you your best bet is to ask an electrician for help.

Geez...I'm sure glad you're back...no one else around here offers the same quality of information in the posts.

 

[bruceb]

Seems like what Rubycon posted is on the right track. I would also not rule out a bad AFCI unit or a loose neutral connection.

 

[LuluTheMonk]

AFCI can also trip if there is an issue with RF or even sparking!
To rule out overloading you have to go to the panel, remove the cover, and use a clamp on ammeter (Amprobe) to see how much power you're pulling on the circuit. If it's close to 15A then overloading is most likely the cause.

If it's a lot less than there is a good chance something else could be false tripping (or even bad hardware or poorly implemented active power factor correction!).

In any case if this sounds foreign to you your best bet is to ask an electrician for help.

Thanks for the info. May need to find some help 🙁