Jandy Aqualink RS Clicking and Flashing Indicator Lights then Tripping GFCI

[AZ_Dean]

My first post here, I'm happy to have found this forum. I'm not exactly sure what is going on here so any help would be appreciated. I have pool lights and spa lights that trip the GFCI when the Jandy aqualink RS is in auto mode and the lights are scheduled to come on each night. The controller panel makes clicking sounds and the pool light and Spa light indicators on the controller panel flashes about 3 to 4 times then it trips the GFCI. When I put controller in Service Mode the lights turn on and off without issue from the controller panel, additionally they stay on without fault. Additionally, the lights when on, do not trip the GFCI in Service mode. The lights are less than 3 years old, they are LED Intellibrite 5G color.

️Any thoughts on trouble shooting?

️Does this have anything to with the relays/contactors?

️Do I possibly need a new Aqualink RS Controller panel?

️If I need a new Controller panel, are all the replacement RS controllers the same?

Comments, questions, appreciated. Thank you!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What GFCI CBs do you have?

What model light transformer ?

How many lights of what model per transformer?

Is this a new problem? Are the lights new?

False GFCI trips can be caused by a low-voltage transformer turning the light(s) OFF or ON/OFF either via light switch or relay, even on an unrelated circuit.

The inductive kick of an isolation transformer causes a brief arc across the switch contacts, injecting arc noise into the supply wiring. This brief noise feeds back to the panel and all the installed breakers. The circuitry inside the GFCI breaker may react to the arc noise and trip, even though no ground fault current is present.

A snubber capacitor (arc suppressor) across the transformer's primary leads (line to neutral) on the load side of the light switch or relay can prevent the arc noise and GFCI trip.

A snubber is a plastic-film high voltage capacitor that will suppress (“snub”) the voltage spikes in electrical systems such as the inductive kick from a transformer attached to a switch. Although inductive spikes are not harmful to users, they increase the likelihood that a GFCI will be more susceptible to nuisance trips if no arc suppression is used.

Hayward has the GLX-HAL-XSNUB arc suppressor for Universal ColorLogic transformers. It is included in the LTBUY11H70, LTBUY11H14, and LTBUY11300 Hayward Low Voltage transformers.

Intermatic PX50, PX100 and PX300 models include a built-in noise filter

 

[japoolspa]

Pulses and flashes - one could assume the Aqualink is setting a fixed color or a color show. I may be wrong but I think Aqualink Dimmers for 120 VAC lights also pulsed. Were these color lights working properly up until recently? Might we worth checking the settings for light dimmers. At the power center look to see if you have Dimmer or standard relays

 

[AZ_Dean]

Welcome to TFP.

What GFCI CBs do you have?

What model light transformer ?

How many lights of what model per transformer?

Is this a new problem? Are the lights new?

False GFCI trips can be caused by a low-voltage transformer turning the light(s) OFF or ON/OFF either via light switch or relay, even on an unrelated circuit.

The inductive kick of an isolation transformer causes a brief arc across the switch contacts, injecting arc noise into the supply wiring. This brief noise feeds back to the panel and all the installed breakers. The circuitry inside the GFCI breaker may react to the arc noise and trip, even though no ground fault current is present.

A snubber capacitor (arc suppressor) across the transformer's primary leads (line to neutral) on the load side of the light switch or relay can prevent the arc noise and GFCI trip.

A snubber is a plastic-film high voltage capacitor that will suppress (“snub”) the voltage spikes in electrical systems such as the inductive kick from a transformer attached to a switch. Although inductive spikes are not harmful to users, they increase the likelihood that a GFCI will be more susceptible to nuisance trips if no arc suppression is used.

Hayward has the GLX-HAL-XSNUB arc suppressor for Universal ColorLogic transformers. It is included in the LTBUY11H70, LTBUY11H14, and LTBUY11300 Hayward Low Voltage transformers.

Intermatic PX50, PX100 and PX300 models include a built-in noise filter

AJW22, thanks so much for the response. You are a wealth of knowledge! Additionally, I do have low voltage landscaping lighting running in the same panel, and recently when I made some landscape light transformer modifications, the pool lights started tripping. I think you are on to something here. I will run it by my electrician. I think if I shut down all of my landscape lights and see what happens I may get the answer. Regarding your specific questions, I will get those answers and respond in a following reply. Again thanks so Much!

 

[AZ_Dean]

Pulses and flashes - one could assume the Aqualink is setting a fixed color or a color show. I may be wrong but I think Aqualink Dimmers for 120 VAC lights also pulsed. Were these color lights working properly up until recently? Might we worth checking the settings for light dimmers. At the power center look to see if you have Dimmer or standard relays
View attachment 641476View attachment 641477

JAPoolSpa thanks so much for the reply! I believe this picture attached shows I have 7 relays and they are all the standard ones. Are you suggesting I could be better off with the other ones? Lights were working great for quite a while, I haven't changed any configurations. Just for clarification, the pulses and flashes were on the Aqualink Panel not actually from the pool lights.

 

[japoolspa]

Your standard relays are fine. Dimmer relays are for 120 vac incandescent lighting - you have LEDs so the dimmers are not applicable for you.

 

[AZ_Dean]

Your standard relays are fine. Dimmer relays are for 120 vac incandescent lighting - you have LEDs so the dimmers are not applicable for you.

OK, thank you!