GFI outlet tripping for no (??) reason

Outdoor outlets and light fixtures get coated with windblown dirt. When this dirt gets a little damp, it will provide a path for leakage to ground.

High humidity and dew can provide more than enough moisture ...

Frequently, all it takes to eliminate seemingly random GFCI trips is to wipe off the dirt.

BTW -
It only takes 0.015 Amps (15mA) through the heart muscles to stop it from beating.

Typical GFCIs trip when 0.005 Amps (5mA) leakage is detected.

Moisture is probably the culprit here. Myredracer has the right idea. Disconnect the lights and outlets one at a time and see if the problem goes away. If it doesn't, replace the GFCI.

Before buying a new GFCI, try disconnecting the line and neutral at each of the outdoor lights, one at a time and see if the tripping stops. If it does, there is something wrong with the lights. If it still trips, try disconnecting the load side of the GFCI right at the GFCI and see if it still trips. If that fixes it, then there's something amiss with the wiring.

The first thing you should always suspect is a true ground fault somewhere.

I am wondering if a loose connection behind one of the lights is to blame? sometimes connections come loose while stuffing the wires back into the box expecially if the wrong wire nut may have accidently been used. Yes, I speak from experience. Learn from my mistake. LOL

there is a reason it trips, finding the reason is another story. Reasons could be
a) GFI gone bad, does happen.
b) neutral/ground short downstream of the GFI
c) leakage current - which is what GFI checks for, sometimes motors have enough leakage current to trip a GFI, also moisture in any downstream connection

And NO they do not make a "less sensitive" GFI. the trip current is set to be below what would usually cause a fatal shock to a person. And it is a very low current level.

Moisture is the most likely culprit. Silicone around the tops and sides of the outlets and around the lights too. remember the current is looking for a ground. Not a neutral. Gfci's do go bad so you may want to replace that. Is the gfci inside the house (prefered) or outside. most people do not seal the outlets, relying of that rubber casket that usually does not conform to the siding or brick.

Replace the GFI - they do go bad and some of the China made ones fail quite quickly.
The GFI is a good warning system. Something is wrong - don't ignore it or try the old "put in a bigger fuse" trick or someone will pay.

Do they make a "less sensitive" GFI?

Gjac wrote:
Is you refer on electric? If so your heating element may be going bad causing the GFI to trip.

No refer -- only the 2 lights and the 2 outlets plus the GFI outlet.

The wire to the outside is about 300 feet long could the length of the wire be the problem?