Are GFCI Outlets Really needed?

[ykh]

I plan to install some extra electrical outlets in my unfinished basement. I put my 20+ fish tanks down in the basement. My question is that if I should install GFCI outlets. I can see the benefit of having the extra safety protection but I'm wondering if GFCI will cause nuisance trips and shut down equipments that should be running all the time.

Any suggestions is welcome. Thanks!

 

[mhurley]

Re: Are GFCI Outlets Really needed?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7463594#post7463594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ykh
Inuisance trips and shut down equipments that should be running all the time.

Not to be coy, but it's that or electrocute yourself potentially. Your choice.

I've never had a "nuisance" shut down, the only time that should really happen is if you are putting too much load on that circuit.

I have 3 seperate 20 amp circuits running my system and have tripped them a few times over the years...and quite thankfully when they did (water spraying everywhere, pop...off goes the pump).

I consider GFI's required equipment, just like good lighting, skimmer and RO water.

 

[besl]

Just the close proximity of water to AC should drive you to install GFCI as is required code for bathrooms - add salt to the water which is a very nice conductor of electricity and I say this a must application for GFCI. I don't want to hear of anyone getting hurt in this hobby - be sure to use a GFCI - if it trips it may be an inconvenience but better the breaker take the hit than you.

 

[schmoeger6]

I agree with Mike 100%. The only time I've had mine trip was when a mag 9 was going into melt down. Without the GFI it could have been a potential disaster, since it happened overnight while everyone was sleeping. . . needless to say everything on my tanks run on GFI's now.

 

[ykh]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I already decided to install GFCI outlets before posting here, just want to make sure I get my money worth and there's no problematic trips by the GFCI

 

[jjjimmy]

Even if it was not necessary (which I firmly believe that they are) with how easily we all put mucho $$$ into our tanks why would you even think about being chincy on a potentially life and house saving device.

Seems like a no brainer to me.

Jimmy

 

[svb57]

I have installed GFCI breakers for all circuits that feed my set up. That way ALL outlets are now procted.

Jim Mc

 

[ykh]

I read that the GFCI breakers are much more expensive than the GFCI outlets. I don't know what's the price difference though. I plan to install 6-8 GFCI outlets, if it costs about the same, might as well just install the breaker.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7463933#post7463933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svb57
I have installed GFCI breakers for all circuits that feed my set up. That way ALL outlets are now procted.

Jim Mc

 

[jjjimmy]

I just bought one this weekend for the mother-in-law. $10 ea.

 

[joroscoe]

one time i woke up at 3am in the morning and the surge protector on my nano was on FIRE!!! it scared the shi+ outta me. next day i installed gfci outlets on all my tanks.

 

[jdhanover]

I am not the expert but you do not need every outlet to be GFCI - just the right one in a circuit and the whole circuit is protected. But someone more knowledgable can fill in the details - not sure but I think if th efirst outlet afterthe main power box is GFCI, then all the other outlet that come off that one are protected.

 

[mm949]

if you are running multiple tanks it would be better to have individual GFCI outlets....you wouldnt want ONE RIO to shut down your entire circuit........you can piggy back a regular outlet w/ gfci if you want to save money.....NEVER use surge strips.....i have over 100 gfci outlets and never had a problem...make sure you match the amps....and make sure u are not overloaded...

 

[ykh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7464825#post7464825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mm949
if you are running multiple tanks it would be better to have individual GFCI outlets....you wouldnt want ONE RIO to shut down your entire circuit........

I agree on this.

you can piggy back a regular outlet w/ gfci if you want to save money.....NEVER use surge strips.....i have over 100 gfci outlets and never had a problem...make sure you match the amps....and make sure u are not overloaded...

Can you please tell me how to piggy back a regular outlet w/ gfci? I've been using extension cords & surge strips

Thanks.

 

[besl]

It's really just a case of wiring the outlets in parallel with one of them being a GFCI outlet.

 

[svb57]

This also will trip all outlets at same time. But it is cheaper then putting in a GFCI.

 

[DougSupreme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7464984#post7464984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by besl
It's really just a case of wiring the outlets in parallel with one of them being a GFCI outlet.

Actually, you must wire through the GFI and then every receptacle after that is wired in parallel.

A GFI has two sets of terminals: Line and Load (in and out) The wires coming from the panel or previous receptacle go in the line terminals and the wires heading down the line go into the Load terminals.

 

[jdhanover]

"Match the amps" - I will have 2 20 amp circuits; the GFCI are rated 15 - is that not OK?

 

[Bryan89]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7468012#post7468012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdhanover
"Match the amps" - I will have 2 20 amp circuits; the GFCI are rated 15 - is that not OK?

No, you need 20A GFCI outlet, or you will be exceeding the rating of the GFCI outlet because all outlets must go through the GFCI to provide ground protection. Or, you can buy a 20A ground fault breaker and all outlets will be ground protected on the 20 amp line. I put 5 20A ground breakers in my system.

From what i understand (from electrician neighbor), the ground fault breakers are less likely to fail and inadvertently trip. That being said, the one time I dropped a single drop of salt water on a the copper portion of a plug that was not fully inserted, I tripped the ground fault breaker. Seemed like pretty good protection to prevent me from dying.

To answer your earlier question, I believe that my breakers were about $40 each, or $200 for my entire setup. It is much cheaper to use GFCI outlets.

Bryan

 

[MBasile]

i took mine off cause they would trip constantly with the lights and everything. as a safety precaution i do have a smoke alarm above the tank though :- )

 

[Freed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7468556#post7468556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigbadbasile
i took mine off cause they would trip constantly with the lights and everything. as a safety precaution i do have a smoke alarm above the tank though :- )

All I can say is Oh my God as I smack myself in the head and roll my eyes.