Custom Control Panel: Any Electricians Out There????

[The_Browns]

I have put together a DIY control panel for my 72g tank. I want to know if there is any kind of fire hazard with my design. I have the panel connected to a dedicated GFI outlet which is on a 15A circuit. Any electricians out there give some comments. The panel works just fine and every switch and outlets works as planned.


The panel cut out and me putting in the switches and outlets.

Made a box frame and used a grove this way the final panel with all the switches and outlets can slide into the frame. This show just shows one edge with the slot in it.

After all outlets and switches have been installed. The wiring was done right after.

A shot from the front after everything has been done.

A shot of our labeling

This shot demonstrates how the front panel slid into the groves.

The tank mounted on the wall

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Everything looks O.K. The 15 A circuit you have this on try to designate it to that alone although my no be necessary. Meaning try to put the tank switch panel on that circuit by itself. Locate the circuit in the panel and try to put any other things if any that are on it on a different circuit if your concerned. Chances are that if the circuit hasn't popped your ok. You could try to find the wire in the panel and see if its hot ( CAUTION) would not do without being real comfortable with electricity. Locate wire first grab flashlight Shut power down feel it, if its hot its probably overloaded. It may not pop if its just boarder line overloaded. Have had some pretty hot wires that where not popping. Switched around just for comfort. Again that just so you can sleep at night probably not an issue if not popping. You could have put all GFI outlets in the panel in case one blew it wouldn't shut everything down just that one Just a thought. Nice Work Looks Good!

 

[The_Browns]

Also I did not put the switches/outlets in plastic boxes, should this be a concern?

 

[TheReefKeeper]

It looks like you have it mounted to the wall right. And it in a GFI outlet right.(all GFI'S would have helped here) WELL THE PLASTIC BOXES WILL PROBABLY DO NOTHING if water seeps behind it chances are it will get in the boxes. They are not water tight. You could probably just get a piece of wood cut to the size of the box put some foam window sealer the kind that's like Tape sticky on one side foam on the other outline the wood panel and screw the back panel on. Kind of like a big outdoor outlet plate.

 

[The_Browns]

All GFI would be expensive, Plus the box is caulked to the wall. That is why I made a panel that slid in so all I have to do is remove the top piece (which is not caulked) off the frame, and slide out the panel which has all outlets and wires.

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Oh yea the plastic boxes also help the wires from touching each other. You obviously have that covered because it all works so no concern. Just pay close attention to that too.

 

[TheReefKeeper]

When where talking Electricity,Fire expensive shouldn't ever come up. Again you where concerned with safety. Just trying to cover every area the more layers of safety you have the better off you are. Although some are not needed if your comfortable then its good. If the box is mounted to the wall and cocked it should be O.K. Just be cautious!

 

[The_Browns]

Understand. But everything is wired to one main plug which is going to a GFI so all the outlets in the box will act as a GFI from what I was told. IF water happen to hit the outlet, the main GFI should trip and cut all power to the box.

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Yes. Your covered. Like I said I'm Just adding layers of safety. If one fail another will catch it. Don't worry you should be good. I would be more concerned with the wires being hot at the panel. Even that your probably still O.K.. Don't mean to scare you just laying out some options for your safety. Worse case scenario would be putting a 20 amp in no big deal probably no necessary though.

 

[The_Browns]

No NO, I REALLY aprreciate your concern. I will definitly check the wires at the box itself. You are talking about the Breaker Box correct?

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Yes, Follow the instructions above for checking and you should be O.K. Let me know.

 

[Slphappy]

I think you'll be OK. You don't have any pics of the actual wiring, but as long as you kept the hots separate from the neutrals and grounds, you'll be alright...

Some things to keep in mind:
It's definitely not code... Later on down the road if you do something to the house that requires an inspection (an addition or going to sell), the inspector will most likely make you rip it out or rebuild it so that it meets code.

Also since it is on one 15A GFCI circuit: if something trips the GFCI the whole panel is down... I'm sure you already knew that...

Lastly, Please watch how you load the circuit. A 15A circuit can handle 1800 Watts (I think code actually restricts that to 80% loading or 1440 Watts). So make sure not to exceed the 1440 Watts with everything you have plugged into it. An electrical fire would really suck.

Good luck and all...

Todd

 

[sanababit]

hello mr brown, how much money did you spend to put your panel togheter?

 

[::PixelFish::]

I have a similar set up attached to my stand that plugs into a gfci. My box is enclosed though on all sides and caulked to make sure that no water can get inside. I would recommend you do that because it's amazing how much water splashed in the tank especially when you have your hands in there doing water changes and moving stuff around.

 

[TheMcs]

That's a big power strip.

 

[The_Browns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11837863#post11837863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sanababit
hello mr brown, how much money did you spend to put your panel togheter?

About $50

 

[reptilemanmark]

The boxes behind the switches and receptacles is a code requirement. The boxes are to prevent fire from getting on combustable materials like wood, dry wall, some types of insulation. You should never have exposed wires or receptacles in the walls. You may never have a problem but if you do and the insurance company finds this setup to be the cause, they would probly not pay the claim. Just my thoughts (Licensed Electrician in New Jersey)

 

[TheReefKeeper]

reptilemanmark-Do you think that would pass code and if a fire broke out it would it be covered if a fire breaks out?

 

[The_Browns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11838892#post11838892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reptilemanmark
The boxes behind the switches and receptacles is a code requirement. The boxes are to prevent fire from getting on combustable materials like wood, dry wall, some types of insulation. You should never have exposed wires or receptacles in the walls. You may never have a problem but if you do and the insurance company finds this setup to be the cause, they would probly not pay the claim. Just my thoughts (Licensed Electrician in New Jersey)

So, if I was do add boxes for each switch and outlet it would be to code?

 

[TheReefKeeper]

Good question! That's a question reptilemanmark will have to answer I'm not Licensed. I would think not. But then again I could be wrong. Lets wait and see what mark says. I'm curious.