Electrical extensions with multiple plugs

Osama

New member
I have a couple (2-3) extension chords under my DT and one of three such extensions have been identified as the culprit (maybe I will discover other issues) for causing GF/fuse to blow. I checked the two items that were plugged into that extension and they work fine off another extension... My question: Any suggestions as to durable extension chords to buy that can withstand the humidity and some heat under the tanks without self destructing? For info the extension chord plugs into the EB8 in my APEX controller so whenever it blows a fuse it causes several critical items to stop working.. Appreciate and Thank you in advance for your input
 
As a firefighter I cannot stress enough how big of a bad idea extension cords. You shoul use a powers strip that is ul listed and has a gfi.
 
I'd try an outdoor extension crd commonly found at lowes or Home depot. like this http://www.lowes.com/pd_67864-16503...Ntt=cord&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=cord&facetInfo= Just make sure you get one that can handle the amps you are putting through it. For standard household outlets, each 1 amp can handle 110 watts. so the 15 Amp cord is rated for up to 1550 Watts. When in doubt, get the better cord. a few extra bucks to get the higher rated cord could save you're equipment. The outdoor cords are used in inclimate weather, including rain and snow, so high humidity shouldn't be a problem.
 
As a firefighter I cannot stress enough how big of a bad idea extension cords. You shoul use a powers strip that is ul listed and has a gfi.

As an engineer... seriously listen to the man. Buy a power strip. It will protect you, your equipment (you can spring for a surge protector), and it will protect your house and person.
 
Thanks Devastator I will go to Lowes and check out I need an extension with multiple sockets/plugs for the tank
 
Another retired firefighter here, listen to the advice and get a QUALITY power strip, if you can't afford that you shouldn't be in this hobby. But then on the other hand the 10 or so house fires that I went on over my career that were caused by shoddy aquarium wiring practices were pretty much extinguished when the stand collapsed or the tank failed. Your insurance company will cover the smoke and water damage throughout the rest of the home if something like a cheap extension cord fails.
 
Appreciate the advice and believe me I am not trying to be cheap or unsafe. This tank was "professionally designed and installed" I am now just experiencing failures done by professionals. Spent a huge fortune on my tank 500g DT . I am not about to risk my Hse for a cheap extension strip. Need to know what is best out there with four plugs and rated for a fish tank environment, temp and humidity. Cost is not the issue. Help pls if U know where I can get a rated extension strip with four plugs with GFI and all the safety needed... THAT WOULD BE GREATELY APPRECIATED and thanks in advance. A horizontal strip will fit best in my situation.
My Tank
 
Good man!!!!!! Check with a local swimming pool supplier, they may be able to steer you in the right direction, I have relatives in Barrington, I see you are in Platine, I'll see if they know of any local suppliers that may be able to help you.
 
If it's going in what would be considered a wet environment, this is a great choice.
http://www.grainger.com/product/GFCI-Power-Strip-8RG12?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/8RG12_AS01?$smthumb$
 
Thanks a million Drag... Also a local electrical person fellow hobbyist offered to come over and advise on best way to do all that needs to be done to be safe and enjoy the hobby without worrying.. Greatly appreciate the reference sites... For ALL it is best as said above to be safe than sorry. Just bought a fourth EB8 to split the load on each to be well below the capacity of each EB8...
 
By the way - the key word in the description of a quality outlet strip is "metal housing". In a saltwater environment all plugs will develop a corrosion layer between the plug itself and the metal contacts in the outlet. This corrosion layer adds to the resistance in the circuit, and gets quite hot. Eventually the resistance is great enough to cause the outlet to heat beyond the ignition point of a plastic housing, which causes a fire.

Heating is still possible (and eventually inevitable in a humid, salty environment) in an outlet strip that has a metal housing, but in this case, the housing cannot catch fire, just the plastic on the outlet face itself.

The best solution to prevent the whole scenario is to locate the electrical outlets outside the containment area of the sump so that they're not exposed to salt air and high humidity. A less-sure but still a better situation than just plugging everything in is to buy some electrically conductive grease, and apply a light coating to the plug's metal prongs.

Finally, it's an extremely good idea to unplug everything from and outlet strip and examine the plugs for a corrosion layer on a schedule - twice a year when you change your smoke detector batteries is a good frequency. If you find corrosion, clean it. If it's too far gone, replace the plug on the piece of equipment if possible, if not replace the piece of equipment.
 
Thanks dkeller... and I thought I should be avoiding all those metal housing strips.... I will look into electrical conductive grease as well thanks
 
I didnt see exactly where you said the cords were plugged in at. But I figured Id ad my .02 cents. If the plugs are located below the sump I would look into maybe moving all the plugs above the sump line. It sounds pretty redundant. But with all the water and electricity involved in a thriving reef tank especially one of that size It couldnt hurt. I always mount my power strips above the sump line I know it wont help if the tank fails. But if god for bid a bulkhead or pvc pipe give out or if the sump springs a massive leak. You would have been as safe as possible. And there would be no "what if's" after the disaster. Just my opinion.
 
Thanks "97" .. IMO Not possible in my case to locate above the sump ... The extension strips are above the floor level but below the top of the sump. So I am hoping they will be OK... Power transformers for the pumps are on the floor area behind the sump and have potential to get wet if water was to accumulate that high about 2-3 inches... Will see what Matt Jensen the Designer-Installer has to say.. Hse has a full GF protection on the whole fuse box.. if that will save the day!!
 
More great advice from dkellar nc, excellent explanation of resistive heating too, spot on. Osama if you are looking to consider dkellars advice on the metal unit sometimes you have to think outside the box. One of my other hobbies is high end stereo systems and there are excellent multi plug receptacles available in that arena, it's what I use. here is one example, they aren't cheap but very high quality. Also the fact that your whole electrical system in your home is GF protected is a great bonus


http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/109/15224
 
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