Electrical extensions with multiple plugs

[Osama]

Thanks a lot 'Drag" appreciate all the electrical education here Extremely helpful.. First next step is to buy the better electrical strips and metal is the way to go (contrary to my wrong previous thinking).

 

[morleyz]

If this is going underneath that system or behind it, that shouldn't really be a wet environment, here is a strip outlet that is of serious quality, the features on this outlet can be obtained for much less cost than this one though.
http://www.grainger.com/product/TRI...st=subset&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger

FYI, this power strip is on Amazon for < $50 and is what I'm currently using (TLM812 model).

 

[DragRacinGramps]

Yep that looks like a much better than average multi plug unit. Unfortunately so many people just opt for the $7.99 special and think nothing of it.

 

[DragRacinGramps]

And that's a great deal too, Graingers lists that one on their site at $95.47.

 

[morleyz]

And that's a great deal too, Graingers lists that one on their site at $95.47.

When I looked at the Grainger link, I thought to myself, "Isn't that the same one I have...I swear I didn't pay that much." Turns out I was right.

 

[Osama]

Hi Jeff Which one did U get? How much ? Where from (I am in Palatine IL) ? Are U happy with it?
Thanks

 

[morleyz]

Hi Jeff Which one did U get? How much ? Where from (I am in Palatine IL) ? Are U happy with it?
Thanks

This one: http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-TLM812GF-8-Outlet-Housing/dp/B000WJ7R4G

I'm happy so far, but I've only been using it about 2 months.

 

[Coelli]

I have the 8-outlet Tripp-lite w/ 25ft cord and it's great - BUT. If your power goes out even for a split second, like a flicker during high winds or (like we get here in L.A.) periods of high usage on the grid during summer (brownouts) that strip will trip and not turn back on until a human resets it. After having my tank trip 4 times in one evening recently I took the strip out until I can find a different solution. In the meantime everything from the sump goes up and behind the stand and up about 3' off the ground to a seperate cabinet where the EB8 and an older but reliable metal Fellowe's strip are mounted.

Just thought I'd chip in about that strip - it is very high quality but if it trips while you're on vacation you better have an Apex or something to let you know to call someone to reset it.

 

[DragRacinGramps]

Great point Coelli, what you have is a surge suppressor Model TFM812sa, which should be avoided for reef systems for just the reasons you described, the one I posted the link to is a Model TFM812gf which is a gfic unit with no surge suppressor. Osama the unit I linked in post #19 has no circuit breakers or surge suppression on it. It will not disconnect with the conditions Coelli describes.

 

[SteveZZR]

Forgive my ignorance, but what's the difference between an extension lead and a power strip?

 

[Osama]

Does a receptacle that has two plugs and is rated for 15 amps allows 15 amps into either plug as long as the second plug is not loaded at all OR does each plug has a maximum load at half of the 15 amps... Reason I am asking is my wall plate (I think rated at 15amps) blows once the load from the one and only loaded socket exceeds 10amps (input from EB8 was at something like 10.8 -11.8)

 

[DragRacinGramps]

If the circuit from your breaker box is a 15 amp circuit which will be labeled on the breaker in the box, the total draw for that circuit is 15 amps total. it shouldn't be tripping the breaker at less than 12 amps total. Now there is probably other outlets on that circuit from the breaker box and if you are running other things on that circuit that total up more than 15 amps with what you are plugging in for the aquarium that would make it trip. When you say the wall plate blows, is the wall plate a gfi with a reset and test button on it, or is it a standard wall outlet?

 

[dkeller_nc]

For outlets that are on a 15 amp circuit breaker, the total electrical load for all outlets on the entire circuit must not exceed 15 amps. The guideline for full-time load on a circuit is 80% of rated capacity. So for a 15 amp circuit, you want the total of all attached electrical equipment that's operating continuously to 80% of 15 amps, so no more than 12 amps.

In the example you describe, I'd bet that there's more than one outlet on that 15 amp circuit in your electrical distribution panel, as an 11 amp load from your EB8 shouldn't have tripped the breaker.

By the way, I use these workshop outlet strips from Lowes - they've six outlets, a metal housing, and a circuit breaker (but not a surge protector) for $12 each.

 

[Osama]

Thanks dkeller and DragRacinGramps... my circuits are each 20amps that I know from the lables on the circuit breakers in the fuse box... Also I am certain that these two circuits have no other load on them other than the fish tank load as they were added new by our installer (new brkrs, new conduits, new wires) .. I do not know the rating on my wall outlet GFCI .. They maybe 15 amps and blowing off at 11-12amps? Is that a possibility?

 

[Osama]

dkeller: Pls how long is the chord on those strips.. need an >8 footer

 

[DragRacinGramps]

dkeller those are the lowest price quality outlet strip I've seen, good find!!!!!
Osama if that circuit is a 20 amp dedicated that's great. That 11.8 amp load should not be tripping it though.

 

[DragRacinGramps]

All of this talk made me add up the total load that I am putting on the circuit that powers my system. When my heater is operating and all the lights are on the total is 11 amps. The only other thing I have on the circuit is a small fluorescent light which is only used occasionally.

 

[Osama]

Yes that's why I am almost sure that the wall plate socket/outlet's GCFI is tripping because it is maxed at 70-80% of 15amps 10.5-12 amps and I am probably just too close to the limit.. I ordered two 20 amps wall sockets to replace whatever is in there so I can use at least 70% of 20amps or 14 amps on each circuit .. Fuse box Brkrs are 20 amps each, so once that wall sockets issue is resolved then I will tackle all the extension strips... THANKS and we shall see what else "POPS" in this hobby

 

[Toddrtrex]

Does a receptacle that has two plugs and is rated for 15 amps allows 15 amps into either plug as long as the second plug is not loaded at all OR does each plug has a maximum load at half of the 15 amps... Reason I am asking is my wall plate (I think rated at 15amps) blows once the load from the one and only loaded socket exceeds 10amps (input from EB8 was at something like 10.8 -11.8)

What does the outlet look like?

Does it have an extra opening?

Like this (( ignore that this is a single ))

That is a 20 Amp outlet. Of course that doesn't guarantee the breaker is 20, but most of the time it is does correctly and it is a 20 amp.

The outlets themselves don't really matter, it is what is all on the circuit that matters.
For my 210 I had 2 20 amp circuits installed (( no real different in the work for 1 or 2 )). The tank is staying way under 16 amps, so I would have been fine with the existing 20 amp circuit. However, that circuit is used by the dinning room and eat in area of the kitchen. When we have people over those outlets are used by items that would have pushed the circuit over 20 amps all together.

 

[Osama]

Thanks Todd .. My wall plate has four outlets. Two on each of the two dedicated 20amps circuits. The dual outlets on the left side have the above configuration with a GFCI that blows off below 11 to 12.5 amps. Nothing else is on those two circuits as they were added (conduit, wires and brkrs) with the installation of this tank. The second set of dual outlets was blowing off as well during the installation so the installer removed the socket with the GFI and placed one without GFI. The looks on those two sockets are different in that they do not have that horizontal cut out. Do not like it without a GFCI