Electrical extensions with multiple plugs

[callsign4223]

This should do what you are looking for. It has a 9ft cord, 6 receptacles, and the whole thing is gfci protected.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=18FET1YYCZHAY5CEVRXE

 

[Coelli]

Deleted! My bad.

 

[Toddrtrex]

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

If the outlet doesn't have that cut out (( regardless of being GFCI or not )), they outlet is 15 amp --- not to say that they wires and breaker aren't rated for 20, but the outlet itself isn't.

Here are 2 20 amps in my basement for my home theater, can see that both have the cut outs.

What kind of lights do you have? Some T5s have been reported to cause issues with GFCI outlets. I have mine (( ATI 8*80 )), plugged into a non-GFCI outlet, along with my main pump (( actually plugged into my of my EB8s )).

 

[Coelli]

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.

I just double-checked and it IS the same Tripp-Lite strip; mine is the 25GF because of the 25 foot cord. If power is interrupted even momentarily, even without a surge, it won't power back on when the power resumes. Just wanted to clear that up in case anyone comes across the thread in a future search.

 

[Tigerdragon]

By chance are you running a chiller? With current load on circuit when your chiller kicks in it will surge a lot of times above rating and trip the breaker before it levels out. Had this issue myself

 

[Osama]

Todd I thank you I now realize that I have one with GFCI that is 20amps but is only accepting less power than 14amps. I will double check that input wattage and will most likely replace both receptacles with 20amps new ones, ordered today...
Is the extension strip dkeller suggested above OK for reef tanks? "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."
thanks to ALL.

 

[smmiller506]

Osama, before you replace your outlets, verify two things - 1, that your circuit breakers are indeed rated for 20 amps, and 2, that you have 12 gauge wiring. If you just had the wiring installed with the tank, then the protective jacket on the wiring should be yellow, like this. If it is white, or you do not have 20 amp breakers, do NOT install the 20 amp outlets.

Also, outlets do not trip when overloaded, only circuit breakers and fuses protect from overloaded conditions. If your GFCI outlet is tripping, you have an issue with a piece of equipment going bad. Inspect your equipment.

 

[97dezertranger]

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!!

No problem at all. Looks like the power strips on amazon seem to be quite the deal. May after order one or two myself.
Good luck hope you get it resolved soon.

 

[Osama]

No problem at all. Looks like the power strips on amazon seem to be quite the deal. May after order one or two myself.
Good luck hope you get it resolved soon.

Which ones are U getting from Amazon? or did U mean Loews?

 

[Osama]

Also, outlets do not trip when overloaded, only circuit breakers and fuses protect from overloaded conditions. If your GFCI outlet is tripping, you have an issue with a piece of equipment going bad. Inspect your equipment.[/QUOTE]
I have 3 EB8s. If I plug the third one in a different THIRD (non tank dedicated circuit) all is good. If I plug the third one in the dedicated circuit with GFCI it blows the GFI. If I plug into the other dedicated circuit without GFCI it blows a fuse on the electrical strip extension... So equipment is OK since it is working when not on same dedicated circuit. Now not sure what the problem is: Bad outlet(s) or bad witing.. Circuit brkrs in basement are 20amps as stamped on the brkrs. House fuse box has a house fault protection recently installed when I added a 20KW generator

 

[Osama]

By chance are you running a chiller? With current load on circuit when your chiller kicks in it will surge a lot of times above rating and trip the breaker before it levels out. Had this issue myself

No chiller on my system at all. I had an 800watts heater that is now disconnected and replaced by a 500W

 

[dkeller_nc]

To be honest, and since you've a relatively large budget (a 20 kW whole-house generator doesn't come cheaply), I'd suggest you spend $150 and have a good electrician come out to your house, troubleshoot your tank's circuit breaker tripping, remove the GFCI outlet and, if you want GFCI, install GFCI-protected circuit breakers in your electrical distribution panel. I say hire an electrician to troubleshoot because having a 20 amp breaker trip with only an 11 amp load is a bad sign - you've got something wrong in the circuit, perhaps badly wrong, and you don't want it to cause a fire.

This is for everyone reading this thread trying to select their power distribution equipment (not just the OP):

I can't emphasize this more strongly - do not purchase outlet strips that are either "surge protected" or "GFCI protected"; they are not appropriate for reef tank use, and there's an excellent possibility of a nuisance trip that could kill everything in your tank. If you want GFCI protection (many of us with electrical backgrounds don't use them), then get someone with the appropriate knowledge to install a GFCI breaker in your electrical distribution panel.

 

[Osama]

Greatly appreciate your observations "dkeller".
1. So buy metal extension strips with only built in circuit brkr is OK. (OR NO CIRCUIT BRKRS either)
2. Remove the GFCI outlet (one circuit has it and the other circuit does not)
3. Even though the whole Hse fuse box has protection. Is it better to still replace the 20 amps circuit brkrs with ones that have GFCI or leave them be
4. How reliable are amps data from EB8s?

 

[uncleL]

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

Harbor Freight has 12 outlet 4' power strip 15 AMP circuit breaker, Watts 1875, AC Volts 125 $30.00

 

[uncleL]

Harbor Freight has 12 outlet 4' metal power strip, 15 AMP circuit breaker, watts 1875 AC Volts 125 $30.00

 

[dkeller_nc]

I'm not sure you can buy an outlet strip that doesn't have a circuit breaker, you just don't want one that has a "surge protector" or a "GFCI protector" (you want to do the GFCI protection at the circuit box, if you choose).

I've honestly not seen a whole-house GFCI (perhaps it's the main breaker that feeds the house, typically 2 or 3 100 amp breakers in an outside box). For now, I'd leave the GFCI breakers in the box, I'd just get rid of the GFCI outlets/outlet strips.

 

[Osama]

dkeller .. When we got the generator installed; we elected to add a whole House " Complete Home Surge Protection - CHSP " by Eaton.. for added safety

 

[Jlentz]

Have you tried plugging one thing at a time into the gfci outlet to figure out exactly what is tripping it?

From all the other stuff going on I'd definitely get an electrician in to look over everything.

 

[Osama]

To ALL: tomorrow I will be having a procedure to check out my stomach... Reefing in retirement cannot be the cause...
I have segregated the load meanwhile over the two dedicated circuits and a third house shared outlet and everything is working without the 800 W heater for now. Need to see how it will be at mid day tomorrow when the lights are at a max.
Then after tomorrow's recovery I will be moving one item at a time into the dedicated two circuits off the third shared house outlet.. Will have to do that at mid day as well, again to check things out when power usage is at a max...
Appreciate all the help and any other advice / suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated.THANKS TO ALL
By the way what I thought was the culprit ( an extension strip) is actually fine, not causing a trip and handling the load it had on it from before...!!!
Will know more after a couple of days from tomorrow...

 

[dkeller_nc]

dkeller .. When we got the generator installed; we elected to add a whole House " Complete Home Surge Protection - CHSP " by Eaton.. for added safety

Keep in mind that this is not the same thing as a GFCI. It's just surge protection that shunts large over-voltages well in excess of 120/240V, so it protects your electronics, but that's not the same thing as GFCI, which measures the difference between current flowing over the hot and neutral. If those currents aren't the same, the assumption is that some of this current is leaking to ground through a shorted device (or possibly an aquarist), hence the name "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter".