Electrical question (GFCI's)

reepks

New member
Hey all, :wavehand:
I am looking to make some safety improvements to the way my electrical components are plugged in behind my tank. Currently the outlets behind the tank are not GFCI. With the way the tank is situated It would be a nightmare to replace the current outlet. My plan is put an in-use waterproof cover over the outlet and use either an in-line GFCI cord set or GFCI power strip.
I have been searching online and found a power strip that would work well for my purpose but it doesn't say it has a built in GFCI. It says it has dual circuit breakers. Can anyone explain the difference to me?
The other question I have is, can I put my Metal Halides on a timer with something like this? Other ideas and suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

this is the link to the product in question
 
well circuit breakers arnt as sensitive to Grounding out the connections. GFI ground fault interrupter trips as soon as any hint of ground is connect to either power lead. this is why they are put in bathrooms and kitchens. i do believe there is and actually GFI breaker that you can put into your breaker box for the circuit that the fish things are on.
 
GFI is a ground fault interupter circiut. That means that if it senses a "fault" in the grounding it will turn off the circiut. A circiut breaker is designed to shut down the circiut if the current exceeds a specified amount. For example 12 gauge wires will start to get hot if more than 20 amps of current is flowing thorough the wire and poses a fire hazard. Therefore a circiut made with 20 gauge wire should have a time delay 20 amp breaker. If the current exceeds 20 amps the breaker will trip and shut things down.

The function of the two is completely different one protect against circiut overload and one protects against a ground short. As mentioned in the previous post you can replace a circiut breaker with a combo breaker/GFI. It is easy to do but will put the entire circuit on the GFI which may cause problems with some electronic devices and are not fully compatible with GFIs. A combo beaker/GFI will cost double a wall GFI. You can connect a GFI so that two additional duplex outlets down stream can be connected to the GFI. Most code requires any outlet within 3 feet of a sink, toilet, bath, shower, ... to be GFI.

Hope that helps,
Dave
 
Thanks for the clarification guys. It sounds like it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a GFI and a power strip with the built in breakers. I think I may get the inline GFI extension cord and use the power strip with the dual breakers.

Any thoughts on using some sort of timer on metal halides? I have 2 250W halides with ice cap ballast. Ever since I upgraded to the ice caps It keeps burning out the built in timers in my power strips. Having the lights on timers makes life SO much easier.
 
most timers burn out quickly with halides on them... Harbor freight has some digital ones that work well.... but still burn out eventually. Otherwise I'd suggest an aqua controller
 
I think I actually have one of those around from my old 29 if you're interested. It only ever had PC ballasts on it.... but if I remeber correctly it's only day/night... IE the white outlets are always on... and then it's either the yellows are on, or the blacks are on... never both on or both off.
 
I've seen those power strip timers from zilla and coralife and almost purchased one until I came across several threads like this one
After reading the same thing from several people I don't think I'm willing to risk it. I hate to admit it but I get pretty nervous around the halides. The rest of my tanks have power compacts and regular fluorescents and don't make make me nearly as nervous. :worried:
 
Jackson. yea the mechanical ones are just like any other mechanical one...they suck... as for the thread you posted, can we say salt water? its amazing what a little maintance and clean up will do for a tank and a house. always make a loop so water doesnt flow into the power strip, theres a reason they say that...lol..
 
Timers will work on MH fixtures as mine have been for many years. I never had one burn out yet but most timers for home use are for 600 watts. If you go over that or even close to that, the contacts will burn out in a few years. You will be better off with a 1200 watt timer but they cost a little more.
 
I just found this timer with a built in GFI....
intermatic_p1161.gif

Heavy Duty Outdoor Timer P1161
This Portable Outdoor Timer is specially designed to control the filter pump of a portable pool or spa. They can also be used to turn ON and OFF outdoor decorations, engine block heaters and other appliances - indoors or outdoors.

Product Specs
120 Volt
Case "“ 5" (12.7 cm) high x 5-1/2" (14 cm) wide x 3-3/4" (9.5 cm) deep
Cord "“ 3 wire, outdoor grade, 22" long
Timer "“ 24 hr. with 23-1/2 hr. maximum ON time.
Switch Rating "“ 15 Amp resistive or tungsten
Shipping Weight "“ 1.7 lbs (0.8 kg)
Agency Approval "“ CSA/C-US​


It will kill 2 birds with one stone. I would have to attach a power strip to it so I can add both halides and a fan.
Anyone have any experience or thoughts about these?
 
Timers will work on MH fixtures as mine have been for many years. I never had one burn out yet but most timers for home use are for 600 watts. If you go over that or even close to that, the contacts will burn out in a few years. You will be better off with a 1200 watt timer but they cost a little more.

Hay cool, Paul stopped by! I don't know much about this particular subject but if any of you guys haven't checked out Paul's fish tank you should! It's sweet :thumbsup:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727454
 
wow! Paul, That is a beautiful tank!

Thanks for the info also! I guess I made a wrong assumption that just because they are 3 prong and grounded that they would be for appliances and be able to handle the lights.....thats what I get for assuming!!! LOL
 
my guess is that because it doesn't show or talk about a plug that this would be a strait inline wiring timer. you would need to get a 3 prong receptacle to run out of it and then you could put a power strip on it.
 
Paul stopped by!

Well I do live in the North East. Isn't this the North East Region club?
I never look at that stuff but if something sounds like I may know something about the topic, I drop in. I was an electrician for 40 years so I figured I may know a couple of things about a timer.
Take care.
Paul
 
Well I do live in the North East. Isn't this the North East Region club?
I never look at that stuff but if something sounds like I may know something about the topic, I drop in. I was an electrician for 40 years so I figured I may know a couple of things about a timer.
Take care.
Paul

You are welcome here anytime! It's always good to have new visitors :)

By the way, your tank was a big inspiration for my current tank. I love all of the gorgonians you have, and I have been following your thread since the threads beginning. I have been trying to do a similar thing with my tank.
 
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