GFCI Outlet Question

[ReefTron5000]

Dumb question incoming. If I have a GFCI outlet and I plug a very basic surge protector into it and then plug the Apex into that surge protector, am I still getting the benefits of the GFCI outlet?

Reason I ask is the outlet I need to use is super close to the back of my stand so I need to use one of those flat connectors to the wall. The Apex plugs are huge.

 

[AdamSabina]

Dumb question incoming. If I have a GFCI outlet and I plug a very basic surge protector into it and then plug the Apex into that surge protector, am I still getting the benefits of the GFCI outlet?

Reason I ask is the outlet I need to use is super close to the back of my stand so I need to use one of those flat connectors to the wall. The Apex plugs are huge.

Yes. The ground is tied thought the GFCI.


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[ReefTron5000]

Ok thanks, I feel better knowing I can kind of daisy chain them like that.

 

[scrapz]

Ok thanks, I feel better knowing I can kind of daisy chain them like that.

Depend on what you plug into your apex, a simple trip can shut down your whole system. Personally I would never run a gfci

 

[pga7602]

Depend on what you plug into your apex, a simple trip can shut down your whole system. Personally I would never run a gfci

GFCI protects the cheap human..... Not the expensive tank.

 

[phatsonate]

GFCI protects the cheap human..... Not the expensive tank.

Well put!

If you get a shock from a faulty pump, might think twice about no GFCI. Happened to me many years ago when I put my hand in the sump. Could feel the sensation in my arm for days after.

 

[AdamSabina]

Yes. The ground is tied thought the GFCI.

You can still press reset on the GFCI right?


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[scrapz]

Well put!

If you get a shock from a faulty pump, might think twice about no GFCI. Happened to me many years ago when I put my hand in the sump. Could feel the sensation in my arm for days after.

I always touch the water when I feed. . I've had faulty heaters and returns. Won't lie, when I feel the first shock it takes me another 5 seconds to prepare for the next shock. Its a scary feeling but nothing deadly IME. Nothing dies with stray voltage, things die when there is no power though..

 

[AdamSabina]

I have worked on 4000vac system and I work on 480 system up to 8000 amps daily. That is a 13foot tall electric motor

The second worst electrocution I got was working on my fish tank. 110 kills more electricians than 480... I highly advise a grounding prob for $10. When the water has a charge it will take the shortest path (the probe). This doesn't "œfix" the problem but it will hide small ones and trip your breaker for big ones(ones that CAN kill you).

According to residential code and UL; GFCI is correct way that should be followed around bodies of water. Having said that I have two circuit one is GFCI protected and one that isn't because I don't want the WHOLE system to go down if one little thing happens.


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[phatsonate]

Two circuits- didn't even think of that- sounds like a great solution

 

[AdamSabina]

Two circuits- didn't even think of that- sounds like a great solution

Not my idea but I liked it too. The second circuit only has a return pump. And grounding probe.


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[ReefTron5000]

Thanks Adam!

 

[vee]

I actually have three circuits. Two are on GFCI and one not. In case one trips, the other half is still running. On the non-GFCI are the devices that are not connected to water, the MP40 (to keep flow going) and the DC backup power to my APEX brain.