GFCI Tripping

[summitk]

Dear Fellow Reefers,

I am at wit's end with my GFCI (plug-in type that fits over a wall outlet and has 8 plugs on it). It has led to a tank that trips almost nightly, and also sometimes during daylight hours. I only have a Mag 7, two Maxi 1200s, a Coralife Super skimmeR 65 and refugium light plugged into it (via a power strip). I took a multimeter to the tank yesterday and found my heater leaking 20V, so I removed it. The tank has tripped twice since then. I do have a titanium grounding probe plugged into the system, and am now thinking that the GFCI may need [to be] replaced.

I just don't want to blame the safety mechanism instead of worrying about something scary going on under the hood.

If I do need one, are there any suggestions about which one to get? I can't replace the plug with one as it is behind the tank an unable to be accessed.


Thanks for your help,

Summit

 

[bmiller1234]

Do you know where the power comes from to that plug? You can put a true gfi upstream of you tank. Similar to a kitchen that has one gfi that covers three outlets. If you can't do an upstream gfi I would recommend a DJ power strip. A lot of us are using them and they are reasonably priced and give you individual switches for each device. Very nice to just switch off powerheads rather than unplug. You can find them on Amazon for like thirty bucks.

 

[acer]

Yes- replace the GFI - I have read that once tripped they are no longer reliable = trip really easy and for no reason.

 

[bnmir]

are you sure none of the powerheads are leaking voltage?
Also - I don't believe the DJ switch is a gfci.

 

[cloakerpoked]

A DJ switch should have a breaker in it, but it isn't intended to be a safety feature like the GFCI should be. As Ted and Brian stated, an upstream GFCI unit in the wall would be my first resolution to this problem. A GFCI should be replaced after it has been tripped. This may be what is causing your problem. If it isn't, but your GFI is tripping around the same time each day, the most likely culprit would be something that runs intermittently (such as lights on a timer, or heaters) that are pulling too much current. How much current is on your current circuit. Do you know for sure that the microwave isn't on the circuit (contractors do really weird things in houses with wiring sometimes, trust me on this).

 

[bmiller1234]

No the DJ power strip is just a breaker to prevent over draw. Phone auto filled in that sentence. If you CAN put in an upstream GFI then use a DJ.

You can also get a GFI breaker that goes into your main breaker box. These are commonly used for pools and outdoor electrical service. They have a GFI breaker in them that will trip immediately. This is a slightly easier but more expensive fix as the breaker is a bit more than just a new gfi plug.

I run a GFI outlet and the GFI breaker, dropped a t5 fixture into my tank while I had my hands in it and didn't even feel a tingle but it tripped both which was surprising.

Along with what cloak was saying it could be drawing a surge at certain times and causing the trip also. Not even something on that circuit specifically but if you get a draw of lack of draw that causes a slight surge it can trip the gfi. My kitchen used to trip if I opened both garae doors at the same time!!