GFI's & Grounding Probes

[KarlBob]

Cool topic. How about this scenario:

A standard, off-the-shelf 8-outlet surge protector plugged into a non-GFCI wall outlet. Eight in-line GFCI cords plugged into the surge protector. Eight pieces of tank equipment (lights, powerheads, etc.) plugged into the in-line GFCI cords.

As I understand the situation, the in-line GFCI cords would be running in parallel to each other. Therefore, each in-line GFCI cord would only react if the piece of equipment plugged into that cord passed current to ground. If something were to trip one of the GFCIs while you weren't around, you'd come home to find one component of the tank not running, rather than the entire tank shut down.

Would this work?

My reasoning: My living room (where the tanks are) doesn't have GFCI outlets. I already have a couple of surge bars, and I don't want to put everything on a single GFCI. Therefore, if I put each piece of equipment on its own GFCI, I'm golden. Yes? No? Maybe?

 

[BeanAnimal]

Cool topic. How about this scenario:

A standard, off-the-shelf 8-outlet surge protector plugged into a non-GFCI wall outlet. Eight in-line GFCI cords plugged into the surge protector. Eight pieces of tank equipment (lights, powerheads, etc.) plugged into the in-line GFCI cords.

That will work just fine. Just be aware of three very important things.

1. Many (most) "surge strips" are complete crap and are fires waiting to happen.
2. Many in-line GFCI products are designed for manual reset after a power outage. That is, the TRIP when there is a loss of mains power.
3. Many in-line GFCI products are reported to be MUCH more prone to nuisance tripping than dedicated GFCI receptacles.

As I understand the situation, the in-line GFCI cords would be running in parallel to each other. Therefore, each in-line GFCI cord would only react if the piece of equipment plugged into that cord passed current to ground. If something were to trip one of the GFCIs while you weren't around, you'd come home to find one component of the tank not running, rather than the entire tank shut down.

Correct.

A better solution would be to make your own "power snake" using grey PVC conduit boxes and wet location covers. Wire them up (or get help from an electrician or other qualified person) using SO cord externally, THHN inside and a heavy duty male plug.

 

[Syncere]

Thanks for all the great info BeanAnimal. It is always better to take the time to learn about the precautionary measures that many wouldn't even think about when setting up a new tank. Glad I am doing all my homework on every aspect now than to have a bad experience to learn from.

 

[BeanAnimal]

My pleasure Syncere... the more we all know

 

[KarlBob]

A better solution would be to make your own "power snake" using grey PVC conduit boxes and wet location covers. Wire them up (or get help from an electrician or other qualified person) using SO cord externally, THHN inside and a heavy duty male plug.

Next question: What do SO and THHN stand for?

That sounds like quite a project. Four or five of these with one of these and one of these each, plus the specialized wires, linking pieces of PVC conduit, and a heavy-duty plug. Too bad nothing like this is on the market.

The only down-side of this arrangement is that all of the GFCIs are still paired outlets, meaning that at least two devices shut down when one device shorts to ground.

 

[Reefer Brian]

SO cord=rubber/waterproof cord
THHN wire: rating of the wire jacketing, its a standard solid or stranded wire
All items used to make this 'power snake' are available at a hardware store...

 

[milkman55]

Does an external return pump sitting about a foot away from a basement sump require a GFI? I have all my equipment in and above my tank and sump on GFI except the return. I am nervous about putting every pump on a GFI in case of failure.

 

[ludnix]

Does an external return pump sitting about a foot away from a basement sump require a GFI? I have all my equipment in and above my tank and sump on GFI except the return. I am nervous about putting every pump on a GFI in case of failure.

Seems like if you had a leak or puddle on the floor you'd want some GFI protection if current was coming out of the motor housing hitting the puddle.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Next question: What do SO and THHN stand for?

That sounds like quite a project. Four or five of these with one of these and one of these each, plus the specialized wires, linking pieces of PVC conduit, and a heavy-duty plug. Too bad nothing like this is on the market.

The only down-side of this arrangement is that all of the GFCIs are still paired outlets, meaning that at least two devices shut down when one device shorts to ground.

This is the DIY section

Projects are a means to learning and learning is a means to being informed

Yes, TWO outlets per GFCI, nobody makes a simplex GFCI unit, or DIN RAIL unit. There are FACELESS GFCIs that could be placed in a remote location and wired to duplex receptacles with that have had their tabs split. Too much trouble for a small installation.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Does an external return pump sitting about a foot away from a basement sump require a GFI? I have all my equipment in and above my tank and sump on GFI except the return. I am nervous about putting every pump on a GFI in case of failure.

From a safety standpipe, absolutely.

From a "I don't want a nuisance trip to take down my return pump" perspective... that is your call

 

[KarlBob]

This is the DIY section

True. For the less handy among us, it would be nice if there was a commercial product to do this. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that anyone makes them. Fortunately, we have access to this forum, and the opportunity to become more handy (and safer) by putting something like this together.

Projects are a means to learning and learning is a means to being informed

Yes, TWO outlets per GFCI, nobody makes a simplex GFCI unit, or DIN RAIL unit. There are FACELESS GFCIs that could be placed in a remote location and wired to duplex receptacles with that have had their tabs split. Too much trouble for a small installation.

I would tend to agree (probably moreso if I had the background to understand how much more complicated it would be than the original version), but I guess it could be done if you were that worried about having one GFCI per pump/powerhead/heater/etc.

 

[KarlBob]

Waitaminute. Not true after all. This is the Advanced Topics section, not DIY. Maybe this thread was migrated...