good resaon for a gfci

[sacfishguy]

when i got home today i found the a major part of my tank off. after a little searching my gfci tripped. the reason was 1 of my heaters fell apart in my tank and the gfci tripped. i installed it about 3 months ago. its nothing fancy but a gfci that plugs in over my regular outlet and expands it to 5 outlets. here is a pic of the heater that i found in the tank...i could only guess what would of happened with out the gfci. thought i would share. :smokin: :smokin: :smokin:

 

[Doahh]

And also a reason to not skimp on important equipment like a heater.

 

[funman1]

heheh yep...
Crazy stuff.

 

[kevin95695]

Someone around here got a nasty zap to the thumb some months back. Ran out and got a GFCI pronto. Lifesaver for you and your reef.

 

[buttons buster]

Where do you get one, and how much do they cost?
Link would be great.

 

[jdieck]

You can get them at your friendly neighborhood hardware store
There are basically two types, those that you put in-wall insted of your normal outlet and those used with an extension cord.
Good ones will cost between 14.00 to 20.00
Some good info here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/99.html

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=11625&minisite=10026

 

[H20Sidhe]

Also Minh did a great step by step installation tutorial-thread awhile back. My GFCI has been a lifesaver a couple of times as well.

 

[D&KSac]

lol home depot. in the electrical section.

 

[Reefugee]

I have had my butt saved a few times because of a GFCI. I think it's absolutely <b><font color=red>STUPID</font></b> not to have a GFCI on your aquarium. You can either replace the the breaker, the outlet or use one of those portable GFCI. There's really no excuse not to have one.

Here's my thread on how to replace an outlet with a GFCI outlet:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=802223&highlight=GFCI

Here's a picture of those plug in GFCI you can purchase. They are cheap now. My first GFCI powerstrip cost me $50. But now I have seen them for a lot less.

Here's Sherie's post on her GFCI experience:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1044707&highlight=GFCI

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10996701#post10996701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H20Sidhe
Also Minh did a great step by step installation tutorial-thread awhile back. My GFCI has been a lifesaver a couple of times as well.

 

[buttons buster]

I think I already have one, but just to make sure, what does it do?

 

[Reefugee]

http://home.howstuffworks.com/question117.htm will explain how it works.

You can verify that your GFCI is working by purchasing a GFCI wiring tester. They are pretty cheap (maybe $15). It will test to make sure your wiring is done properly. It also includes a little button that you press to trip the GFCI. Don't mistaken these for the wiring tester that does not include te GFCI test - look for the button. Here is a picture of mine. It's the red device. I would loan you mine, but I use it a lot.

 

[miracles38]

Also, make sure the plug in type that you buy will automatically come back on if the power goes out in your neighborhood. The one Minh posted will automatically come back on, but regular ones at the home stores probably don't (ones I bought didn't).

 

[Reefugee]

Honestly - the only recepticle GFCI I have installed are Levitons. However, my bathroom has some other generic one, and it doesn't trip when the power goes out. Are you sure that your GFCI is not defective?

 

[funman1]

Uhh I'd say you have some really weird ones if they trip on power failure..
All we install professionally is Levitons.
They are pretty much an industry standard.

I gave away like 5 to the club for raffle prizes about 6-7 months ago..

 

[MandM]

Time for another electrical safety show Steve! Let's get that on the calendar for a future month.