How far do you go...

[Indermark]

to protect your tank from power surges and spikes? I am trying to see what would be a good surge protector for this type of application. Do I really need something that is over $30 dollars? I was just interested in what people are using. Also, are the GFCI built into the surge protectors any good?


Ryan

 

[capncapo]

I think "you get what you pay for " sums it up pretty good.

I guess it also depends on how valuable your equipment and tank inhabitants are to you and how well you are insured.

Any GFCI is better than none but I have seen some that do not like certain equipment and would trip when the equipment was turned on.

 

[Lost His Marbles Name]

I will bite.

look at the joule rating "watt's in American language" higher the better. Now if lightning hit's your house nothing is safe. You can get a whole house surge protector and install it in your main electrical panel. I like the one's with the light because there preaty to look at and if the light quit working that means the surge protector shot craps. Most MOV's "the parts that take the inrush of current and over voltages to ground not through your equipment" can only handle so many small hit's. When you have one that doesn't indacate if it's good or bad you won't know if it is good or bad. If you don't want to go through a hassel installing one in the panel then buy a plug in Monster cable surge protector. They have great ratings and they are cheep on line, "EBAY all they way"

Allway's use a GFI. I have been shocked so many times that I'm now called Crazy Dave to Lost Marbles. I do liked getting shocked. It makes me feel all tingly in side like the first time a kissed a ----------".

Look in to an ARC Fault breaker to.

Don't be scared it's only 120/240-volt, you big baby. I will have capo put diapers on you and feed you beer through a baby bottle. Dave

 

[Indermark]

I was doing volunteer work at a fish store in Fulton Missouri and was shocked really bad by a pump that was leaking some voltage. I think i'll get a surge protector with the little led light to idicate it is still working. I just didn't want to get something too expensive when I really didn't need to

Ryan

 

[capncapo]

Get a grounding probe while you're at it.

 

[DrBDC]

Get the type that goes on the service panel. I was reading some articles on them and the ones ie for computers are actually a waste of money. If the surge protector isn't a certain number of feet from a true ground they are actually not doing much. If I remember correctly it's only about 10 ft. away to be still effective. Then your whole house is good to go including stereo's etc. If you're really paranoid add the other types too.

 

[MoCha920]

try upgrading your fuse panel. instead of it being 15 amps try 20 amps