Pump Tripping GFI

[bheron]

I have a submersible pump - Sedra 5000 - powering my skimmer. i took out the entire skimmer for cleaning. now, when i plug in the pump while its submersed it trips the GFI (so glad I installed them!). I took it out, inspected it, and plugged it in and it still trips it.

Sounds like there's a leak to the motor or something? I dont see any cracks. How do I begin to examine it?

 

[alton]

Replace the pump

 

[dan-in-gr]

Hi, I had a overly sensitive GFI whenever my chiller turned on. The GFI was in the circuit for my electric for the 180 gal setup and was hooked to a regular outlet, but even 8 feet away it still tripped it. Eventually even when my 4 halides turned on it would kick my electric off once in awhile. I had to use a different outlet for my lights and chiller. Replace the GFI with a standard outlet would be my cure, thats assuming your pump is fine.

 

[LargeAngels]

Replace the pump

Yes, replace the pump.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

If I remember, Sedra's don't have a lot of parts. A shaft, some seals and the impeller are about it. I'd pull it apart and check everything, but not sure there's anything that can be easily replaced.

Jeff

 

[bheron]

ok thanks all. thats 2 votes for replacing. so it sounds like there's a leak somewhere? and i dont think its something i can fix myself.

i did learn:
1) its not my gfi. I tried it on a few others and it tripped

2) if the impeller is prevented from turning the pump may trip the gfi? checked this and it trips even when i remove the impeller.

3) picking up the pump by the cord (which i have done in the past) could mess things up.

So I'm gonna let it dry out for a few days and plug it in dry.

will post results here.

thanks all!

 

[LargeAngels]

Don't bother trying to dry it out or trying to fix it. A GFI is a safety device. A pump like that is an electrical device which has been encased in an epoxy to shield it from the water it is submerged in. If that pump trips a GFI outlet then the integrity of that device has been damaged beyond repair. It is not worth the cost of the pump to endager yourself, someone else or killing the tank because it tripped while you were gone.

 

[Forfend]

Never, ever, ever pull by the cord!

 

[bheron]

LargeAngels - thank you. you've said it best. while i dont have the $100 to drop on a new pump its not worth it one bit. just for kicks i'll plug it in after it dries just to see if it still trips.

Forfen --- now I think I now why! Will never do it again.

thanks all