Rio Just Gave Me A Jolt!

[Bandsaw]

The GFI only trips when the current leaving the hot side of the plug does not match the current comming back to the nutral side. When you get shocked, it just means the current went threw you - not into you and stopped. In this case, if there was no other source of ground, then the current would eventually make its way back to the nutral side of the plug. That's way it's called a "Ground" fault.

You need to ground your tank for the GFI to properly protect the system. In addition, the third prung on the GFI also must be connected to the panel nutral/Ground network properly for the thing to work.

I have had to investigate far to many accidents to know that if the ground network is not kept up and tested, then all of your protection is useless.

 

[jdieck]

Bansaw, just a couple of clarifications. Even if there was no other source of ground the fact that part of the current flow was trough his body is enough to create the unbalance and if there was other source of ground the GFCI just should have tripped as soon as the short ocurred and not until he touch it, this is way I mention the GFCI might be defective.

By the way, the GFCI does not need to be grounded to work properly. Measuring the current between the hot and neutral is all what is needed to detect the ground fault.

I back up the statment that a proper functioning grounding network is vital for properly grounding electrical devices casings that you may touch like hoods, pump casings, ballast bodies etc.

 

[Fred_J]

Recently while in Lowes to pick up a GFCI for my other tank I saw something new (at least to me). I can't remember what it was called but something like a spark arrestor?? I had to ask the employees if what I was buying was an old fashioned GFCI as this new item was right next to them and seemed to serve the same purpose. If I was not having a "senior moment" I would remember the name. It would have been very easy to have picked one of these up and installed it thinking it was a new type of GFCI. It's bugging me now, I'll have to go to Lowes to write down the name and research it.
Anyone know what I'm rambling on about? I swear I was not drinking when I saw it, can't say the same about now. LOL

Fred

 

[tkeracer619]

I use a RIO HF has anyone had any problems with these particular models. I baught a 17HF b4 I read about them being bad. Now i'm stuck with it until the stuff i need to buy is baught and I can spend another 70 bucks on a pump.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6705712#post6705712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fred_J
Recently while in Lowes to pick up a GFCI for my other tank I saw something new (at least to me). I can't remember what it was called but something like a spark arrestor?? I had to ask the employees if what I was buying was an old fashioned GFCI as this new item was right next to them and seemed to serve the same purpose. If I was not having a "senior moment" I would remember the name. It would have been very easy to have picked one of these up and installed it thinking it was a new type of GFCI. It's bugging me now, I'll have to go to Lowes to write down the name and research it.
Anyone know what I'm rambling on about? I swear I was not drinking when I saw it, can't say the same about now. LOL

Fred

You may be talking about an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter. It's function is different to the GFCI. An AFCI actuates in case of a short circuit causing sparks (an Arc) and it is intended to replace the breaker not the GFCI.

 

[BC Sparky]

The older residential grade GFCI receptacles failed closed. Which means that if there was a problem the receptacle still work but the GFCI sensing mechanism did not. The newer ones fail open- basically turn themselves off if the sensing mechanism fails. I would suggest that eveyone ensures they have the newer models. As posted earlier- the GFCI look for a difference on current between the hot and the neutral conductor. This difference would indicate a leakage somewhere. If you have a ground probe in the water this "potential" would have somewhere to go and the GFCI would trip because of the difference in current between the two wires. Unfortunately without a ground probe, you become an alternate path to ground and ubtil the current climbs to the threshold of the device it won't trip. You probably pulled your arm from the water pretty quick so it didn't have much time to react. In theory it will trip before you die but if it is wired wrong or you have a faulty unit...well...glad you are OK. I'd suggest using ground probes in all your tank systems.

 

[Fred_J]

jdieck--That's it.
Thanks
Fred

 

[gdm42001]

I have posted many rantings about Rio Pumps, I have had 2 do the same thing. Below is from my webpage.

http://www.sonic.net/gdm4/RIO.html


You will see I filed a complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commision.

But, because they are less expensive they sell.
I learned my lesson, spend the extra dough up front.

If you have any other Rio's cut the cord off of them, the big ones make good door stops.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6707311#post6707311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fred_J
jdieck--That's it.
Thanks
Fred

:thumbsup: