Ups + Gfci?

[-=Zepplock=-]

I just got a UPS and was wondering if I should connect it through GFCI or not.

The plan is to have return pump, powerhead and heater on UPS. But these are the most important elements that MUST be on GFCI.

Any ideas?

 

[nashorn]

I use a GFCI on my unit.Picked up from Homedepot.

 

[-=Zepplock=-]

How do you have it connected?

Wall Outlet -> GFCI -> UPS -> Pumps

right?

 

[nashorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10157400#post10157400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by -=Zepplock=-
How do you have it connected?

Wall Outlet -> GFCI -> UPS -> Pumps

right?

Almost but - its wall-UPS-GFCI-pumps

 

[650-IS350]

its wall-UPS-GFCI-pumps ??????

 

[funman1]

Wall Outlet -> GFCI -> UPS -> Pumps
Is the smart way.

If the GFCI trips, then your tank will continue to have power till the UPS dies at least.

ALSO... Check to make sure your pumps can run on BATTERY on the UPS.

MANY pumps will not run at all or very poorly, because UPS's put out square waves, NOT sine waves.
MANY motors do not take this very well.

Check before you assume it will "just work"

Plug all your stuff in and then trip the GFI or simply unplug the UPS and see how well your pumps run..

 

[-=Zepplock=-]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10160487#post10160487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
Wall Outlet -> GFCI -> UPS -> Pumps
Is the smart way.

If the GFCI trips, then your tank will continue to have power till the UPS dies at least.

ALSO... Check to make sure your pumps can run on BATTERY on the UPS.

MANY pumps will not run at all or very poorly, because UPS's put out square waves, NOT sine waves.
MANY motors do not take this very well.

Check before you assume it will "just work"

Plug all your stuff in and then trip the GFI or simply unplug the UPS and see how well your pumps run..

Hm, but in this case if GFCI trips coz of a short then UPS will continue supplying power and you (or your fish) get shoked, isnt it?

 

[Reefugee]

I agree with Zepplock on this. It should go Wall Outlet --> UPS --> GFCI --> pumps . If you have it the other way - you can still get a shock from the UPS. Steve brings up a good point about true sine wave ups.

 

[funman1]

Actually if the UPS is suppling the sole power NOT pluged in.
Then you CAN'T get shocked between ground and hot.

Because the UPS uses a transformer the only way to get hit would be to be caught between the neutral and the hot.
This would be VERY hard if not impossible to happen.

If you're going to get shocked in a tank it's because you are grounded and the tank is hot.

With a transformer brought into the equation you can't get shocked from hot to ground anymore.

This is why ALL hospital equipment is required to NOT ground the Isolation transformers, so that you can't get shocked if the hospital bed has shorted out hot and you touch a ground while touching the bed.

 

[650-IS350]

Ok, so what UPS would folks suggest to get, I'm running Hydor korialis #4's in my tank and a EBO Jager HEater

 

[sfsuphysics]

Personally I think getting shock is a nice little way to know something is wrong with your tank's equipment

 

[Kinetic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10163423#post10163423 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
Personally I think getting shock is a nice little way to know something is wrong with your tank's equipment

hmm... now we know what mike likes

 

[-=Zepplock=-]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10164092#post10164092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kinetic
hmm... now we know what mike likes

... those dirty physicists ;-)

 

[Reefugee]

Steve,

Thanks for edumacating me.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10162530#post10162530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
Actually if the UPS is suppling the sole power NOT pluged in.
Then you CAN'T get shocked between ground and hot.

Because the UPS uses a transformer the only way to get hit would be to be caught between the neutral and the hot.
This would be VERY hard if not impossible to happen.

If you're going to get shocked in a tank it's because you are grounded and the tank is hot.

With a transformer brought into the equation you can't get shocked from hot to ground anymore.

This is why ALL hospital equipment is required to NOT ground the Isolation transformers, so that you can't get shocked if the hospital bed has shorted out hot and you touch a ground while touching the bed.

 

[Reefugee]

Steve,

Thanks for edumacating me.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10162530#post10162530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
Actually if the UPS is suppling the sole power NOT pluged in.
Then you CAN'T get shocked between ground and hot.

Because the UPS uses a transformer the only way to get hit would be to be caught between the neutral and the hot.
This would be VERY hard if not impossible to happen.

If you're going to get shocked in a tank it's because you are grounded and the tank is hot.

With a transformer brought into the equation you can't get shocked from hot to ground anymore.

This is why ALL hospital equipment is required to NOT ground the Isolation transformers, so that you can't get shocked if the hospital bed has shorted out hot and you touch a ground while touching the bed.

 

[funman1]

No problem Mihn


There is a method to my madness..
heheh (Aleast....... I think there is???......)

 

[Kinetic]

I always hear of GFCI's sometimes falsely tripping, leaving tanks down for hours / days. A UPS would definitely help!!!

I installed a GFCI in the wall, I'll probably need to find a place for the UPS...