Your Electrician Here

I have yet another GFCI question. I am going to install a GFCI outlet for my aquarium. The house is an older one with 2 wire circuits. I was expecting to have to run a new 3 conductor line from the electrical box to the outlet. However I recently found a GFCI outlet at Walmart( GE model GFR5262). The instructions indicate that it can be installed on a 2 conductor by grounding it to the box. Can it really be that simple? Sounds too good to be true.
 
GFCI measures voltage difference between hot and neutral. Voltage going out needs to be same and voltage coming back (easiest way to explain it) within .006 volts. If you have a voltage leak to ground somewhere else regardless if the outlet is grounded or not the GFCI will trip.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9639785#post9639785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by magnon
Ok I think I understand but is that safe for the aquarium operation?
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Yes but would also suggest installing ground probe in tank and grounding out to lug.
 
Hi people I am on vacation in the island of Gunga Murunga. Will be back Monday to answer all your questions my fellow reefers. Meanwhile i would like to thank my fellow electricians for helping to answer some of this difficult technical question. See you soon.
 
Gunga Murunga? Doesn't that mean "When you die on your deathbed you will receive total consciousness" ? So I guess you have that going for you.

Peter
 
Yes I like Reef Zaper. Thanks for being there for us. I'll wait till the traffic slows then I might have a few questions for you. Thank again.
 
No one answered my question so I'll try again: is there something that you can put over the outlet to protect it (something like a canopy)?
 
148414outlet_640.jpg


My outlet is behind my tank also. I got this water proof outlet from Home Depot for $10.89
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9674198#post9674198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by awestruck
No one answered my question so I'll try again: is there something that you can put over the outlet to protect it (something like a canopy)?
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Hi ewe :D Are you talking about the little white things tha stop kids from inserting things in a receptacle?:smokin: sorry I took too long to answer you but I am going crazy doing things in the house.:eek1:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9676808#post9676808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChiiBear
148414outlet_640.jpg


My outlet is behind my tank also. I got this water proof outlet from Home Depot for $10.89
Click to expand...
That cover will do fine as long as you have a GFI
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9622764#post9622764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aliie
Hi there! I tested the Nanocube and the readings varied from .1 to .5 and it flips up and down. Just to make sure I did it right I did test the plug and it read just over 120 volts.

So it looks like I need a tank grounding rod. ANY sugestions as to the type/style or anything else?

Thanks for your help. Now I know why my fish die.
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Can someone tell me if this os what I need to do please. Is a grounding rod the answer to this problem?
 
Hey everyone, thanx for your replies. Those covers are exactly what I'm looking for. Two years ago my old protein skimmer started leaking, but it was such a slow leak that I didn't notice it. The water from the skimmer was running down the wall near the outlet. Well, I surely noticed the leak when fire (and I mean fire, not smoke) started shooting out of the outlet. I cannot tell you how frightened I was. So, tomorrow I am going to buy one of those cover things. BTW, hi O, how are you?! How are your plans coming along for the brain corals! :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9678817#post9678817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aliie
Can someone tell me if this os what I need to do please. Is a grounding rod the answer to this problem?
Click to expand...
Any kind of a stainless steel grounding probe will eliminate that voltage leakage.
 
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