Any Electricians on here???

[Travis Stewart]

Have had my tank running for year and a half. Recently (within last two months) have had my breaker trip randomly throughout the night. Switched some of the equipment over to another outlet to spread out voltage on same circuit, but randomly tripped again today. This is happening very randomly and anytime I flip the breaker back on, everything kicks back on no problem. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Vlad990]

Hey @Travis Stewart my best recommendation would be to check what else is on that circuit. More than likely you have unknowingly plugged something else into that circuit. You can also do an amp draw on that breaker, if it’s anywhere near 80% of what that breaker is rated at it’s overloaded. I’ve run a dedicated circuit to my tank to stop from having any potential headaches. Hope this helps!

 

[Travis Stewart]

Hey @Travis Stewart my best recommendation would be to check what else is on that circuit. More than likely you have unknowingly plugged something else into that circuit. You can also do an amp draw on that breaker, if it’s anywhere near 80% of what that breaker is rated at it’s overloaded. I’ve run a dedicated circuit to my tank to stop from having any potential headaches. Hope this helps!

Thanks for your reply. I’m 100% sure that my tank is only thing into this circuit. Do you go to the breaker box to do an amp draw? Sorry you may have to dumb this down a bit for me lol

 

[JJ440]

Thanks for your reply. I’m 100% sure that my tank is only thing into this circuit. Do you go to the breaker box to do an amp draw? Sorry you may have to dumb this down a bit for me lol

Yes you can do this from the panel box but you will need a meter or tester that can measure amps

 

[sixty_reefer]

It could be any of the equipment that is faulty and causing it to trip. Maybe a good inspection to all plugs could help determine the cause.

 

[JJ440]

If you don't have a meter already its a good investment for any homeowner. I suggest this to all of my friends that have purchased a home as it will pay for itself, save you money and help figure out small electrical issues from time to time. I also agree with @sixty-reefer. Check all of the equipment as a precaution. It may not have a dead short but if there is any type of malfunction, a piece of equipment that is over heating due to malfunction can cause a breaker to trip. After it cools down the breaker can be reset making it seem as though everything is functioning normally until it over heats again. If you happen to get a amp meter, test the circuit with one piece of equipment plugged in at a time and compare it to the max amperage listed on the piece of equipment you are testing. If any of the equipment tested goes over the max amperage its rated for you know you have a problem

 

[GregDaKeg]

Thanks for your reply. I’m 100% sure that my tank is only thing into this circuit. Do you go to the breaker box to do an amp draw? Sorry you may have to dumb this down a bit for me lol

Make sure the wire is not loose on the outlet or breaker. Hope it helps.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I've had breakers go bad as well. Not often on 110v, but it can happen.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Have had my tank running for year and a half. Recently (within last two months) have had my breaker trip randomly throughout the night. Switched some of the equipment over to another outlet to spread out voltage on same circuit, but randomly tripped again today. This is happening very randomly and anytime I flip the breaker back on, everything kicks back on no problem. Anyone have any thoughts?

Make us a list of all you electrical devices to tank.

 

[Vlad990]

^ what they said lol. Home Depot sells multimeters with amp clamps for like $50 but could very likely be a bad connection at outlet or bad device that’s plugged in like sixty and Greg said. If you have the ability to pull the outlet out and inspect it, if there’s any charred sooty black marks it is likely a bad outlet, happens a lot with old outlets and especially outlets that have been “back stabbed” basically wires stuck into the back of the outlet and not bent into a hook and put under the corresponding screws. @Travis Stewart does it trip immediately or does it take some time to trip? If it takes time, it’s very likely it’s a load/device related issue.

 

[NHgoalstop]

You might also want to look into your breakers. If they are old they can wear down over time from being tripped or from people using them like switches. I had one that would constantly trip every time I turned the microwave on. My electrician came over and said it was worn out and switched it with a new one. It has never tripped since.

 

[Travis Stewart]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. Very helpful for me. I currently have two plugs total going into the wall. On one plug, I have two DJ power strips with 4 channels each.

One DJ strip controls my fuge light, a service light used only when doing maintenance, my skimmer and a light.
Other DJ strip has my apex jr, a light,return and doser.

i really dont think it’s equipment malfunction as it’s only tripped my breaker 3 times total in a year and half..

 

[GregDaKeg]

I've had breakers go bad as well. Not often on 110v, but it can happen.

If a breaker trips more than a few times you should replace. It weakens it

 

[Johnd651]

What type of breaker is it? Regular, AFCI, GFCI, CAFCI? Is the outlet GFCI?

Assuming that your equipment and load haven't changed, (other then maybe increased heater usage?) I would start checking wiring and panel.

 

[Travis Stewart]

What type of breaker is it? Regular, AFCI, GFCI, CAFCI? Is the outlet GFCI?

Assuming that your equipment and load haven't changed, (other then maybe increased heater usage?) I would start checking wiring and panel.

man they are regular outlets but I couldn’t tell you what time of breaker it is.Is there a way tell? Lol

 

[Vlad990]

Yellow button on front is gfci, white button on front is afci, purple or green is combination afci/gfci
With it only tripping 3 times in that amount of timeframe, that’s a intermittent load issue, it’s possible you could have a sensitive breaker and for instance, suck up a piece of junk into a pump, it draws more amperage than normal while it’s obstructed, and pop! Backflush clears it and all is well again.

 

[Johnd651]

man they are regular outlets but I couldn’t tell you what time of breaker it is.Is there a way tell? Lol

Usually if says on the breaker in micro print. However, if there's also a light or push button on the breaker, in addition to the handle it's probably one of the FCIs.

Also, if you do replace the breaker, good practice to make sure it's the same brand as the panel, even if other brands fit.

 

[Travis Stewart]

Guessing it’s gfci

 

[Vlad990]

Couldn’t tell for sure, too dang blind without my glasses to read your labels lol but it’s a safe assumption @Travis Stewart

 

[Travis Stewart]

Couldn’t tell for sure, too dang blind without my glasses to read your labels lol but it’s a safe assumption @Travis Stewart

its got little yellow buttons on the “test” switch/button on each breaker if that helps any? Lol