Don't have a GFCI outlet? Get one! Almost died!

[deaclauderdale]

Your post highlights the hidden dangers that we face as reefers. Most of us (myself included) do not have the technical skill or understanding of some who have posted here, but we are faced with this very real danger. I had never considered the danger that friends or family might be exposed too. Very enlightening thread.

Extremely thankful that you are still alive and with us.....who would've thought such a beautiful hobby could actually kill you.

 

[markstubb]

I wanted to reiterate a post made earlier and be clear about it - you do not have to hire an electrician or mess around with replacing an outlet to get GFCI protection on your tank. There are GFCI plug adapters one can get from just about any place that sells extension cords. You'd just place it inline between whatever is plugged into your outlet and the outlet itself, and you now have GFCI protection.

Being afraid to call an electrician or replacing an outlet yourself is not an excuse to not have GFCI.

Now, if you have some other personal opinion about whether GFCI outlets, in of themselves, are safe or not, that's up to you. Just like anything, buy quality and you'll probably be ok.

 

[Ayang90]

I wanted to reiterate a post made earlier and be clear about it - you do not have to hire an electrician or mess around with replacing an outlet to get GFCI protection on your tank. There are GFCI plug adapters one can get from just about any place that sells extension cords. You'd just place it inline between whatever is plugged into your outlet and the outlet itself, and you now have GFCI protection.

Being afraid to call an electrician or replacing an outlet yourself is not an excuse to not have GFCI.

After reading this thread I did just that and ordered a Tower portable GFCI 2 ft. cord with room for 3 plugs. I had my gear plugged in to a APC UPS so I decided to plug the GFCI in to the UPS and then all the equipment to the new Tower GFCI. I figured if I plugged the UPS in the GFCI I would still get shocked by the UPS battery even if the GFCI tripped. If anyone has a view on this please let me know because I am not an expert by any means.

The Tower cord was $20 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Tower-Manufa...8_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E5JV8J7QV26BVQPJFS8E

 

[RamsReef]

After reading this thread I did just that and ordered a Tower portable GFCI 2 ft. cord with room for 3 plugs. I had my gear plugged in to a APC UPS so I decided to plug the GFCI in to the UPS and then all the equipment to the new Tower GFCI. I figured if I plugged the UPS in the GFCI I would still get shocked by the UPS battery even if the GFCI tripped. If anyone has a view on this please let me know because I am not an expert by any means.

The Tower cord was $20 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Tower-Manufa...8_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E5JV8J7QV26BVQPJFS8E

This is correct, I have stated that on this thread already.

 

[Brew12]

After reading this thread I did just that and ordered a Tower portable GFCI 2 ft. cord with room for 3 plugs. I had my gear plugged in to a APC UPS so I decided to plug the GFCI in to the UPS and then all the equipment to the new Tower GFCI. I figured if I plugged the UPS in the GFCI I would still get shocked by the UPS battery even if the GFCI tripped. If anyone has a view on this please let me know because I am not an expert by any means.

That is a good way to do it. Much better than plugging the UPS into the GFCI as that would do almost nothing for you.

I think you should evaluate your loads individually as to what should and shouldn't be GFCI. While human life always comes first, care should be taken for the fish, too. In my opinion, all heaters and sump return pumps should be on a GFCI. I also believe all tanks should have a ground probe. Anything that is low voltage DC in the tank really doesn't need to be GFCI. Either does the controller. The Vortech MP10 or MP40's are awesome because the motor is external to the tank allowing them to be put on a UPS and not need GFCI protection.

Just some stuff to think about.

 

[Ayang90]

That is a good way to do it. Much better than plugging the UPS into the GFCI as that would do almost nothing for you.

I think you should evaluate your loads individually as to what should and shouldn't be GFCI. While human life always comes first, care should be taken for the fish, too. In my opinion, all heaters and sump return pumps should be on a GFCI. I also believe all tanks should have a ground probe. Anything that is low voltage DC in the tank really doesn't need to be GFCI. Either does the controller. The Vortech MP10 or MP40's are awesome because the motor is external to the tank allowing them to be put on a UPS and not need GFCI protection.

Just some stuff to think about.

Agreed. This was the immediate response to just get protected. This thread really scared the bejeezus out of me and while I am relatively new to the hobby, there is very little awareness of the risks of electrical shock. Intuitively putting electrical equipment in water should raise a yellow flag but I just kind of shrugged it off as the problem has been solved so it must be safe.

Thanks for your other posts, they were VERY informative.

 

[alton]

A great thread to raise awareness to the dangers of 120v, especially around our aquariums! A couple things to add (sorry f they have been mentioned) The new GFCI receptacles to get the UL listing are self testing. But that means if it determines it is no longer viable it will turn itself off. Pass and Seymore sells one that has an alarm which is awesome. Next most GFCI plugs trip 4 to 6 ma, Hospital grade will trip at 5 ma, the same as a breaker. Do not install a grounding probe unless you make sure your service is grounded properly and the receptacle is grounded. I had a friend who was getting shocked because service ground was missing, volts 2, amps unbelievable! I was semi insulated and it knocked me for a loop. Second friend plugged his grounding probe into one of his two GFCI receptacles, the problem was who ever added the plugs tied them into a non grounded receptacle, so he thought he was covered when he wasn't. Just remember the colors ungrounded black or red or a marked white with black tape used as a hot to a light fixture switch, grounded white, and grounding bare or green. If you are not sure please call an electrical contractor.

 

[jasonrusso]

I just ordered a grounding rod from Amazon. One of the reviews on Amazon said it had to be plugged into the wall, not a power strip. What difference does it make? It's not a GFI strip, so it's basically an extension of the GFI outlet. I would plug it in the wall, but both outlets are used. I also bought that GFI extension for my UPS

 

[RamsReef]

I'm having trouble decoding your post.

• You bought a grounding probe from amazon.
• You can plug it into any connected device, as the grounds should be connected, if they are not this is bad.
• You bought a GFCI powerbar and plugged it into the UPS? Cool.

 

[jasonrusso]

Oh, lol. Sorry that wasn't clear. I am asking it anyone thinks it matters if it is directly into the outlet or a power strip. If anything, I am going to have to put a 3-way into an outlet and plug it into that.

 

[aquablizz]

you should have ground holes on all the outlets on your power strip and the power strip should be plugged into a grounded receptacle , preferably a GFI.. check to make sure it is actually a good ground by testing with a volt meter between the hot side of the receptacle and the ground hole (not the neutral leg). Once you have determined that you have a good ground, go ahead and test between the Hot Leg and the Neutral Leg.. The numbers should be nearly the same... if so, you should be good to go... My probe actually came with a small additional pigtail that could be used under a grounding screw.. It could be cut and extended if necessary but that complicates things a little but really no big deal..

Blizz

 

[jasonrusso]

See my new thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stay-away-from-hydor.263103/

I'm glad I found and followed this thread!!

 

[pauldunbar2013]

Actually a shock from a 9 volt battery straight to the heart will kill you, the reason that we aren't instantly killed is because our skin has better conductivity so electricity flows over the skin not through you. You snapped straight because the mucked are on the skin and when they are electrified they involuntarily contract.

 

[Katrina71]

9 year old's tank. Is a power strip plugged into a GFI outlet safe?

 

[jasonrusso]

9 year old's tank. Is a power strip plugged into a GFI outlet safe?

Yes. That's fine.

 

[Katrina71]

Thank you. Had a tank break this week. It scared me to think he could have been the one to discover the break. Not on a GFI! Dumb on my part.

 

[Ubergroover]

Been a licensed Master in Massachusetts for 30 yrs...dont ever call that contractor again. simple logic..fish tank...GFI. Your a lucky man! that must of hurt like hell.