GFCI all tripped at once

[NeonRabbit221B]

Last night all of my GFCIs tripped on all of my tanks which was fairly scary to wake up to this morning. Luckily I very recently installed a battery backup for my MP40 and plugged an air stone into my UPS for my freshwater tanks but they had all cooled down significantly this morning. My guess was it was a power surge.

Basically my setup is that I have 1' extension cords that plug into these and each tank has the the load split evenly across two of these. I do use ground plugs as well. I am currently renting and cannot easily get an electrician in to install permanent GFCIs. How can I go about improving the setup to reduce my risk of losing a tank to a power flicker? Any way to automatically reset GFCI incase of a simple power surge or smooth the incoming power? I can't imagine I am the only one with this issue.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Nope, no such thing as an automatic resetting gcfi, as the purpose is cut electricity when there is something wrong. Gfci outlets are easy to install.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Are the plug adapters just insufficient junk? Is that likely the root of the issue?

 

[n2585722]

I have had power outages and they have never tripped my GFCI outlets. Not sure what could have happened. You can try adding a suge suppressor before your GFCI devices.

 

[zoomonster]

Well I'm sure a lot of people will have different opinions ranging from the gotta have a GFCI on a tank to no way. Your typical wall plug GFCI I find overly sensitive/unreliable which is ok for plugs in the bathroom or kitchen but a little too risky for my tank. Now don't get me wrong... I like my straight hair and don't want to get fried in saltwater. I was fortunate that when I bought my current house that it has a whole house GFCI and surge installed in the circuit breaker panel. It is reliable and I know for a fact that it works well and does its job (speaking from personal experience). Especially during thunderstorms I get times where it ranges from brown out to power on/off repeatedly in a short time. That might trip the AC breaker but never the whole house GFCI and the tank comes right back on. If I replaced the wall plugs with GFCI's it would probably trip and stay off until manually reset.

 

[n2585722]

Well I'm sure a lot of people will have different opinions ranging from the gotta have a GFCI on a tank to no way. Your typical wall plug GFCI I find overly sensitive/unreliable which is ok for plugs in the bathroom or kitchen but a little too risky for my tank. Now don't get me wrong... I like my straight hair and don't want to get fried in saltwater. I was fortunate that when I bought my current house that it has a whole house GFCI and surge installed in the circuit breaker panel. It is reliable and I know for a fact that it works well and does its job (speaking from personal experience). Especially during thunderstorms I get times where it ranges from brown out to power on/off repeatedly in a short time. That might trip the AC breaker but never the whole house GFCI and the tank comes right back on. If I replaced the wall plugs with GFCI's it would probably trip and stay off until manually reset.

The ones I have I purchased at either Lowes or Home Depot. They are the type for a wall outlet but they are mounted in boxes in my cabinet. We had a lightning strike on the powerline in back of our house that blew the fuse on the transformer on the pole. This did not trip those GFCI outlets. It did damage my souround sound system and one of the 6 powerbars on my controller. The power bar damaged was not on those GFCI outlets. It was in the garage. These are fairly new I purchased the, 4 years ago.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Anyone know of any device that can notify if power is cut that is inline? Anyone have a better option for a plug in adapter option? I have a phobia of being electrocuted so I would rather not mess with rewiring my rentals outlets.

 

[JCTReefer]

I finally quit using a GFCI. I installed 3 different ones brand new. They all tripped at random times. Especially when a thunder storm was in the area. And coupled with a surge protector, they wouldn’t work at all. I figured this out after some research. I have no clue why the gfci’s themselves kept giving me fits. The fridge in the garage which draws 7amps, was on the same circuit. And there was another gfci down stream in the garage that the fridge used to be tied into. I switched that out for a regular outlet also. Ever since getting rid of the gfci for the tank, I’ve had no more issues. My new build will have a dedicated 20 amp breaker. I’ll likely try the gfci route again. But, if I go out of town, I’ll use a non gfci plug to run at least my return pump and lights.

 

[Daddy-o]

Anyone know of any device that can notify if power is cut that is inline? Anyone have a better option for a plug in adapter option? I have a phobia of being electrocuted so I would rather not mess with rewiring my rentals outlets.

If you have an old ios device, you could set up it with presence app. (security camera) and in the settings you can have it notify you if power is cut off. Best part is it is free
Cheers! Mark

 

[Daddy-o]

Or get a gfci without the surge protection

 

[n2585722]

I went and read the info on the one you have and this may be you issue.

• Prevents unmonitored equipment startup, manual reset is required after GFCI trip and power outage

It it requires manual reset on power outage. See if you find on that does not have this.

 

[tehmadreefer]

.

 

[tehmadreefer]

sorry this one.

Tripp Lite 8 Outlet Safety Power Strip, 12ft Cord with GFCI 5-15P Plug, Hang Holes (TLM812GF)

 

[n2585722]

Will one of these work for you?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tower-Manufacturing-Shock-Buster-15-Amp-3-Wire-Grounding-Duplex-to-Six-White-Gfci-Adapter/1000492083

 

[vetteguy53081]

Obviously an overload form one or more components.
What did you have plugged in (especially return pumps and lighting ? )

I assume GFCI you have is grounded? I like the heavy duty mult plug in one which eliminates extension cords from Home Depot


Internet #204667704
Model # 2516

Yellow Jacket
View the Collection
6 ft. 14/3 SJTW Right Angle GFCI 4-Outlet Power Block

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Yellow-...303137134-_-204667704-_-N#ratings-and-reviews

• Comes in standard yellow
• Ideal for garages
• Visible in most rooms

$ 37 47

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Yeah I will look around but I appreciate all the replies. As far as equipment being overloaded I am not entirely sure because both tanks tripped (all 4 GFCI)

If you have an old ios device, you could set up it with presence app. (security camera) and in the settings you can have it notify you if power is cut off. Best part is it is free
Cheers! Mark

Fantastic idea. I have several and will set this up asap

Will one of these work for you?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tower-Manufacturing-Shock-Buster-15-Amp-3-Wire-Grounding-Duplex-to-Six-White-Gfci-Adapter/1000492083

I think that would work better than what I have. As you mentioned I think the lack of a reset on power outages may have been the cause. Odd thing was I was awake at the time and didn't even notice until the morning.