How bad is my electrical situation?

[JoJosReef]

what strip?

I was referring to the picture of a strip higher up. Probably worth forgetting about in my situation.

just get a good surge protector that can accommodate all your needs.

Seems like a good idea. I will have to check if any of my strips is a decent surge protector.

if your really wanting to find out more you can see how many receptacles are on that circuit in your house find the breaker and see the value (15a or 20a) know in your mind all that is on that circuit (what receptacles in the house) as to not overload those with vacuum cleaners and hairdryers and coffee makers etc.

Oh, no thanks, I don't want to know more. But thank you! I can barely understand what's being said so far. I have no idea how many amps (amperage?) any one of my devices draws, much less altogether. I'll find the brain capacity to learn more another time.

if you need to know more information you can see what that circuits amperage draw is, but its probably well within range and just fine, all you should need is a good surge protector to plug everything in.

Not my house, it's an office building, and I'm sure I'd get into deep doo-doo if I start messing with anything electrical beyond what gets plugged into an outlet. I think you're bang-on. Work on getting a good surge protector an get things plugged up the right way!

Thanks!

 

[Bruttall]

having a residential wall outlet on a 25amp breaker is not permitted or advised if it is a normal 20amp circuit, it is supplied with 12guage wire which has the allowable ampacity of 20amps NOT 25a, putting in a larger breaker is not the correct way to accomplish this, contacting a qualified electrician is.

A qualified electrician did the work.

 

[Bruttall]

.

 

[Bruttall]

I know you just changed that but it still doesn't make any sense..

what is "most code"?

guy said he puts a 25a breaker in his box I'm assuming he took the 20a out and put in a 25a ...thats not allowed

if you want to quote the NEC I'd love to break out my book and follow along.

I guess you missed where I said I ADDED dedicated circuits just for my pumps and lights? It's ok though. My house is wired to code.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I guess you missed where I said I ADDED dedicated circuits just for my pumps and lights? It's ok though. My house is wired to code.

I stated what I was assuming... now if you had an electrician put in one or two seperate 25 amp circuits from your panel dedicated for your aquarium equipment, this still doesn't make any sense to me, he would have had to upsize the wire to 10awg just to make a 25amp breaker work ( for a continuous load) ( which we all know is 3 hours or more ), and since there is no 25amp standard receptacles he wouldn't legally be allowed to put a 20amp receptacle in place.

and since most if not all "aquarium related " equipment comes standard with a 15amp style male end plug (some may come with a 20amp style but none that I've seen) then you would need to alter the factory supplied cord end to a 20amp style.

what type of receptacle do you plug it into.

I'm also assuming all these devices aren't hardwired and have equipment disconnects....

and even still it's way overkill on cost, permiting and material because most average aquariums are never using 25amps most average 1k-1200sqft homes barely use 30-40amps under a full load.

so either it's not "up to code" or it's a little different than what it sounds like.

main goal:

I was just making it clear to anyone reading this that may get the idea of taking the 20a breaker out of their panel and slapping a 25amp in place of it, NOT to do it. (obviously your o.p was confusing..) I can imagine some people having a breaker trip and figuring to just put a bigger one in place which is NOT correct and very dangerous! future readers

 

[Pistondog]

Amazing responses, thanks everyone!

Not sure what to conclude, but:
1. I know even less than I thought I did about electrical circuits
2. I *may* not be running too many amps on that outlet
3. GFCI good and/or bad -- regardless, I have absolutely no say on whether the outlet is GFCI or not
4. Maybe think about splitting some functions across circuits (which I now understand is different than outlets) for redundancy, e.g. primary vs backup heating elements.

Plug this in to any receptacle for gfci protection
AIDA 3FT Manual Reset 12 Gauge SJTW Heavy Duty Right Angle GFCI Plug Adapter with 1 Prong Grounded Plug, 15 AMP Yellow Outdoor Extension Cable with LED Lighted, UL Listed, 1 Pack https://a.co/d/iR180XB

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is connected to a GFCI with safety circuit and trip alarm ( camera was at angle- devices mounted straight)

 

[cilyjr]

This has been a fun read.

As others have said, your room receptacles are going to 15 or 20 amps, using anything bigger for plugs would be really unorthodox, possibly dangerous, and unnecessary as 15 amps is a lot of power.

It's all about the wire gauge and the amount of electricity that can safely move through it.. too much and it will get hot, sometimes real hot!

Most houses are using 14/2 or 12/2, usually the former for room receptacles. Often 1 or more rooms will be on 1 circuit. Meaning every plug in the room, or rooms will run to the same breaker.

A single 15 amp circuit at 120v will allow for 1800 watts. Meaning if everything on that circuit is less, it will work.

Try not to use 600 hundred extension cords and power strips, they use stranded copper and can get hot easier. Use heavy duty cables, or the DJ stuff as it's designed to handle heavier loads!

 

[JoJosReef]

This has been a fun read.

Sure has.

Try not to use 600 hundred extension cords and power strips, they use stranded copper and can get hot easier. Use heavy duty cables, or the DJ stuff as it's designed to handle heavier loads!

Do you mean heavy duty cables that each go into their own plug, or a heavy duty cable that is also a power strip? Basically, what is the safest way to use one plug for 12 or so devices (that altogether, I think should be well below 1800 Watts)?


This may be way too basic for here, but why is GFCI important for a tank? Don't they trip more frequently, thus leaving your tank without power until you go and press the button in again? I'd hate for something like that to happen over the weekend and come in on Monday to a dead tank because it tripped when the fans started to cool the tank...

 

[ErikVR]

I have much more plugged into one outlet. But with all this low energy consumption tech it doesn't even make a dent. LEDs, DC pumps, wavemakers and skimmer. The 300w heater draws much more than all the other stuff combined. Let's say you have 3600W you can use on an outlet. I can theoretically run at least 7 large tanks on one outlet/group. If all the heaters come on at the same time!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

It has been a fun read! There are people who think they are on the same page, but actually reading two different books.
Remember folks, when using the term "Code", it is not something to strive for. Code actually stands for "minimum allowable".
Also, it seems that ppl have missed the fact that this is in a commercial building NOT residential. I would be willing to wager that it was constructed with 20 amp circuits because the developer could not perceive who the future tenant(s) would be and their power needs.
DO NOT put in a higher amp breaker unless your wiring is rated for it.

 

[Pistondog]

Sure has.


Do you mean heavy duty cables that each go into their own plug, or a heavy duty cable that is also a power strip? Basically, what is the safest way to use one plug for 12 or so devices (that altogether, I think should be well below 1800 Watts)?


This may be way too basic for here, but why is GFCI important for a tank? Don't they trip more frequently, thus leaving your tank without power until you go and press the button in again? I'd hate for something like that to happen over the weekend and come in on Monday to a dead tank because it tripped when the fans started to cool the tank...

Ground fault circuit interruptor disconnects the electrical service if any current is flowing thru ground, an abnormal return path. It is meant to prevent individuals from electrical shock, electrocution, and fires.
Your tank being without power is comparatively not important.

 

[The_Paradox]

I have much more plugged into one outlet. But with all this low energy consumption tech it doesn't even make a dent. LEDs, DC pumps, wavemakers and skimmer. The 300w heater draws much more than all the other stuff combined. Let's say you have 3600W you can use on an outlet. I can theoretically run at least 7 large tanks on one outlet/group. If all the heaters come on at the same time!

You pretty much nailed it. Unless you run MH lights, one standard 15/20a circuit is fine for a single pretty large tank. A single circuit is good for ~1500w though not 3600.

 

[ErikVR]

You pretty much nailed it. Unless you run MH lights, one standard 15/20a circuit is fine for a single pretty large tank. A single circuit is good for ~1500w though not 3600.

It is. 16 amps, 240 volt ~3800w

 

[The_Paradox]

It is. 16 amps, 240 volt ~3800w

He’s talking about standard 5-15 plug on a 20a circuit so that’s 120v.

 

[jason2459]

Plug this in to any receptacle for gfci protection
AIDA 3FT Manual Reset 12 Gauge SJTW Heavy Duty Right Angle GFCI Plug Adapter with 1 Prong Grounded Plug, 15 AMP Yellow Outdoor Extension Cable with LED Lighted, UL Listed, 1 Pack https://a.co/d/iR180XB

@JoJosReef get this ^ at minimum since it's an office space. If you're running an aquarium in an office I assume you may have some authority? Could you ask facilities to change out a receptacle to a GFCI or even better a circuit.

Sure has.


Do you mean heavy duty cables that each go into their own plug, or a heavy duty cable that is also a power strip? Basically, what is the safest way to use one plug for 12 or so devices (that altogether, I think should be well below 1800 Watts)?


This may be way too basic for here, but why is GFCI important for a tank? Don't they trip more frequently, thus leaving your tank without power until you go and press the button in again? I'd hate for something like that to happen over the weekend and come in on Monday to a dead tank because it tripped when the fans started to cool the tank...

I always have at least two dedicated runs for my sump and two for my main tank and split up life support across them. Battery backup for one power head or pump in each location. You can even find battery operated air stones that turn on in power outage situations.

As for GFCI I posted this and is what I have done. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-wire-a-gfci-outlet.54912/page-3#post-3584662

 

[cilyjr]

He’s talking about standard 5-15 plug on a 20a circuit so that’s 120v.

It is. 16 amps, 240 volt ~3800w

He is in Europe. He will be having 220 plugs most likely.

 

[cilyjr]

Do you mean heavy duty cables that each go into their own plug, or a heavy duty cable that is also a power strip? Basically, what is the safest way to use one plug for 12 or so devices (that altogether, I think should be well below 1800 Watts)?

Just use a heavy duty power strip, or 2 even. and don't plug your tank on the same circuit that your fridge or other big appliances are on as they will initially pull a large electric draw to get going and you'll be fine.

Most regular tanks will be fine.
I have a large system and I have a shed (central coast California) where all my equipment is. The shed has a dedicated 20 amp circuit and the tank shares a 20 amp with the back living room.
The back living room has 3 lights{plug in},a tv, and the inside part of the tank which is 8xhydra 32hd, 4x54 t-5, 4x mp40.

 

[EricR]

Happy to let the debate keep up. Let's get to the bottom of this! By "let's", I mean "you guys", because I haven't the foggiest idea of what you're talking about. I do enjoy following, though!

In layman's terms (are there terms at lower status than layman?), would that strip posted be safer than other extension cords plugged into the single outlet? It doesn't appear to have a standard 3 prong plug...

Lots of information shared so far but not sure if I saw this perspective:
If you're NEVER tripping the breaker, I personally wouldn't stress about it much.
*unless I missed the point of the original question

In an ideal world (or as an exercise), you would:
1. Identify all outlets in the house on this same circuit. (I'd go with shut off the breaker and check every outlet in the house to see which ones are OFF).
2. Add up max current draw of EVERY device plugged into that circuit. I'd speculate that you'd likely come in at <15A (or <20A, whatever the circuit breaker is).

As for GFI, I personally installed a GFCI outlet for ONLY my aquarium equipment (with no other LOAD chained off of it).
*opinions can vary on this somewhat

 

[cilyjr]

If you're NEVER tripping the breaker, I personally wouldn't stress about it much.

This is good advice.
Adding if you've got a lot of extension cords make sure they are not warm to the touch. If they are replace them with a heavier duty cable.

I guess this is the simplest easiest way.