Plugging everything in - properly

Spendley · Jan 2, 2014

Hey guys,

I have seen a couple of stories lately about electrical problems. These worry me, as they probably worry many of us. I don't want my stuff to catch fire or shock me or anything!!

Currently, I have two power strips. One is a zoo med timer with eight outlets, and the other your standard six outlet. I only have two things plugged into the six outlet, and actually have two unused on my zoo med (but they are under a timer - I don't think I can get all 8 outlets on for good so only 6 out of 8 are used, got LEDs with a controller so no longer need timer). Plugged into the zoo med is also a 1 plug extension cord, so I can put my controller where I wish, is this as bad as connecting one strip into another? I am NOT sure if my Zoo Med is GFCI, or to be honest what exactly GFCI means.

Can a power strip be GFCI, or is a normal power strip plugged into a GFCI outlet?

What are some trusted brands for power strips out there? At best buy today I saw a 12 outlet Rocket Fish (nothing to do with aquariums lol) for $40. It said nothing about GFCI, so I didn't pull the trigger.

Let's talk about electrical safety. What power strip do you use? Do you take any other precautionary measures?

Eienna · Jan 2, 2014

GFCI is short for ground current circuit interruptor (that's what I get for having an electrician for a dad, lol). Basically, if it senses the current is going to the ground instead of following its normal path through the circuit, it cuts the power to that outlet. Very helpful if you're getting electrocuted.

Regular outlets do NOT cut the power if it goes to ground, requiring the power to that circuit to be cut off manually by either pulling the plug or by using the house circuit breakers - which, by the way, is what you do if someone else is getting electrocuted; DO NOT get close or attempt to pull the plug until the power is cut. The fastest way to do that is to hit the main breaker switch, if your house has one. Some older buildings do not, if memory serves. If you do not know which one to switch off, you will harm nothing by hitting all of them. You might have to recover computer data or reset your clocks, but that's nothing when a life is on the line.

I'm actually a little ashamed of myself; my power strips don't have GFCI protection. After nearly pouring water on one of them (...) I'm more aware than ever and will be fixing this ASAP.

rworegon · Jan 2, 2014

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Description above is accurate. You should probably NOT plug one power strip into another. They are designed and rated for a max current and overloading by adding additional outlets is a good way to start the fire you are afraid of. Building codes require a GFCI outlet to be installed in any "wet location." This is why they are in your kitchen and bathroom. Water is a very good conductor of electricity and should be avoided when you are standing in water, or maybe when you have your arm in the tank doing maintenance. A GFCI is designed to protect you from being electrocuted. If you can do it yourself I would install a GFCI in the outlet where your tank equipment is plugged in. If not have a qualified and licensed electrician do it. It could save your life.

As for recommended power strip brands DJ Power strips are very popular because they give you a switch for each outlet on the front and the receptacle is on the back. This makes power cord management much easier.

Eienna · Jan 2, 2014

I only plug one strip into another because the light timers cover about three outlets apiece -_-;; that's six outlets covered and only three used on the second strip.

When I was referring to "one of them," though, I meant the single strip that's on my FO tank.

My tanks are in the living room. I do need to get the outlets changed out, but we're renting, so I may have to find one that's used as an attachment of sorts. Some strips come with a gfci in them, but it doesn't cut power in the wall outlet, just the strip, so it won't make much of a difference if the conductor (such as water) is in the wall socket instead of the strip. Get it in the wall if you can.

Wall outlets with a GFCI will usually come with reset and test buttons on the outlet. If yours has them, it's a gfci-equipped outlet.

AZDesertRat · Jan 2, 2014

You can buy portable GFCI's at Lowes or HD which plug into a normal 120v AC outlet then you plug your strip into that. You do not have to install a permanent GFCI but if you do you need to know everything on that circuit and whether you want to protect only that outlet or everything downstream of it. Some people have a separate 20A GFCI circuit or two installed specifically for their aquarium equipment so it is dedicated to only that to help eliminate nuisance trips or overloading of circuits with high powered things like lighting, pumps and chillers.
Always make sure to mount the outlet strips up high in the stand when possible and provide a drip loop in the cord so all water will follow the loop and drip from that point and not into the plugs.

Eienna · Jan 2, 2014

Three cheers for education! XD Lol, hope that wasn't too much to digest.

Spendley · Jan 2, 2014

Okay so I can circumvent installing a GFCI outlet by buying a GFCI adaptor. Either way, I will be plugging my power strip into this. How can I assure that everything downstream of the adaptor is protected?

Thanks for your wisdom guys, really appreciate it!

AZDesertRat · Jan 2, 2014

Everything plugged into the GFCI will be protected. It will not shut off anything else on that same circuit though unless it is plugged into one of the two or three outlets in the GFCI. I think I paid $14-$15 at HD for the two I have and they basically take up both the outlets in a wall plug and provide 3 protected outlets.

Similar to this but a little smaller is what I have:
http://www.amazon.com/Tower-Manufacturing-30339015-5-Outlet-Adapter/dp/B000E12ADA/ref=pd_sim_hi_1

Eienna · Jan 2, 2014

Reviews are saying it's not for extended use?

AZDesertRat · Jan 2, 2014

That takes the liability off the manufacturer. Been using mine for over 20 years now.

Eienna · Jan 2, 2014

Cool...I think I'll get me one of those.
Edit: Three....

Spendley · Jan 2, 2014

DJ American power strip looks awesome! I have seen these in people's pictures but never known the product. I think I am going to go buy one very soon!

Redo my outlet for GFCI, purchase a DJ power strip...I think these are my next two moves.

These strips have a 15A max from what I have gathered from light google research; could anyone enlighten me as to how I can calculate what kind of output I will have? Thanks

smartwater101 · Jul 8, 2019

Interesting. Ive talked with a couple electricians and they've all said plugging one strip into another is fine.

Although, in the same breath, told me any power strip/surge protector that is more than 6', is considered an "extension cord" if following the 'letter of the law.' So im not really sure how a daisy chain wouldn't fit into the extension cord category.

I have all my strips plugged into my eb832 (none use more than ~3 amps) so i can monitor my total system draw. Never goes above 12 amps total (20 amp breaker) and is the only thing using that breaker.

I suppose now that im aware of the total draw I dont really need to plug multiple strips into the eb832. I just really like monitoring everything.

Although I do wonder if 12 amps is too much from a single GFCI plug. But I do have a standard plug air conditioner that draws like 9-10 amp (different breaker of course) so I forget...

BigHildy53 · Jul 8, 2019

Spendley said:
DJ American power strip looks awesome! I have seen these in people's pictures but never known the product. I think I am going to go buy one very soon!

Redo my outlet for GFCI, purchase a DJ power strip...I think these are my next two moves.

These strips have a 15A max from what I have gathered from light google research; could anyone enlighten me as to how I can calculate what kind of output I will have? Thanks

The best way is to find the manufacturer's specifications for the total draw for each device plugged into the outlet. Otherwise you can use a Kill A Watt EZ Meter to measure the draw.

smartwater101 · Jul 9, 2019

rworegon said:
You should probably NOT plug one power strip into another. They are designed and rated for a max current and overloading by adding additional outlets is a good way to start the fire you are afraid of.

I just tripple checked and you can indeed plug a power strip into a power strip. What matters is the load. A 15a GFCI is (usually) rated for 12A continuous draw. So unless you're pulling more than that, the only issue with daisy chaining is things like loose connections.

I, for example, have 4 power strips ( two EB8s and two Trip Lites) plugged into my EB832. None of these pull more than ~3A. The eb832 outlets are rated for 7A each and my entire system draw with EVERYTHING on doesnt quite hit 12A. So i would be good to go.