Power Strips?

[CastAway]

Progressing with a new build, and contemplating power. Is there any wisdom or suggestions with regards to power strips?

 

[mike007]

Power strips are great but you want to have them plugged into a gfi just in case.

 

[gcrawford]

And a GFI does nothing without a ground probe.

 

[CastAway]

Hmmm. I thought the probe was for stray current, not fault current. I mean the GFI's in my kitchen and bathrooms don't have probes and serve a purpose, right? Going to have to investigate that one. I was wondering if a "normal" power strip from Best Buy; I think the brand name was Dynex; was any better or worse than the ones specifically for aquariums. I only need one timed outlet, and thought I could get by without a fancy strip for that...

 

[mike007]

I have used just plain ole power strips and they worked great. Gfi will cut off power when water gets on any thing plugged into them.

 

[gcrawford]

I saw a demo once called the "pickle test". Long story short, gfci plug, two wires from plug to two rods in each end of a pickle. The pickle will glow like a light bulb. Plug ground probe into second remaining gfci receptacle and plug the probe into the pickle. Plug the first plug back in to send current to the pickle and the gfci trips instantly.

 

[CastAway]

It sounds like that's just an ungrounded short through the pickle, and then tripping the gfi using the probe, which I would think is what's supposed to happen. That guy who did the demo wasn't selling Aitasers too was he? LMBO. Sorry, just kidding. I'll definitely use a ground probe and GFCI. Thanks. Think I'll just get some low end power strips too, nothing fancy.

 

[bct15]

Gfci will work without a ground probe, the pickle test just shows how a gfci works.

 

[Dylan J.]

try looking into a DJ power strip. They've very hand so you don't get zapped when unplugging plugs with wet hands

Amazon.com: Mr. Dj PSC200 8 Channel Power Strip with Lighted Toggles ON/OFF Power Panel: Musical Instruments

 

[Dylan J.]

I have 2 of them drilled in with screws on my stand and I haven't had a single issue with them.

 

[CastAway]

I think there's some potential (pun intended - lol) that a ground probe can actually introduce current into a tank, say, in a lightning event, where, without the probe there may be less of a "potential".

 

[CastAway]

Wow. Thanks Dylan! Looks awesome. Clean.

 

[Dylan J.]

I just got so tired of getting zapped when turning pumps off with the power strip when feeding corals and water changes so I ran across these now all I have to do is just flip a switch instead of pulling plug soooooo much better haha

 

[glamisracers]

^+1 I just ordered dj power strips makes it so much easier to flip a switch just make sure u label each switch so you know what one is what

 

[CastAway]

I just ordered the PCS-300. The on-line reviews were not too good. There were complaints about the bare internal wiring, an undersized cord in relation to the fuse, and more. It's not UL listed. There were few good reviews, but mostly bad. I bought it with the expectation that I would open it up and fix whatever I don't like. It's sleek looking, panel mounted, and the toggles make it pretty convenient. After researching it, it seems pretty popular among reefers. Thanks again Dylan.

 

[pickupman66]

I saw a demo once called the "pickle test". Long story short, gfci plug, two wires from plug to two rods in each end of a pickle. The pickle will glow like a light bulb. Plug ground probe into second remaining gfci receptacle and plug the probe into the pickle. Plug the first plug back in to send current to the pickle and the gfci trips instantly.

dayum.. seriously... now I gotta go try that tonight.