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Fire!!! on my tank... Questions
- Thread starter lithivm
- Start date
Shouldn't the breakers have tripped long before things got to the point of starting a fire?
just be careful.. I have had gfci adapter / protectors shut off if there is a power surge or loss of electricity enough to trip the adapter. I now keep a lighted extension cord from the battery backup UPS connected GFCI adapter to the surge protectors just so I can visually see it is on. Otherwise it may trip and I would not know a thing.
One trick I have learned over the years of owning multiple tanks and using power strips is to plug up any unused sockets with the plastic safety caps you use to keep babys from playing with electrical sockets.
The logic is its harder to get water into the strip if all the plugs have **something** plugged into it.
The logic is its harder to get water into the strip if all the plugs have **something** plugged into it.
I added up all of my equipment on my tank and even if everything is running at the exact same time (heaters, lights, pumps) it still only adds up to about 6.5 amps. The powerstrip and GFCI are both rated for up to 15 amps which should put me well within the safety zone, but after seeing those pictures, and knowing that my dogs are home all alone during the day, makes me really kinda nervous.
pgordemer said:
Good tip! I never thought of that. I'm gonna steal that idea too!
lithivm said:
3X95W VHO bulbs, 2x150W heaters, 2 mj1200's plus 1 mj1200 for the skimmer, 1 mag7 return pump, and when I am mixing up more saltwater I have 1 more 150 watt heater, and 1 mj1200 to stir it.
Being an electrical engineer by trade.
GFI is only trips in the case of perhaps the power strip getting in touch with water. Hence GFI is used in bathrooms with water being everywhere.
This looks more like a classic overload especially if your other breakers had tripped in your basement.
I suggest splitting the load more evenly. Metal Halides draw alot of current.
GFI is only trips in the case of perhaps the power strip getting in touch with water. Hence GFI is used in bathrooms with water being everywhere.
This looks more like a classic overload especially if your other breakers had tripped in your basement.
I suggest splitting the load more evenly. Metal Halides draw alot of current.
He had mentioned his his breakers in the basement blew open. During an overload the wires will over heat and just burn up. I deal with electrical motors and with overloads the cables heat up and with a overload relay that is set to the proper amperage it would trip. But with a power strip all they have is an internal mini breaker for like 5 - 10 amps for short circuits. Really not meant for overloading the circuits. Basically his cables turned in fuse and burned up. That is why we all have a circuit breaker panel in our houses as back up.
