GFCI question

[Ls2Goat]

Im adding a seperate breaker with 6 outlets for my tank.
My question is shoukd the GFCI outlets be loaded or not(non tech term when 1 trips they all trip or independent from each other).

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

hmmm. I could see pros and cons each way (without knowing everything about electric) I think linked cause I think if something is tripping the GFCI then there might be a big issue and killing everything to your tank could help prevent a major issue. Again I don't know much about electric but thats my thoughts.

 

[Edwardw771]

@mikem is the zen master with this stuff.

 

[Ls2Goat]

I was contemplating if I'd want everything to turn off or just that outlet.

I'm using a reefkeeper controller and each outlet will have a controllable powerboat plugged into it.

 

[Trio91]

I have it set where the gfi only cuts off when something trips

 

[Trio91]

What I also did on my end was install an outdoor outlet cover on my gfi as a "just in case....." Option

 

[Paul B]

If you are adding one GFCI "breaker" it will trip and turn off everything on that circuit no matter how you wire it.
(Master electrician 40 years)

 

[Ls2Goat]

If you are adding one GFCI "breaker" it will trip and turn off everything on that circuit no matter how you wire it.
(Master electrician 40 years)

Didn't even consider a GFCI breaker, so is it better to have everything trip at once instead of each outlet tripping on its own?

 

[falconut]

I have two breakers running mine, the outlets are GFCI, not the breakers. I have some powerheads on one and the return pump on the other, with the other items split between the two. This way there's always water movement in the tank. I've had a few issues over the years, where a GFCI tripped while at work, but no issues since there was movement. I don't think I'd want a single GFCI for the whole tank, but just my opinion.

 

[horseplay]

Depending on how your GFCI outlets are wired. You can have two GFCI wired independently (in the same circuit) then they will trip independently. But as Paul mentioned if you wire an outlet off the load terminal of a GFCI outlet it will lose power when the GFCI is tripped.

GFCI is for preventing electric shocks so I don't see a need for install two GFCI outlets on the same circuit.

 

[trivan]

Just make sure you run thru a number of cycles of lights, pumps,etc on and off. There are a number of cases where the GFCI trips due to lights switching on (a lot of the lesser quality ones). I keep my external pumps on a non GFCI, everything else is protected.

 

[Paul B]

Didn't even consider a GFCI breaker, so is it better to have everything trip at once instead of each outlet tripping on its own?

You said you were adding a GFCI breaker!

 

[Ls2Goat]

You said you were adding a GFCI breaker!

I don't see where I said that.
The electrician is adding a dedicated line from the breaker box for the fish equipment.
As of now I'm planning 6 GFCI outlets on this line and I think I'm going to have them all independent of each other(unloaded).

 

[Paul B]

I don't see where I said that.

).

I thought you said it here:

Im adding a seperate breaker with 6 outlets for my tank.
.

Oh, never mind, I see you said you were adding a separate breaker. I thought you said a separate GFCI breaker. I am wrong, sorry.