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Need to run an CFGI outlet, need help.

B

billyr98

cayars said:
2. don't mess with the electric outlets at all if you aren't comfortable doing it. Plug in one or two of these into your present outlet: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TW39013 They also have them with cords on them (inline). Just search GFCI in the search box at that site.

I picked up a few of these and I can tell you they work faster then the typical gfci outlet does. I've had 2 trips in my new house and both were plugged into gfci outlets which never tripped. Matter of fact, one of them kept tripping the other night and I discovered a heater was leaking current into a QT tank. So they are pretty cheap, super easy to install and work really, really well.

3. If after putting some type of gfci at the outlet (1 or 2 above) you trip the circuit breaker because of to many watts you could change out the breaker in the box. If you are presently at 15 you should be able to go to a 20 without problem. If you look at the wire going into the slot where the breaker is you should be able to tell if it's 12 or 14 gauge wire. If 12 you could probably push it to a 30amp breaker if the 20 wasn't enough. I however wouldn't try a 30amp unless you have 12 gauge wire.
Click to expand...

PLEASE DO NOT Put 20 amp breakers in without 12g wire! This is code!
Also do not use 30amp breakers without running 10g WIRE!!! Also Code!


Please listen to these numbers... undersized wire with oversized breakers are asking for a disaster!!
 
P

pgordemer

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
billyr98 said:
PLEASE DO NOT Put 20 amp breakers in without 12g wire! This is code!
Also do not use 30amp breakers without running 10g WIRE!!! Also Code!


Please listen to these numbers... undersized wire with oversized breakers are asking for a disaster!!
Click to expand...

Especially when you have that fire and your insurance company won't pay since you changed the breakers from what NEC code specified.

Been there, done that, have the burn T-shirt to prove it.
 
C

Carlo

billyr98 said:
cayars said:
2. don't mess with the electric outlets at all if you aren't comfortable doing it. Plug in one or two of these into your present outlet: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TW39013 They also have them with cords on them (inline). Just search GFCI in the search box at that site.

I picked up a few of these and I can tell you they work faster then the typical gfci outlet does. I've had 2 trips in my new house and both were plugged into gfci outlets which never tripped. Matter of fact, one of them kept tripping the other night and I discovered a heater was leaking current into a QT tank. So they are pretty cheap, super easy to install and work really, really well.

3. If after putting some type of gfci at the outlet (1 or 2 above) you trip the circuit breaker because of to many watts you could change out the breaker in the box. If you are presently at 15 you should be able to go to a 20 without problem. If you look at the wire going into the slot where the breaker is you should be able to tell if it's 12 or 14 gauge wire. If 12 you could probably push it to a 30amp breaker if the 20 wasn't enough. I however wouldn't try a 30amp unless you have 12 gauge wire.
Click to expand...

PLEASE DO NOT Put 20 amp breakers in without 12g wire! This is code!
Also do not use 30amp breakers without running 10g WIRE!!! Also Code!


Please listen to these numbers... undersized wire with oversized breakers are asking for a disaster!!
Click to expand...

Oh man, good catch Billy. That section should read:
"If you are presently at 15 amps with 12 gauge wire, you should be able to go to a 20 amp breaker without problem. If you look at the wire going into the slot where the breaker is you should be able to tell if it's 12 or 14 gauge wire. If 10 gauge you could probably push it to a 30amp breaker if the 20 amp wasn't enough. I however wouldn't try a 30amp unless you have 10 gauge wire."

I'm glad you caught that. There really should be no reason to go past 20 amps (if even needed) based on the equipment he is going to run and the AV stuff. Wouldn't you think it would handle it just fine assuming there is a GFCI? I bet a 15 amp circuit will be fine too.

Carlo
 
P

PMolan

Personally I find it easiear to replace the breaker with a gfci breaker. You then know that EVERYTHING on that circuit is protected. No messing with rewiring the outlet and making sure which wire is from the panel and which is going to the Load side. By the way, if there is no sheetrock on the ceiling in the basement, running a new wire can't be easier.
 
V

volk23

billyr98 said:
where are you located... we could always take an amp reading on the circuit that is there, and see if you have the available amperage... i am in south jersey...
Click to expand...

im in East Brunswick.

I will replace the outlet first, if breaker trips. i will let you guys know what amp on the breaker and whats the wire rated before i do anything.

thank you very much for your help and suggestions.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
When you replace the outlet make sure to get an GFCI rated the same as the breaker. You shouldn't put a 20amp GFCI on a 15amp breaker. :)
 
B

billyr98

actually you can put a 20amp gfci on 15amp circuit.. that gfci doesn't know the difference.. just match the breaker and wire...
 
P

pgordemer

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Since many complain that a GFI trip takes everything out, what I did was run a new 20 AMP line from the a panel, then to a junction box. Out of the Junction is 2 seperate lines/boxes. Each seperate line has a GFCI, so a trip on a single branch does not take both branches out.

So branch 1 goes up to the tank, branch 2 goes to the basement sump area.

This way I get the protection of GFCI everywhere, but not a case of a trip takes out everything. A bad heater in the tank will take out that branch, but leave the sump/skimmer/pumps running, etc. A bad pump in the skimmer area trip the GFI, but the main tank power heads are still going..

Simple idea to try.
 
V

volk23

Ground Fault Interruptor Dilemma!

Guys, please need advice.

So the circuit is 20amps. Instead of replacing the outlet to GFI outlet, i just got one of these: Tri Taps GFCI Cord Sets.

http://www.trci.net/products/shock_shield/tritaps.html

Model: 26020LTC-2-503 its rated 15amps


If i plug in one of the lights, it trips the fuse on it, If i plug it in the outlet, its fine. Why does it trip the test on the GFI? What could be wrong?
 
S

Scuba dude

If one thing trips it every thing should trip it. The amps are not enough to trip it alone. If you bought it locally I would try another one before you go nuts with all the other posibilities
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Is your ground (green) wire connected from your plug to the light fixture?
 
V

volk23

there is no green wire. just two cables out of the fixture. If i plug the lights directly to the outlet, everything works no problem.
 
mikem

mikem

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
It sounds like there might be a broken or shorted ground inside the fixture.
 
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