Are you concerned about fires from power strips/ extension cords?

Red_Belly_Pacu · 03/21/2007, 11:27 PM

I was wondering, are you worrked about fires..I know many of you run power strips/surge protectors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...I read in these boards that sometimes electrical fires do take place..What is your view?

chevegan · 03/22/2007, 01:38 AM

almost everything we run is very low amperage so really no worries. The only things that guzzle are chillers and massive ballasts, in which case you would be foolish to have it on a small strip with everything else.

Medaka · 03/22/2007, 03:23 AM

Just don't get any water/salt on it

If you have empty sockets not in use, get some covers for them

redox · 03/22/2007, 04:20 AM

yea salt creep can be hell. Electrically speaking you shouldnt use a power strip, it can overload a circuit. Ive used them before and have had fire issues due to salt creep.

Neurotech · 03/22/2007, 05:32 AM

Yes, a combination of salt and power strip caused a fire behind my tank last year. Thankfully, someone was home and no one got hurt.

jkapit · 03/23/2007, 06:17 PM

Make sure you install a GFI outlet and use a drip line.

On my son's 30 Gallon tank, I had a Red Sea prism skimmer slowly overflow and it driped water on a power strip. It came pretty close to catching fire. Luckily I came home to a house smelling of smoke and figured out what happend before I had a catastrophe.

I almost lost my home. After that happend I realized how stupid I was and raised the power strip away from the back of the tank and installed a GFI outlet.

Pyrrhus · 03/23/2007, 08:07 PM

I usually mount my powerstrips to the lid of the stand with the outlets pointing downward. Very little chance of any saltcreep or water entering it that way.

03/21/2007, 11:27 PM	#1
Red_Belly_Pacu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 37	Are you concerned about fires from power strips/ extension cords? I was wondering, are you worrked about fires..I know many of you run power strips/surge protectors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week...I read in these boards that sometimes electrical fires do take place..What is your view?

03/22/2007, 01:38 AM	#2
chevegan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado springs, co Posts: 1,614	almost everything we run is very low amperage so really no worries. The only things that guzzle are chillers and massive ballasts, in which case you would be foolish to have it on a small strip with everything else. __________________ Everything is copasetic. Reefing on a budget Current Tank Info: Do it right the first time, save up, spend where it counts OR end up another craigslist ad of money lost.--------Why is this hobby so damn expensive??!-------

03/22/2007, 04:20 AM	#4
redox Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SOBX Posts: 2,091	yea salt creep can be hell. Electrically speaking you shouldnt use a power strip, it can overload a circuit. Ive used them before and have had fire issues due to salt creep. __________________ There is something we can all do about it Current Tank Info: starting fresh with new ideas

03/22/2007, 05:32 AM	#5
Neurotech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 870	Yes, a combination of salt and power strip caused a fire behind my tank last year. Thankfully, someone was home and no one got hurt. __________________ Boneh Current Tank Info: 2 54 corner tanks. 1 2X65 PC and 1 250 watt 20K MH.

03/23/2007, 08:07 PM	#7
Pyrrhus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,713	I usually mount my powerstrips to the lid of the stand with the outlets pointing downward. Very little chance of any saltcreep or water entering it that way. __________________ Severe Knowledge In Plumbing

03/22/2007, 03:23 AM	#3
Medaka Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Orange, calif Posts: 609	Just don't get any water/salt on it If you have empty sockets not in use, get some covers for them

03/23/2007, 06:17 PM	#6
jkapit Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central, NJ Posts: 333	Make sure you install a GFI outlet and use a drip line. On my son's 30 Gallon tank, I had a Red Sea prism skimmer slowly overflow and it driped water on a power strip. It came pretty close to catching fire. Luckily I came home to a house smelling of smoke and figured out what happend before I had a catastrophe. I almost lost my home. After that happend I realized how stupid I was and raised the power strip away from the back of the tank and installed a GFI outlet.