GFCI Faults Periodically

dwinter · 01/29/2016, 04:34 PM

Something seems to be tripping my GFCI power bar, it is not a constant fault, over the past month it has happened twice, approx. once every two weeks.

I have the following equipment running on it:
DC Return Pump (Cadlights)
RO150 Space Saver Skimmer
150w heater
MJ1200 running a BRS dual media reactor
Apex
Tunze ATO
Vertex Titanium ground probe
Fuge Light which is always been off when it faults.

Any ideas on where to start? Should the ground probe be used on a GFCI outlet?

Also I am going away on vacation for a couple weeks. Is it best to run the return pump and heater off the GFCI if I can't narrow it down before I leave?

I do intend on getting a actual outlet GFCI rather than a powerbar in the future, the powerbar worked great on my last tank without this problem.

Thanks
Dave

Reef Frog · 01/29/2016, 04:51 PM

Persinally I would transfer everything to non-GFCI circuits during an absense, in the event you can't sort out your situation beforehand. I am assuming there's no one around who would be interacting with the tank. Just make sure any tank sitter understands not to approach a leak situation unless they can safely turn out the breaker you mark & identify for them. I would do all I could to eliminate any possible cause of a tank crash before I left,'especially if there is no possibility of endangering another person.

You must have a good ground connection and properly installed grounding rod for starters.

E46er · 01/30/2016, 10:32 AM

I would switch the entire system over to a non GFI for your trip and then get it sorted out when your back.
even if you manage to find what was causing the issue, Id want to make sure the tank runs properly for a length of time before I go away for a few weeks.

Piranha_Owns · 01/30/2016, 10:52 AM

Not all GFCI outlets are created equal, I would recommend installing a more expensive one and see if your problem goes away.

Proud IBEW member

Mark426 · 01/30/2016, 01:18 PM

Everybody is correct. While away switch to Non-GFI. When able replace your existing GFCI.

Sk8r · 01/30/2016, 01:31 PM

I had one do this and when I took the plate off and examined the wiring I found the highly expensive electrician's helper had crunched a wire during installation and created a situation that would heat up and trip the button. I fixed it, simply poking the wire out of the pinch and fixing the exposure, and it's worked perfectly since. Do flip the breaker in the main house box before undertaking any such examination and fix.

regtur · 01/30/2016, 01:38 PM

Everyone is correct but living on the gulf of mexico taught me to use marine outlets around saltwater, and they do make a GFI.

dwinter · 01/31/2016, 12:44 PM

Thanks for everyones advice. I am going to change things around so I don't have to worry about the gfci tripping while I amnon my vacation and get a good gfi installed when I am back.

Are there any good brands or specs I should be looking for in a gfi?

01/29/2016, 04:34 PM	#1
dwinter Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie Posts: 117	GFCI Faults Periodically Something seems to be tripping my GFCI power bar, it is not a constant fault, over the past month it has happened twice, approx. once every two weeks. I have the following equipment running on it: DC Return Pump (Cadlights) RO150 Space Saver Skimmer 150w heater MJ1200 running a BRS dual media reactor Apex Tunze ATO Vertex Titanium ground probe Fuge Light which is always been off when it faults. Any ideas on where to start? Should the ground probe be used on a GFCI outlet? Also I am going away on vacation for a couple weeks. Is it best to run the return pump and heater off the GFCI if I can't narrow it down before I leave? I do intend on getting a actual outlet GFCI rather than a powerbar in the future, the powerbar worked great on my last tank without this problem. Thanks Dave __________________ . Current Tank Info: Cadlights 100g Artisan, 2x Kessil 360, RO 150SSS, 2x MP40, Apex, dual BRS reactor, LPS Tank

01/30/2016, 10:32 AM	#3
E46er Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC Posts: 136	I would switch the entire system over to a non GFI for your trip and then get it sorted out when your back. even if you manage to find what was causing the issue, Id want to make sure the tank runs properly for a length of time before I go away for a few weeks. __________________ 250G DD LED SPS corner blow out RIP 300 G build in progress 80”x36”x24” 180G LED see thru

01/30/2016, 01:31 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I had one do this and when I took the plate off and examined the wiring I found the highly expensive electrician's helper had crunched a wire during installation and created a situation that would heat up and trip the button. I fixed it, simply poking the wire out of the pinch and fixing the exposure, and it's worked perfectly since. Do flip the breaker in the main house box before undertaking any such examination and fix. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/31/2016, 12:44 PM	#8
dwinter Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Barrie Posts: 117	Thanks for everyones advice. I am going to change things around so I don't have to worry about the gfci tripping while I amnon my vacation and get a good gfi installed when I am back. Are there any good brands or specs I should be looking for in a gfi? __________________ . Current Tank Info: Cadlights 100g Artisan, 2x Kessil 360, RO 150SSS, 2x MP40, Apex, dual BRS reactor, LPS Tank

01/29/2016, 04:51 PM	#2
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Persinally I would transfer everything to non-GFCI circuits during an absense, in the event you can't sort out your situation beforehand. I am assuming there's no one around who would be interacting with the tank. Just make sure any tank sitter understands not to approach a leak situation unless they can safely turn out the breaker you mark & identify for them. I would do all I could to eliminate any possible cause of a tank crash before I left,'especially if there is no possibility of endangering another person. You must have a good ground connection and properly installed grounding rod for starters.

01/30/2016, 10:52 AM	#4
Piranha_Owns Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sedalia, Mo Posts: 147	Not all GFCI outlets are created equal, I would recommend installing a more expensive one and see if your problem goes away. Proud IBEW member

01/30/2016, 01:18 PM	#5
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Everybody is correct. While away switch to Non-GFI. When able replace your existing GFCI.

01/30/2016, 01:38 PM	#7
regtur Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: MN Posts: 98	Everyone is correct but living on the gulf of mexico taught me to use marine outlets around saltwater, and they do make a GFI.