Frayed cord of a powerhead after 2 weeks in water.

fixingstill · 03/10/2018, 04:24 PM

Frayed cord of a powerhead after 2 weeks in water.

It is the power cord of a dual head powerhead by sunsun. Model JVP-201.
Or something is chewing it. Cowfish or porcupine puffer?

Few days ago my GFCI tripped and I found water in the connection where the plug of the powerhead goes to an extension cord. I thought it was micro bubble splash out of the tank so I relocated it. Then it happened again. I then disconnected the plug and 15 mins later I saw water sipping out of the prongs. That was puzzling and I decided to change out the powerhead. Then I found out the fray.
My fish did not get electrocuted. That is amazing.

Something new everyday!

Pslreefer · 03/10/2018, 04:42 PM

Typical of those jvp sunsun brand.

alton · 03/10/2018, 05:21 PM

Somebody got hungry

Daddi0 · 03/10/2018, 05:22 PM

Urchins?

reefinmike · 03/10/2018, 08:12 PM

I dont care how cheap the plastic/rubber is coating that wire, having that in saltwater for two weeks would not cause that kind of damage. Clearly the work of your porcupine puffer.

Pslreefer · 03/10/2018, 08:20 PM

True, most def the puffer on that! But I used to buy those and nearly every one would trip my gfci.

mcgyvr · 03/11/2018, 07:56 AM

Great example of why GFCI should be used on all line powered submerged piece of equipment..

aznflyfisherman · 03/11/2018, 12:23 PM

I wrapp my cords with a plastic electric cover

Indymann99 · 03/11/2018, 07:14 PM

Also another good reason for DC powerheads...

tkeracer619 · 03/11/2018, 10:02 PM

One of the reasons vortechs are great! This is a non issue since there are no wires in the tank.

fixingstill · 10/05/2018, 04:27 PM

I am the OP.
2nd powerhead cord has also been chewed. This time I found the criminal.

So, pencil urchin likes to chew.

This time I loomed the cord.

What still puzzles me is that why the tank did not get electrocuted.

mcgyvr · 10/05/2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixingstill

What still puzzles me is that why the tank did not get electrocuted.

A complete circuit is required for current to flow..
When only one conductor is exposed to water and lacking any ground or complete circuit there is no current flow and hence nothing can get electrocuted..
Just the absolutely basics of electricity..

same reason birds/squirrels can stand/perch on high voltage wires.. If they were touching the ground (or something at a different potential) with the other foot/hand they would be dead..

ca1ore · 10/06/2018, 10:45 PM

That is amazing though that an urchin can do that kind of damage that quickly.

tkeracer619 · 10/09/2018, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

That is amazing though that an urchin can do that kind of damage that quickly.

Oh yeah, they have some razor sharp beaks!

fixingstill · 10/10/2018, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

A complete circuit is required for current to flow..
When only one conductor is exposed to water and lacking any ground or complete circuit there is no current flow and hence nothing can get electrocuted..
Just the absolutely basics of electricity..

same reason birds/squirrels can stand/perch on high voltage wires.. If they were touching the ground (or something at a different potential) with the other foot/hand they would be dead..

Right. Of course. I learned that when I was 3.
But I see both neutral and hot wires are exposed.
Only explanation is that the water is already the return path? It is not making sense to me.

The GFI tripped because the powerhead cord is acting like a straw, sucking the water down into the inside of the jacket, travelling down to the plug end at the other extension cord. That is where the water accumulated and tripped the GFI. First time I caught that, I was so puzzled, I wiped it cleaned and then no trip until next day.

mcgyvr · 10/10/2018, 05:10 AM

I cant tell if both conductors are exposed.. Hard to tell from here.. But if they were saltwater is not freshwater and has some resistance to it and its entirely possible that there was just some current flowing between those 2 conductors (google liquid rheostat or saltwater dummy load)...and you still wouldnt have things getting electrocuted because there isn't one half of the tank water at one potential and another at ground or whatever..

03/10/2018, 04:24 PM	#1
fixingstill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 249	Frayed cord of a powerhead after 2 weeks in water. Frayed cord of a powerhead after 2 weeks in water. It is the power cord of a dual head powerhead by sunsun. Model JVP-201. Or something is chewing it. Cowfish or porcupine puffer? Few days ago my GFCI tripped and I found water in the connection where the plug of the powerhead goes to an extension cord. I thought it was micro bubble splash out of the tank so I relocated it. Then it happened again. I then disconnected the plug and 15 mins later I saw water sipping out of the prongs. That was puzzling and I decided to change out the powerhead. Then I found out the fray. My fish did not get electrocuted. That is amazing. Something new everyday!

03/10/2018, 05:22 PM	#4
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Urchins? __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater

03/10/2018, 08:12 PM	#5
reefinmike Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ohio Posts: 846	I dont care how cheap the plastic/rubber is coating that wire, having that in saltwater for two weeks would not cause that kind of damage. Clearly the work of your porcupine puffer. __________________ 90g reef lit by 2 kessil 360's and 4 T5's. 55g sump/fuge, eshopps s-200 skimmer and slowly working on getting every apex gadget

03/11/2018, 07:56 AM	#7
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Great example of why GFCI should be used on all line powered submerged piece of equipment.. __________________ Who me?

03/11/2018, 07:14 PM	#9
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Also another good reason for DC powerheads... __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

03/10/2018, 04:42 PM	#2
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	Typical of those jvp sunsun brand.

03/10/2018, 05:21 PM	#3
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Somebody got hungry

03/10/2018, 08:20 PM	#6
Pslreefer In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Port St Lucie, FL Posts: 597	True, most def the puffer on that! But I used to buy those and nearly every one would trip my gfci.

03/11/2018, 12:23 PM	#8
aznflyfisherman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 957	I wrapp my cords with a plastic electric cover

03/11/2018, 10:02 PM	#10
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	One of the reasons vortechs are great! This is a non issue since there are no wires in the tank. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

10/05/2018, 04:27 PM	#11
fixingstill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 249	I am the OP. 2nd powerhead cord has also been chewed. This time I found the criminal. So, pencil urchin likes to chew. This time I loomed the cord. What still puzzles me is that why the tank did not get electrocuted.

10/06/2018, 10:45 PM	#13
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	That is amazing though that an urchin can do that kind of damage that quickly. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

10/10/2018, 05:10 AM	#16
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I cant tell if both conductors are exposed.. Hard to tell from here.. But if they were saltwater is not freshwater and has some resistance to it and its entirely possible that there was just some current flowing between those 2 conductors (google liquid rheostat or saltwater dummy load)...and you still wouldnt have things getting electrocuted because there isn't one half of the tank water at one potential and another at ground or whatever.. __________________ Who me?