GFI or not?

larryfl1 · 07/26/2009, 03:55 PM

i will be using tunze submergible and submergible pumps...

should the circuit feeding the tank be a gfi circuit?

James77 · 07/26/2009, 04:01 PM

Absolutely.

larryfl1 · 07/26/2009, 04:38 PM

i just had a subpanel put in with a new 20 amp circuit... Ill have a gfi breaker put in the subpanel.....

i wasnt sure if gfi would trip too easily but i would rather that then a shocking problem....zap...

Macimage · 07/26/2009, 04:57 PM

Yes, it may save your life one day. Water and electricity can be a deadly combination.

Joyce

BeanAnimal · 07/26/2009, 06:18 PM

I would strongly advise against a GFI circuit breaker in favor of receptacle or cord-and-plug style GFCIs. If you use a circuit breaker style, then any faulty device (or a nuisance trip) on the circuit will take the entire circuit down and put your livestock at risk.

You can parallel multiple GFCI receptacles on a single branch circuit, thus segregating critical equipment to its own GFCI.

Macimage · 07/26/2009, 06:23 PM

I have all my equipment plugged into multiple wall receptacle GFCI's (which is the same as a GFI wall receptacles) (as BeanAnimal suggests) that will immediately trip if they detect any moisture. I don't have any circuit breaker GFI's installed.

Poeticlydead · 07/26/2009, 06:24 PM

Or run more then one GFI circuit.

Mike31154 · 07/26/2009, 08:28 PM

GFI circuit breakers are quite expensive compared to the wall receptacles. They also tend to use two spaces in your panel. Not sure about 20 amp circuits though, haven't seen a GFI receptacle commonly available for that.

Poeticlydead · 07/26/2009, 09:36 PM

You can buy 120v single poll 20 amp GFI breakers at most electrical supply houses and home improvement stores state side (don't know about canada).

example

Shock130 · 07/26/2009, 09:57 PM

I have an arc fault circuit breaker on my bedroom where my tank is... 2 weeks ago my HOB fuge light fell into tank, instantly cut power to the entire room, saving all livestock, and probably myself... I think I was quick to stick my hand in the tank as a reaction. but then unplugged the light before retrieving it from the tank.

zachslow · 07/27/2009, 12:04 AM

i have been unsuccessful using a GFCI on my tank and it stresses me out. i tried to put one on my aquacontroller, but when my MHs turn on, it always trips the GFCI.

has anyone else had that problem?

kcarrol2 · 07/27/2009, 06:22 AM

Agree with Poeticlydead and run more than one GFI.

BeanAnimal · 07/27/2009, 06:42 AM

Again, placing all of your equipment on 1 or 2 GFI circuit breakers is not ideal. A single faulting device will take down the entire branch circuit. Who wants to run a dedicated circuit for each piece of critical equipment? It is much more cost effective (and manageble) to use individual GFCI receptacles (or cord and plug GFCIs) to isolate critical equipment.

Here is how they would be wired:

You could also do something like this (Not these are NOT GFCIs int the photo, but you get the idea)

http://www.beananimal.com/articles/e...he-reefer.aspx

eggiel · 07/27/2009, 06:47 AM

GFCI circuits should be direct wire to the panel on only one breaker
so you dont have problems

I use normal outlets the breaker should take care of any short or overload problem also

Always loop the cables it doesnt matter what type of outlet you use they are not made for water

07/26/2009, 03:55 PM	#1
larryfl1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 797	GFI or not? i will be using tunze submergible and submergible pumps... should the circuit feeding the tank be a gfi circuit?

07/26/2009, 04:01 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Absolutely. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

07/26/2009, 06:23 PM	#6
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	I have all my equipment plugged into multiple wall receptacle GFCI's (which is the same as a GFI wall receptacles) (as BeanAnimal suggests) that will immediately trip if they detect any moisture. I don't have any circuit breaker GFI's installed. Last edited by Macimage; 07/26/2009 at 06:38 PM.

07/26/2009, 06:24 PM	#7
Poeticlydead Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 414	Or run more then one GFI circuit. __________________ No, I can't spell and no I don't care how it is spelled. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef tank, 40g FOWLR, couple of nanos

07/26/2009, 08:28 PM	#8
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	GFI circuit breakers are quite expensive compared to the wall receptacles. They also tend to use two spaces in your panel. Not sure about 20 amp circuits though, haven't seen a GFI receptacle commonly available for that. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....

07/26/2009, 04:38 PM	#3
larryfl1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 797	i just had a subpanel put in with a new 20 amp circuit... Ill have a gfi breaker put in the subpanel..... i wasnt sure if gfi would trip too easily but i would rather that then a shocking problem....zap...

07/26/2009, 04:57 PM	#4
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	Yes, it may save your life one day. Water and electricity can be a deadly combination. Joyce

07/26/2009, 06:18 PM	#5
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	I would strongly advise against a GFI circuit breaker in favor of receptacle or cord-and-plug style GFCIs. If you use a circuit breaker style, then any faulty device (or a nuisance trip) on the circuit will take the entire circuit down and put your livestock at risk. You can parallel multiple GFCI receptacles on a single branch circuit, thus segregating critical equipment to its own GFCI.

07/26/2009, 09:36 PM	#9
Poeticlydead Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 414	You can buy 120v single poll 20 amp GFI breakers at most electrical supply houses and home improvement stores state side (don't know about canada). example __________________ No, I can't spell and no I don't care how it is spelled. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef tank, 40g FOWLR, couple of nanos

07/26/2009, 09:57 PM	#10
Shock130 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NoVA Posts: 628	I have an arc fault circuit breaker on my bedroom where my tank is... 2 weeks ago my HOB fuge light fell into tank, instantly cut power to the entire room, saving all livestock, and probably myself... I think I was quick to stick my hand in the tank as a reaction. but then unplugged the light before retrieving it from the tank. __________________ Jason

07/27/2009, 12:04 AM	#11
zachslow Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: san francisco, ca Posts: 153	i have been unsuccessful using a GFCI on my tank and it stresses me out. i tried to put one on my aquacontroller, but when my MHs turn on, it always trips the GFCI. has anyone else had that problem?

07/27/2009, 06:22 AM	#12
kcarrol2 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 52	Agree with Poeticlydead and run more than one GFI. __________________ Sometimes I worry about being a success in a mediocre world. Lily Tomlin Current Tank Info: 110 RR Oceanic, custom stand and canopy, Kent Maxxima RO/DI

07/27/2009, 06:42 AM	#13
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	Again, placing all of your equipment on 1 or 2 GFI circuit breakers is not ideal. A single faulting device will take down the entire branch circuit. Who wants to run a dedicated circuit for each piece of critical equipment? It is much more cost effective (and manageble) to use individual GFCI receptacles (or cord and plug GFCIs) to isolate critical equipment. Here is how they would be wired: You could also do something like this (Not these are NOT GFCIs int the photo, but you get the idea) http://www.beananimal.com/articles/e...he-reefer.aspx

07/27/2009, 06:47 AM	#14
eggiel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 339	GFCI circuits should be direct wire to the panel on only one breaker so you dont have problems I use normal outlets the breaker should take care of any short or overload problem also Always loop the cables it doesnt matter what type of outlet you use they are not made for water