adding an extra ciruit for tank.....

ptreef · 11/30/2012, 08:40 PM

Do I use GFCI breaker and GFCI outlet or....
Regular breaker and GFCI outlet?
GFCI breaker and regular outlets...

Thanks,

barrettrhoades · 11/30/2012, 08:49 PM

Either one serves the same purpose. A gfi breaker will protect everything on that circuit. A gfi outlet will protect the outlet, and any outlet downstream of the gfi. If there is an outlet before the gfi, it will be unprotected. I am not sure if there is any other advantage to a gfi breaker vs just the outlet.

ptreef · 11/30/2012, 08:54 PM

Thats what I was wondering, especially since the GFCI breakers are ~ $50 locally
QO120GFCI's......

Looking at how most are setup however in our house, They doubled, up GFCI breaker & GFCI outlets.

James77 · 11/30/2012, 08:56 PM

+1 to the above.

Reasons against a GFI breaker for me would be if I wanted something on the circuit before the tank without GFI. A GFI breaker is also a bit more "permanent" if you or people occupying the house after you wish to switch it back to regular outlets. Swapping a standard outlet is a little more DIY-able for the average skilled person than swapping a breaker in a panel. Other than that, if it's 100% for the tank it's a toss up. I'd lean towards an outlet simply for cost, I think they are roughly half the price

James77 · 11/30/2012, 08:58 PM

I wouldn't double....there is no real need and they could potentially interfere with each other with nuisance trips

ptreef · 11/30/2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

I wouldn't double....there is no real need and they could potentially interfere with each other with nuisance trips

Thats what I thought, either or.....

I have now had my breaker trip twice the last 2 nights, different times and for no apparent reason. Also this has been running for the last yr plus w/o issues and really nothing has changed in the last 6 weeks and never had issue until last night?

The outlet never draws more than 7.2 amps, and when it triped nothing significantly changed or started....

Maybe I should swap out the GFCI outlet for a standard outlet and see if that solves it.

Skipponator · 11/30/2012, 09:18 PM

I did gfci and then a regular circuit also because I found that my Vega would trip the outlet and support said I needed to put them into a non-protected outlet.

ptreef · 11/30/2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipponator

I did gfci and then a regular circuit also because I found that my Vega would trip the outlet and support said I needed to put them into a non-protected outlet.

Let me clear this...

You have a GFCI breaker and regular outlets?

And whats a VEGA??....Old computer monitor? haha

madean · 11/30/2012, 10:49 PM

vega is an led light that is produced by AI or aqua illuminations. Its their newest led light.

Tickle · 11/30/2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptreef

Thats what I thought, either or.....

I have now had my breaker trip twice the last 2 nights, different times and for no apparent reason. Also this has been running for the last yr plus w/o issues and really nothing has changed in the last 6 weeks and never had issue until last night?

The outlet never draws more than 7.2 amps, and when it triped nothing significantly changed or started....

Maybe I should swap out the GFCI outlet for a standard outlet and see if that solves it.

I'm not 100% sure but I believe a breaker can weaken and trip from a lighter load than what its rated. I'm no electrician but changing a breaker is just as easy to change as a outlet. Just kill the main power every time you do something in the box.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

ptreef · 12/02/2012, 08:13 PM

Ok, well I replaced the GFCI outlet sat morning with a regular outlet and left the GFCI breaker as is. All worked fine sat.
About 15 mins ago, the breaker tripped again. I caught it about 15 secs later and when to reset the breaker and it tripped again.

Ran extension cord to the EB8 and plugged it in. Reset breaker and it worked.
Every time it trips has been around 8;45- 9:55pm. The times it trips nothing (on/off) changes?

Hmmm..wondering if the breaker is going bad?
Also anyone think a grounding probe could be to blame? I think I will unplug next and see if the breaker trips in next few days....

ptreef · 12/02/2012, 08:18 PM

Also here it what is plugged into (15A circuit)

1.) gounding probe
2.) bubble magus triple doser
3.) EB8-
4.) empty

EB8 outlets
-500w of MH's ON when tripped
-108w t-s Actinic OFF
-2 hydor koralia 1400 ON when tripped
-bubble blaster 7000 return pump ON when tripped
-skimmer feed pump (syncra 1.5) ON when tripped
-skimmer pump (bubble blaster 3000)ON when tripped
-300w eheim jager heater OFF

total of about 7.0A when tripped on a 15A breaker

11/30/2012, 08:40 PM	#1
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	adding an extra ciruit for tank..... Do I use GFCI breaker and GFCI outlet or.... Regular breaker and GFCI outlet? GFCI breaker and regular outlets... Thanks,

11/30/2012, 08:56 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	+1 to the above. Reasons against a GFI breaker for me would be if I wanted something on the circuit before the tank without GFI. A GFI breaker is also a bit more "permanent" if you or people occupying the house after you wish to switch it back to regular outlets. Swapping a standard outlet is a little more DIY-able for the average skilled person than swapping a breaker in a panel. Other than that, if it's 100% for the tank it's a toss up. I'd lean towards an outlet simply for cost, I think they are roughly half the price __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/30/2012, 08:58 PM	#5
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	I wouldn't double....there is no real need and they could potentially interfere with each other with nuisance trips __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/30/2012, 09:18 PM	#7
Skipponator Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Apple Valley, MN Posts: 537	I did gfci and then a regular circuit also because I found that my Vega would trip the outlet and support said I needed to put them into a non-protected outlet. __________________ Got crabs? Current Tank Info: Exiting hobby.

12/02/2012, 08:13 PM	#11
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	Ok, well I replaced the GFCI outlet sat morning with a regular outlet and left the GFCI breaker as is. All worked fine sat. About 15 mins ago, the breaker tripped again. I caught it about 15 secs later and when to reset the breaker and it tripped again. Ran extension cord to the EB8 and plugged it in. Reset breaker and it worked. Every time it trips has been around 8;45- 9:55pm. The times it trips nothing (on/off) changes? Hmmm..wondering if the breaker is going bad? Also anyone think a grounding probe could be to blame? I think I will unplug next and see if the breaker trips in next few days.... Last edited by ptreef; 12/02/2012 at 08:19 PM.

11/30/2012, 08:49 PM	#2
barrettrhoades Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 123	Either one serves the same purpose. A gfi breaker will protect everything on that circuit. A gfi outlet will protect the outlet, and any outlet downstream of the gfi. If there is an outlet before the gfi, it will be unprotected. I am not sure if there is any other advantage to a gfi breaker vs just the outlet.

11/30/2012, 08:54 PM	#3
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	Thats what I was wondering, especially since the GFCI breakers are ~ $50 locally QO120GFCI's...... Looking at how most are setup however in our house, They doubled, up GFCI breaker & GFCI outlets.

11/30/2012, 10:49 PM	#9
madean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 994	vega is an led light that is produced by AI or aqua illuminations. Its their newest led light.

12/02/2012, 08:18 PM	#12
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	Also here it what is plugged into (15A circuit) 1.) gounding probe 2.) bubble magus triple doser 3.) EB8- 4.) empty EB8 outlets -500w of MH's ON when tripped -108w t-s Actinic OFF -2 hydor koralia 1400 ON when tripped -bubble blaster 7000 return pump ON when tripped -skimmer feed pump (syncra 1.5) ON when tripped -skimmer pump (bubble blaster 3000)ON when tripped -300w eheim jager heater OFF total of about 7.0A when tripped on a 15A breaker