How much current?

Jorgens · 02/23/2007, 06:04 PM

Ok I have 1 dedicated 20amp breaker for my tank on a gfi circut. I just got my MH fixture today. Odyssea 72" with 250w MH. 4x96w PC. with that and an ASM skimmer, viaaqua2900, 48" 260w PC for refigium and 2 smaller powerheads.

Am I overloading the circut? The gfi just tripped and nothing was wet. I reset and off we went.

How many amps ruffly is all that? any electrical guru's that can chime in?

AZDesertRat · 02/23/2007, 06:10 PM

Here is a link to the electrical calculator on the RC home page, you can figure it yourself.
http://reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

Tripping a GFI and tripping a circuit breaker are two entirely different things, one is a ground fault or electrical leakage into the tank and the other is an overloaded circuit.

Jorgens · 02/23/2007, 06:52 PM

I guess I was more curious as to the amperage I was pulling. The breaker did not trip just the gfi. And nothing was wet. I reset and off we go. Appreciate that link tho! thanks

AZDesertRat · 02/23/2007, 06:56 PM

If you add up all your wattage and divide by 120 that will give you your amperage. You did not provide the watts on all the equipment so only you can figure it.

Jorgens · 02/23/2007, 07:34 PM

thats kinda what i was looking for ...thanks!! I'm pulling 18amps on a 20 amp circut. a little too much id say eh?

Also can I put a 20 amp gfi instead of the 15amp thats installed? The breaker is a 20 amp breaker.....

thanks in advance

jtreath · 02/23/2007, 07:57 PM

well some of your issues is to know the gauge of your wiring as well. If you try and run a 20 or 30 Amp circuit breaker on 15 Amp wire you will possible have overheating in your wires.. especially if you are drawing 18 amps as it is.

Can you run another dedicated line?

Jorgens · 02/24/2007, 09:56 AM

I'm not an electrician but I believe it's 12g wire

Jorgens · 02/24/2007, 09:57 AM

As for another dedicated line no. the box is full. However I could borrow from say the bedroom/hallway lights. thats on it's own 15amp. The living room has it's own 15amp. only thing there is the TV which is never on cause we watch the fish..lol

This isn't anything id try myself. But I'd like to give the electrician more info on what it is we do. Most can't fathom that a tank need THAT much electricity....

02/23/2007, 06:04 PM	#1
Jorgens Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 309	How much current? Ok I have 1 dedicated 20amp breaker for my tank on a gfi circut. I just got my MH fixture today. Odyssea 72" with 250w MH. 4x96w PC. with that and an ASM skimmer, viaaqua2900, 48" 260w PC for refigium and 2 smaller powerheads. Am I overloading the circut? The gfi just tripped and nothing was wet. I reset and off we went. How many amps ruffly is all that? any electrical guru's that can chime in? __________________ Can't fix stupid Current Tank Info: 180g Acrylic, mixed reef, 55 fuge,DSB,

02/23/2007, 06:52 PM	#3
Jorgens Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 309	I guess I was more curious as to the amperage I was pulling. The breaker did not trip just the gfi. And nothing was wet. I reset and off we go. Appreciate that link tho! thanks __________________ Can't fix stupid Current Tank Info: 180g Acrylic, mixed reef, 55 fuge,DSB,

02/23/2007, 07:34 PM	#5
Jorgens Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 309	thats kinda what i was looking for ...thanks!! I'm pulling 18amps on a 20 amp circut. a little too much id say eh? Also can I put a 20 amp gfi instead of the 15amp thats installed? The breaker is a 20 amp breaker..... thanks in advance __________________ Can't fix stupid Current Tank Info: 180g Acrylic, mixed reef, 55 fuge,DSB, Last edited by Jorgens; 02/23/2007 at 07:40 PM.

02/24/2007, 09:56 AM	#7
Jorgens Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 309	I'm not an electrician but I believe it's 12g wire __________________ Can't fix stupid Current Tank Info: 180g Acrylic, mixed reef, 55 fuge,DSB,

02/24/2007, 09:57 AM	#8
Jorgens Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Posts: 309	As for another dedicated line no. the box is full. However I could borrow from say the bedroom/hallway lights. thats on it's own 15amp. The living room has it's own 15amp. only thing there is the TV which is never on cause we watch the fish..lol This isn't anything id try myself. But I'd like to give the electrician more info on what it is we do. Most can't fathom that a tank need THAT much electricity.... __________________ Can't fix stupid Current Tank Info: 180g Acrylic, mixed reef, 55 fuge,DSB,

02/23/2007, 06:10 PM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Here is a link to the electrical calculator on the RC home page, you can figure it yourself. http://reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php Tripping a GFI and tripping a circuit breaker are two entirely different things, one is a ground fault or electrical leakage into the tank and the other is an overloaded circuit.

02/23/2007, 06:56 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	If you add up all your wattage and divide by 120 that will give you your amperage. You did not provide the watts on all the equipment so only you can figure it.

02/23/2007, 07:57 PM	#6
jtreath Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Canada Posts: 309	well some of your issues is to know the gauge of your wiring as well. If you try and run a 20 or 30 Amp circuit breaker on 15 Amp wire you will possible have overheating in your wires.. especially if you are drawing 18 amps as it is. Can you run another dedicated line?