Tunze 6060 Trips GFCI

Datone · 12/14/2005, 03:33 PM

I have a Tunze Stream 6060 that had been working perfectly until today. I was in the room with my tank when everything in the tank went out. I narrowed the problem down to the Tunze. I have everything on 2 power strips. One has the GFCI button which is the one the tunze was on. Whenever I plug it in, it trips the GFCI. I tried it on the other strip with the same result. I then tried it on the lone plug above the plug the GFCI outlet ir plugged into and the same thing happened. I have had this less than 6 months. Any ideas?

rvitko · 12/14/2005, 03:45 PM

I could test it on a watt meter to verify it is using the correct wattage and I could check for stray voltage using a Warner Fault Current Alarm. Short of that if everything checks out (which I suspect it will) it is a fault of the GFCI, some EMF interference generated by the pump or their is another source of stray voltage and the pump being grounded is leading it out. The last cause is unlikely because GFCI's only measure a difference in potential from the hot to the neutral lead but motors and ballasts often have momentary differentials even under normal operation. I do know that the GFCI code was recently changed and they are far more sensitive now. Basically, I can test it but as long as everything checks out safe, the solution is a new outlet, likely non GFCI for this appliance.

Datone · 12/15/2005, 10:54 AM

Found out the problem. My heater broke inside the sump. I didn't find out for 3 hours later. I did a water change and didn't unplug the heater (the heater was advertised to shut off if there was no water). I ended up losing a percula doing water changes, etc. I think (I hope) I saved my other fish. I'm surprised the GFCI went back on with the heater spiking my tank.

rvitko · 12/15/2005, 11:05 AM

Good to know. I get occasional reports of this as well as the pump shocking people and it never is true in test conditions. The common problem is generally that the pump is the only grounded appliance in the tank and this creates an induction effect that makes the pump seem to be the problem. As soon as you run the pump independently in a bucket it no longer shocks you or trips a GFCI. I have seen the same thing happen with other grounded pumps and while I don't completely understand why it isn't the fault of the pump.

12/14/2005, 03:33 PM	#1
Datone Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 59	Tunze 6060 Trips GFCI I have a Tunze Stream 6060 that had been working perfectly until today. I was in the room with my tank when everything in the tank went out. I narrowed the problem down to the Tunze. I have everything on 2 power strips. One has the GFCI button which is the one the tunze was on. Whenever I plug it in, it trips the GFCI. I tried it on the other strip with the same result. I then tried it on the lone plug above the plug the GFCI outlet ir plugged into and the same thing happened. I have had this less than 6 months. Any ideas?

12/14/2005, 03:45 PM	#2
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	I could test it on a watt meter to verify it is using the correct wattage and I could check for stray voltage using a Warner Fault Current Alarm. Short of that if everything checks out (which I suspect it will) it is a fault of the GFCI, some EMF interference generated by the pump or their is another source of stray voltage and the pump being grounded is leading it out. The last cause is unlikely because GFCI's only measure a difference in potential from the hot to the neutral lead but motors and ballasts often have momentary differentials even under normal operation. I do know that the GFCI code was recently changed and they are far more sensitive now. Basically, I can test it but as long as everything checks out safe, the solution is a new outlet, likely non GFCI for this appliance. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

12/15/2005, 11:05 AM	#4
rvitko RC Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Austin Texas USA Posts: 35,785	Good to know. I get occasional reports of this as well as the pump shocking people and it never is true in test conditions. The common problem is generally that the pump is the only grounded appliance in the tank and this creates an induction effect that makes the pump seem to be the problem. As soon as you run the pump independently in a bucket it no longer shocks you or trips a GFCI. I have seen the same thing happen with other grounded pumps and while I don't completely understand why it isn't the fault of the pump. __________________ Roger Vitko Tunze USA "He's for every one of us, stands for every one of us, he'll save every man, woman and child in a mighty Flash!" Current Tank Info: 210 gallon planted tank with Altum Angelfish

12/15/2005, 10:54 AM	#3
Datone Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 59	Found out the problem. My heater broke inside the sump. I didn't find out for 3 hours later. I did a water change and didn't unplug the heater (the heater was advertised to shut off if there was no water). I ended up losing a percula doing water changes, etc. I think (I hope) I saved my other fish. I'm surprised the GFCI went back on with the heater spiking my tank.