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Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:21 pm
by J0NATHAN85
Not sure if I'm allowed to say the name of the store, but this is an important item to buy and I had a little trouble finding it at first.

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:53 pm
by steve
Yes, you are allowed to name/link stores. We don't like links with referral codes in them, but very few try to do that.

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 2:10 am
by penelope
New answer to an old post.
Don't put a second GFCI on a circuit that already carries another GFCI - they will often trip each other. For example, whoever owned my home before me installed a GFCI on an outdoor socket, and two indoor sockets that all rode on the same circuit. They kept tripping each other.
Once a GFCI is installed correctly and other outlets are connected to it, correctly, then those subsequent outlets are also protected by the single GFCI.
Unless you are an electrician, my best advice is to have a qualified electrician complete the work.
If you choose to do it yourself, have them inspect the work you have already completed.
It is a cheap fix. You don't need an electrician to install a GFCI, but a good idea to have one tell you *where* to install it....
Free inspections are free...

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:11 am
by steve
That depends on how it was wired. My brother is the one with the electrical know-how, but it sounds like you have a feed through type of installation method. The other method is a pigtail splice, where the outlet branches off the line. He prefers the pigtail method because if one outlet fails, you know that's the one to fix.

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 10:42 pm
by penelope
Worked for me as I was reaching in to grab Penelope,.I knocked the hood and plop! Right in the water.
The bulbs instantly exploded, but the GFCI tripped.
So glad i put that thing in a few weeks sgo when i read this post.
Had to vacuumn the tank forever, even after it looked like the glass was gone to be certain.
Another reason why i am glad a have a bare bottom tank.
My welcome home gift.
This bad turtle luck HAS TO STOP!!!
But glad to be alive.

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:50 am
by dumbork14
question: do i need to buy a UPS if i already have a GFCI? thanks

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:27 am
by michaelg
UPS and GFCI are two different things. A GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It has a built in "breaker" that will trip, cutting off the outlet so the fault can't cause an issue somewhere esle. UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply. It provides power in the event that there is a loss of power to the outlet, like during a power outage.

GFCIs are generally used where water is in close proximity to the outlet, like in a bathroom or kitchen. And in our case, by aquariums or ponds. If an aquarium were to crack or break and leak onto the outlet it will start to sizzle, heat up and then start a fire. With a GFCI, once there is a fault, the little breaker on the outlet will trip and there'd be no more power to the outlet to start a fire.

-Michael

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:59 pm
by dumbork14
thanks michael!

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:32 am
by penelope
Not to mention the more important issue of electrocution...
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5039.html
the link is about pools, spas and hot tubs, However, the results of water and electricity are the same.

GFCI - saves your behind
UPS - keeps technology alive during a power outage

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:30 am
by penelope
GFCI wins again!
Thanks to stupid factor times 10, I didn't close the input on my filter before disconnecting it to clean. Mini-waterfall is a slight understatement. I have my cords looped below the socket (as recommended), but that didn't help in this scenario. Anyway, the GFCI tripped and we survived yet another water versus electricity show-down.

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:02 am
by steve
Wow, I'm very glad it was put in!

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:28 am
by penelope
Unbelievable!! third time now...this time I started the FX5 after a cleaning and water came pouring out from all sides! Thank goodness the plug tripped again. I was panicing trying to stop the water and 20-30 gallons later (most on the carpet) the water stopped pouring out ...by then socket #2 tripped. Checked the baskets,.etc. started it and bam!! Another 10-15 gallons on the carpet and the 2 sockets tripped again. Water all over again! I went outside to chill and there was the dang gasket on the lawn :evil: ...a) I need someone to yank my turtle license, b) thank goodness for renter's insurance cuz this was one I needed a pro to clean up (no black mold allowed) and c) thank Heaven for those sockets!!! Hoping I am done proving their value. I am starting to feel quite stupid. :oops:

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:44 am
by steve
Oh man! That's crazy... but I think we've all had plenty of accidents, especially when working with a new setup. It takes some time to figure out the best way to do maintenance. Let's see... accidently created a siphon, left heaters plugged in, plenty of spills, ruined carpet runners, water splashed onto walls and ceilings come to mind.

If you're cleaning the filters outside, can you turn them on to see if they're setup correctly?

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 12:39 am
by penelope
Yes. I will use my all-weather Christmas light extension cord!!!!
OK - I have to fess-up...
Stupid water factor #4 (for those who still refuse to put in a GFCI) - this was a while ago.
I opened the window, took off the screen, put the hose in the tank, coiled it a round a few times so it wouldn't slip out, turned the water on mid-way, peeked in, life was good. I turned the water on full blast and as I am standing outside I see the hose turn into the infamous "water snake." It did a fine job of leaving its mark around the whole room.
Only a 30 second run, but my work computer paid for that one (it was not on a GFCI).
After it dried off, I had to come up with a r-e-a-l good excuse for putting in a requisition for a new laptop.
So, yeah...no one and nothing is immune.
Ummm Steve...you sure you don't want to take away my turtle license? - lol
Me and water obviously do not get along.

Re: SAFETY FIRST - PLEASE READ!

PostPosted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:14 am
by steve
Ah, maybe you just have an issue with water :)