GFCI question

[Saltwatercoral2]

I dont have any GFCI outlets, and changing them out really is a last resort thing.. So I am wondering will this work and provide the same protection?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202510243/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=gfci&storeId=10051


Installing a GFCi outlet isnt out of the question, but if I went this route.. is the 15 amp the one im wanting?

[viper12775]

yes that will do the same thing as a gfci outlet would and the 15 amp would work the breaker on that circuit i would guess has a 15 amp anyway

[hkgar]

Add up the wattage of what you are running in your tank and divide by 96 to determine the amps you need. You also need to consider anything else running on the same breaker.

[Saltwatercoral2]

Mag 9.5- 93
ATI sunpower 324
mp40- 28
heater 250 watts
sro 2000 ints 24 watts.

Added all that up and got 7.48 when i divded the total by 96.

I will more then likely add another mp40 and maybe another heater if needed.

[alton]

Add up the wattage of what you are running in your tank and divide by 96 to determine the amps you need. You also need to consider anything else running on the same breaker.

Can you explain why you divide wattage by .96 versus 120v or whatever the voltage is at the wall?

[Saltwatercoral2]

anyone else.. Gonna head out to go find a GFCI here shortly so I can get my aquarium up and running.

[hkgar]

Can you explain why you divide wattage by .96 versus 120v or whatever the voltage is at the wall?

Here is a link to the math. Note that allows for overload. If you can be sure of never an overload, you could divide be 120 or volts at the wall. The 96 just gives a level of additional safety

http://answers.ask.com/Consumer_Electronics/Other/how_many_watts_per_amp

[geaux xman]

i've read on RC about these GFCI outlet plug-ins failing before on RC. well tripping due to some unknown reason when someone is on vacation and then coming home to a tank crash.

heres one thread, but i will try and find the one where a guy came home with almost everything dead.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2045668&highlight=gfci

just laying out the possibilities that these arent bullet proof.

[geaux xman]

here are the threads. not saying that GFCI arent needed, just plan it out thoroughly. as i was reading, there are some good ideas as in plugging equipment into different outlets, etc.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1672535&highlight=gfci

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1660835&highlight=gfci

[doctorgori]

Since gfci isn't optional the next best thing is alerting....
Granted a fault condition will kill your tank but at least a Apex or RKL can alert you if you are away and you can plan for such contingencies accordingly...
IMHO the 150 for a Apex is cheap insurance all things considered

[geaux xman]

from what i'm reading, the GFCI plug-in outlet will trip when there's an electricity outage and requires you to press the button to reset. if you're not home, then your tank could be shut down for hours or even days if you're on vacation.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2030159

i've been putting it off, but i think i'm just going to have someone install the GFCI breaker.

[Fryman]

It's not hard to install a GFCI... why not just do it yourself?

You can buy them @ any big hardware store.

[doctorgori]

from what i'm reading, the GFCI plug-in outlet will trip when there's an electricity outage and requires you to press the button to reset. if you're not home, then your tank could be shut down for hours or even days if you're on vacation.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2030159

i've been putting it off, but i think i'm just going to have someone install the GFCI breaker.

Thing is; a ground fault will trip whether its at the outlet or the breaker box...

although a few folks over at the Neptune forum did say cheapo Home Depot GFCI's can/will nusiance trip over just noise....

Yeah man, get some protection regardless...you simply can't run a tank w/o a GFCI no matter what....

[Saltwatercoral2]

So my sister had an extra GFCI outlet... Only thing is, its a 20Amp one.. Will this still be ok?

[Saltwatercoral2]

anyone?

[Fryman]

So my sister had an extra GFCI outlet... Only thing is, its a 20Amp one.. Will this still be ok?

Are you concerned because the breaker is only 15amp? I believe you can install a 20 amp GFCI outlet on a 15 amp breaker.

Edit (quick google search):
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electrical-Wiring-Home-1734/20-amp-GFCI-outlets.htm