A couple of months ago, I reached into one of my tanks and grabbed an old
powerhead and got a BIG shock. It seems that over the years, the cord had
pulled out of the epoxy enough for the bare wires to be exposed.
However, the GFCI did not trip. I'm not saying 'don't have one', I'm
saying - don't ignore routine inspection of your equipment just because you
have a gfci. Also, don't expect a gfci to protect you 100%. They aren't
magic. Since the powerhead did not have a ground, and the tank was not
grounded, the GFCI did not trip.
That's because GFCI's monitor the amount of current in the hot and neutral
wires. If there is more than about 5 milliamp difference, the GFCI trips.
The problem I ran into is that I got between the hot and neutral.
Here's a link that explains how GFCI's work:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question117.htm
Geoff Kimber
Lexington,KY
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nanfa_at_aquaria.net On Behalf
Of Richard Rego
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 11:18 PM
To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
Subject: Re: NANFA-- GFCI/FIRES/Electrical
Hey All,
While we are on this subject, does anyone have any stories of fires or
electrical incidents that happened as a result of your fish keeping? I am
working on an article regarding fire and electrical safety as it relates to
fish keeping.
So basically, if you burnt your house down because you like darters, I'd
like to know about it. Please reply to my private e-mail (if your too
embarrassed to let everyone know about your little "incident") or to the
list (if you think people can learn from it!).
Any bit of information will help, Thanks.
Rick Rego
MA/New England NANFA Rep.
mummichog_at_naisp.net
The above e-mail is my new address, please delete my former address
newzoo_at_juno.com from your address books, etc.
Thanks again.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd Crail" <farmertodd_at_buckeye-express.com>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: NANFA-- GFCI
> I didn't realize they came with a complimentary Fundulus julisia ;)
>
> I know it's expensive because it's expensive to begin with. That auto
reset
> is sweet and having the plug n play capability (read: no wiring) is
> something worth paying for by the non electrician masses.
>
> But my box thing I was gonna do will total at about $10 out the door. It
> helps that I know where to get the old GFCI's at closeout price and not
the
> new XGFCI's which we're all going to get railed on. ;)
>
> I can't cost justify 4x and I don't expect you to even attempt to get in
> this ballpark :)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark" <nanfa_at_jonahsaquarium.com>
> To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 10:26 PM
> Subject: Re: NANFA-- GFCI
>
>
> > At 9:58 PM -0500 12/9/03, Todd Crail wrote:
> > >Does it just go into one of the outlets in the recepticle? IE it only
> takes
> > >up one "plug"? I was kinda into running the grounding probe to this
> > >recepticle, and the probe has to stay behind the gfci. Where do they
> sell
> > >them?
> > >
> > >Thanks Mark... This might look a lot better than the former idea :)
> >
> >
> >
> > Where do they sell them? Why, your favorite fish store and mine --
> > http://jonahsaquarium.com/
> >
> > Ground Fault Circuit Inter. GFCI-1 (Little Giant) $40.00
> > Prevents electrical shock in case of leak in electrical current. Use
> > indoors or outdoors. Has automatic reset.
> >
> > Yeah, you plug one end into the wall and plug your powerstrip or
> > whatever into the other end. Well, I guess I'm assuming it will work
> > equally well with a power strip as with a single appliance. You
> > could inquire with the manufacturer, Little Giant: 1-888-956-0000.
> > Yeah, it only takes up one outlet in your wall receptacle.
-- > /"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily > / reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes > / Association" > / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association > / nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word > / subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to > / nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to > / nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead. > / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org-- /"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily / reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes / Association" / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association / nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word / subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to / nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to / nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead. / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org /----------------------------------------------------------------------------- /"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily / reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes / Association" / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association / nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word / subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to / nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to / nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead. / For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org