scopus tang
Active Member
Ok, problem solved
. Still doesn't make sense to me that they would make it out of plastic but oh well!
GFCI Help
- Thread starter fishfreak1242
- Start date
fishfreak1242
Active Member
Man, I never thought there would be this big of a debate. I decided to cut off the plastic piece and hope that it works still. Its plugged into my tank right now and is working great. Thankyou for the visuals, time, and effert.
notsonoob
Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2577105
Ok, problem solved
. Still doesn't make sense to me that they would make it out of plastic but oh well!
because it really has no purpose but to fit over the non-used outlet and stabalize it and keep you from using the other outlet. It has no functioning purpose..
You are only using one outlet and protecting it as a GFCI. That means the top outlet (the one you are using) is the load, and the five outlets are the line. The line would be your main power from your panel and the load is what you are protecting. (the five outlets you are protecting from a short.)
http:///forum/post/2577105
Ok, problem solved
because it really has no purpose but to fit over the non-used outlet and stabalize it and keep you from using the other outlet. It has no functioning purpose..
You are only using one outlet and protecting it as a GFCI. That means the top outlet (the one you are using) is the load, and the five outlets are the line. The line would be your main power from your panel and the load is what you are protecting. (the five outlets you are protecting from a short.)
gmann1139
Active Member
Originally Posted by NOTSONOOB
http:///forum/post/2577154
because it really has no purpose but to fit over the non-used outlet and stabalize it and keep you from using the other outlet. It has no functioning purpose..
That's not completely true.
Its other purpose is to limit the number of connections you make into that outlet, so you don't overload it and cause a fire.
Think Griswold Christmas here.
Too many plugs = too much amperage = fire hazard
http:///forum/post/2577154
because it really has no purpose but to fit over the non-used outlet and stabalize it and keep you from using the other outlet. It has no functioning purpose..
That's not completely true.
Its other purpose is to limit the number of connections you make into that outlet, so you don't overload it and cause a fire.
Think Griswold Christmas here.
Too many plugs = too much amperage = fire hazard
scopus tang
Active Member
Originally Posted by NOTSONOOB
http:///forum/post/2577154
because it really has no purpose but to fit over the non-used outlet and stabalize it and keep you from using the other outlet. It has no functioning purpose..
You are only using one outlet and protecting it as a GFCI. That means the top outlet (the one you are using) is the load, and the five outlets are the line. The line would be your main power from your panel and the load is what you are protecting. (the five outlets you are protecting from a short.)
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2578828
That's not completely true.
Its other purpose is to limit the number of connections you make into that outlet, so you don't overload it and cause a fire.
Think Griswold Christmas here.
Too many plugs = too much amperage = fire hazard
Thanks guys. I get the stabilization issue, even get the fact that its preventing you from using the other plug ~ just doesn't seem logical that they use plastic. In my mind plastic and inserting into a plug outlet, even a ground (which I understand has no current running through it) doesn't make all that much sense. Kind of sounds to me like "the gun isn't loaded, shove your finger down the barrel!" I suppose that in reality its really no different then the little plastic tabs you insert into the plugs to keep kids from sticking stuff in them, so no big deal. Thanks again.
http:///forum/post/2577154
because it really has no purpose but to fit over the non-used outlet and stabalize it and keep you from using the other outlet. It has no functioning purpose..
You are only using one outlet and protecting it as a GFCI. That means the top outlet (the one you are using) is the load, and the five outlets are the line. The line would be your main power from your panel and the load is what you are protecting. (the five outlets you are protecting from a short.)
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2578828
That's not completely true.
Its other purpose is to limit the number of connections you make into that outlet, so you don't overload it and cause a fire.
Think Griswold Christmas here.
Too many plugs = too much amperage = fire hazard
Thanks guys. I get the stabilization issue, even get the fact that its preventing you from using the other plug ~ just doesn't seem logical that they use plastic. In my mind plastic and inserting into a plug outlet, even a ground (which I understand has no current running through it) doesn't make all that much sense. Kind of sounds to me like "the gun isn't loaded, shove your finger down the barrel!" I suppose that in reality its really no different then the little plastic tabs you insert into the plugs to keep kids from sticking stuff in them, so no big deal. Thanks again.
fishfreak1242
Active Member
Thanks for all the help everyone. I finally understand it now I hope that you guys do too. The GFCI is finally set up and fully running in one of my outlets. I still have one other question, when I tried to plug in two powerstrips into the GFCI, it kept shutting off everything. Is this because I was overloading the GFCI? (all of the other outlets were being used too). I had a feeling it was so I unplugged one of the strips. Is it still safe to use? It isnt shutting off anymore but all of the plugs on it are used up and there is a powerstrip connected to it and most of the plugs in that are used up. Thanks
scsinet
Active Member
GFIs do not trip due to overcurrent, they trip due to faults.
If plugging one of your powerstrips in causes a trip, it's because you have a fault someplace. What I'd do is unplug everything from both strips. Then plug the two strips in, and start plugging one item in at a time until you find the one that's causing the trip. You'll likely find that one item is doing it, regardless of how many other things are (or aren't) plugged in. That piece of equipment has a ground fault and should be repaired or replaced.
One exception is electronic ballasts. Sometimes electronic ballasts can generate harmonics that confuse the circuitry inside the GFI and cause what's known as 'nuiscance tripping.' Narrow it down as I described above and post your results.
If plugging one of your powerstrips in causes a trip, it's because you have a fault someplace. What I'd do is unplug everything from both strips. Then plug the two strips in, and start plugging one item in at a time until you find the one that's causing the trip. You'll likely find that one item is doing it, regardless of how many other things are (or aren't) plugged in. That piece of equipment has a ground fault and should be repaired or replaced.
One exception is electronic ballasts. Sometimes electronic ballasts can generate harmonics that confuse the circuitry inside the GFI and cause what's known as 'nuiscance tripping.' Narrow it down as I described above and post your results.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by fishfreak1242
http:///forum/post/2577112
Man, I never thought there would be this big of a debate. I decided to cut off the plastic piece and hope that it works still. Its plugged into my tank right now and is working great. Thankyou for the visuals, time, and effert.
It won't.
The "plastic piece" is what attaches to the ground, is it not?
http:///forum/post/2577112
Man, I never thought there would be this big of a debate. I decided to cut off the plastic piece and hope that it works still. Its plugged into my tank right now and is working great. Thankyou for the visuals, time, and effert.
It won't.
The "plastic piece" is what attaches to the ground, is it not?
prime311
Active Member
The only point to the plastic piece is to hold the thing into the bottom outlet so its not doing anything. Putting plastic into outlets isn't a problem either, people do it all the time with childproof outlet blockers. The reason they use plastic for the thing and not metal is because they don't want to draw current out of the outlet. Cutting the plastic piece should cause no issues.