Gfci

aztec reef

aztec reef

Active Member
The Only things that needs to be plugged into a gfci is two prong equipment..Thus is ungrounded electricity current ... Thats why usually metal-incase appliences and high voltage/wattage appliances must have a ground..(a 3rd prong)
Any electrical discharge under water has the potential to kill, regardless of intensity..Not to mention burn...water and electricity don't mix, neither does water and oil..
people don't get electrocuted via the average 120v residential outlets,(unless u put an operating hair dryer/toaster in the bathtub full of water).. But the toaster and the hair dryer voltage are not the casue of death but rather the electrical circuit getting drawn by the outlet into the water using your body as a ground/neutral..
Although people do get shocked and stuned noticibly ...But thats when ur reflexes usually let go of the shocking un-insulated wires/plugs.
However indrustrial outlets are a different story, but they also don't use the average teeny fuse-box that residentials uses..Also most residential outlets are equiped with GFCI receptables.
That said,
"The idea behind grounding is to protect the people who use metal-encased appliances from electric shock. The casing is connected directly to the ground prong".
But dont get me wrong, I still advocate the use of one....Especially if your house becomes a water park in every water change..
But all the GFCI does, it aids on faults that a grounded/ungrounded circiut may have
hence, GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
This might help ..
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question110.htm
 
jimvette1

jimvette1

Member
Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
http:///forum/post/2724341
The Only things that needs to be plugged into a gfci is two prong equipment..Thus is ungrounded electricity current ... Thats why usually metal-incase appliences and high voltage/wattage appliances must have a ground..(a 3rd prong)
Any electrical discharge under water has the potential to kill, regardless of intensity..Not to mention burn...water and electricity don't mix, neither does water and oil..
people don't get electrocuted via the average 120v residential outlets,(unless u put an operating hair dryer/toaster in the bathtub full of water).. But the toaster and the hair dryer voltage are not the casue of death but rather the electrical circuit getting drawn by the outlet into the water using your body as a ground/neutral..
Although people do get shocked and stuned noticibly ...But thats when ur reflexes usually let go of the shocking un-insulated wires/plugs.
However indrustrial outlets are a different story, but they also don't use the average teeny fuse-box that residentials uses..Also most residential outlets are equiped with GFCI receptables.
That said,
"The idea behind grounding is to protect the people who use metal-encased appliances from electric shock. The casing is connected directly to the ground prong".
But dont get me wrong, I still advocate the use of one....Especially if your house becomes a water park in every water change..
But all the GFCI does, it aids on faults that a grounded/ungrounded circiut may have
hence, GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
This might help ..
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question110.htm

PLEASE believe me, I have been in the electrical trade for over 32 years and I am not trying to start any arguments here, honest.
But a statement like "people don't get electrocuted via the average 120v residential outlets" is a very dangerous statement to make.
More people have been killed by 120 volts than any other voltage. It is the most common voltage present at a residential outlet than any other. It takes only a few milliamps of current to kill. All is needed is a pathway across the heart to kill.
PLEASE don't give people the false imprecision that 120 volts are safe.
And once again I am not trying to do anything but inform people.
Some things in these forums are subject to one's interpretation of lighting, filters used, kinds of fish to buy, but ELECTRICITY CAN KILL no arguments can change this.
 
one/eighth

one/eighth

Member
Can I add to this? How does a grounding probe work and where do I buy one? I dont want to be shocked by stray electricity. Oh and Im also installing a GFCI. Im not sure what the argument is here but I can only imagine that its better to be safe than sorry. And for only a few dollars to help protect my stuff, what could be wrong with that?
 
jimvette1

jimvette1

Member
One/Eighth
It lets you know if a stray voltage is present.
If you have any Electrical Supply Houses in your area I would try them first because they are better trained in how to properly use the device. If not try a LOWES or HOME DEPOT but don't count on the people to be as well versed on its proper operation. Not their fault, they just don't always get the proper training.
 
drtito

drtito

Member
Originally Posted by One/Eighth
http:///forum/post/2725073
Can I add to this? How does a grounding probe work and where do I buy one? I dont want to be shocked by stray electricity. Oh and Im also installing a GFCI. Im not sure what the argument is here but I can only imagine that its better to be safe than sorry. And for only a few dollars to help protect my stuff, what could be wrong with that?
+1
also should the GROUNDING PROBE be pluged in to my GFI and should I run my GFIs parillal or independent??
WOW the danger of eletricity.
 
rcoultas

rcoultas

Member
Originally Posted by DrTITO
http:///forum/post/2725092
+1
also should the GROUNDING PROBE be pluged in to my GFI and should I run my GFIs parillal or independent??
WOW the danger of eletricity.

In answer to your question - no - the ground needs to be tied directly into a grounded lead not thru any device such as plug or GFI. Also, the GFCI's are always independant although one GFI can protect other outlets further down the line - the "load" side of the GFI protects every outlet beyond it on the same circuit.
Secondly - the statements above by Aztec are absolutely false and I find it very disconcerting that such advice is given. The metal encased appliances are now required to have grounded receptacles due to their ability to become electrified - this is regardless of their proximity to any water source.
The fact regarding three pronged plugs is that they do NOT prevent ground fault - they are a second line of defense - but when it comes to water involvement the electricity will find the shortest path to ground - guess what people - you're it !! The 3 pronged plug does NOT eliminate the need for GFCI protection when water is nearby.
Lastly, as stated above - the vast majority of all residential electrical system are 120/208v and are the most common cause of deaths. As I stated earlier - 1/10 of one amp can kill the average adult - many flourescent ballasts, as one example, will have an output of 800 milliamps (or 8/10ths of one amp)
Aztec - you put a lot of good advice out there but on this subject you are obviously ill-informed so please don't take this as a personal attack - just a clarification.
 
jimvette1

jimvette1

Member
Originally Posted by DrTITO
http:///forum/post/2725092
+1
also should the GROUNDING PROBE be pluged in to my GFI and should I run my GFIs parillal or independent??
WOW the danger of eletricity.

Most GFCI's receptacles have line and load screws on the side. This allows the GFCI to protect outlets "downstream" of the outlet. Obviously this only works on the same circuit. A separate GFCI is needed for each circuit.
Now if you add a GFCI CIRCUIT BREAKER in your panel box then all outlets on that circuit are protected.
A Grounding Probe plugged into a GFCI outlet might possibly trip the GFCI because it would be sensing a path to ground. This I'm not sure of. If you are using a GFCI “IMO” a grounding probe would not be needed.
Before adding anything make sure all circuits are not energized!
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I've had a few lights fall into the water while I was working on my tank and customers tanks. Thank God for GFCI Units or else I wouldn't be here today sharing this information.
 
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