Nano elec setup with GFCI. How does this look?

[whisk]

I'm going to be setting up my 24gallon Nano soon and just wanted to make sure it's going to be safe for my family and house. My condo was built in '86 and has three prong outlets in the walls. I have read up on GFCIs and drip loops and the sorts and have come up with a diagram to how I want to set it up. Can you take a look and tell me what you think? Is it safe? Any fire hazards seen? Also, I see from others 100% majority to have a GFCI, but its like 50/50 on whether to have a ground probe, not sure if i really need one or not? I have heard about splitting the equipment over two surge protectors in case the GFCI trips, but if I have a 2nd surge protector, I then use the 2nd outlet in the wall and wont have an outlet for the ground probe. What is the best approach? I only have one power outlet near the tank. Thanks for the advice.

 

[wattsupdoc]

You should be OK like you have it drawn. However if you wanted to split it up and use two GFI's, just go:
SS----
GFI1--plug strip-half your stuff
GFI2-Plug strip-other half your stuff
Probe

 

[whisk]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
http:///forum/post/2802488
You should be OK like you have it drawn. However if you wanted to split it up and use two GFI's, just go:
SS----
GFI1--plug strip-half your stuff
GFI2-Plug strip-other half your stuff
Probe
Whats the SS stand for? Now that I think of it, i dont think I could have two GFIs coming out of the same outlet because their base is too big and it would only be able to fit in one. Unless i can find one where the circuitry is in the middle of the cord...anyways, so if both outlets are taken up by the GFIs, where would i plug the probe? i thought it has to go into the wall and not into a strip? thanks Wattsupdoc!

 

[scsinet]

There is a device made that will solve your problem. It looks like a 6-8" long extension cord. It's designed for use with power strips. You've seen how power supply type plugs (adapters) take up like 3 outlets on a power strip because they are so big, right? These guys are designed to plug into a power strip then accept the power supply so that you have room for multiple plugs. See attached pics.
The original models are called "Power Strip Liberator" but they are available all over in lots of different names. I know Fry's stocks them and I think Fry's stores are everywhere in CA. You should also be able to find them at most computer stores, and numerous places online. That will extend your GFI plugs so you can plug them both in.
Another way would be a heavy duty triple tap. (See attached again..). These things can handle a full 15 amps safely, surely enough power to run a nano. You can then just plug the two GFIs into this, and it will leave an open receptacle for your grounding probe. I know for a fact that both Lowe's and Home Depot carry them. Around the holidays, just about every store that sells xmas lights will have them in their holiday section.
FYI... the ground probe can plug into your power strip as long as all of your cords are good quality 3 wire cords. The GFI units do not interrupt (turn off when tripped) the grounding wire, so you could do that, though going into the receptacle directly is ideal.

 

[whisk]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/2803587
There is a device made that will solve your problem. It looks like a 6-8" long extension cord. It's designed for use with power strips. You've seen how power supply type plugs (adapters) take up like 3 outlets on a power strip because they are so big, right? These guys are designed to plug into a power strip then accept the power supply so that you have room for multiple plugs. See attached pics.
The original models are called "Power Strip Liberator" but they are available all over in lots of different names. I know Fry's stocks them and I think Fry's stores are everywhere in CA. You should also be able to find them at most computer stores, and numerous places online. That will extend your GFI plugs so you can plug them both in.
Another way would be a heavy duty triple tap. (See attached again..). These things can handle a full 15 amps safely, surely enough power to run a nano. You can then just plug the two GFIs into this, and it will leave an open receptacle for your grounding probe. I know for a fact that both Lowe's and Home Depot carry them. Around the holidays, just about every store that sells xmas lights will have them in their holiday section.
FYI... the ground probe can plug into your power strip as long as all of your cords are good quality 3 wire cords. The GFI units do not interrupt (turn off when tripped) the grounding wire, so you could do that, though going into the receptacle directly is ideal.
Wonderful, I was hoping you would reply to my thread. I have read many of your posts (and Wattsupdoc's) in regards to GFCI's and ground probes and have found them most useful. Thanks for the info and advice, yes there is a Fry's about 20 mins from here.
I'll have to think about the triple tap, im kinda wary about pluging multiple devices into one of those, it's probably safe but I have this weird thing about them. I want to sleep at night peacefully without worry of fire. I had a friend who woke up in the middle of the night with his fishtank room on fire and I do not want that to happen. I'm going to be very anal about making this fire safe.
Thanks again for your help, any other feedback you have is much appreciated. I'm still looking for a surge protector to buy. Any brands you prefer? I saw this one at home depot...it looks like it has a built in GFCI?
Also, when you say the ground probe can be plugged into the surge protector and all cords must be 3 prong, does that mean all devices plugged into the protector must be 3 prong (powerheads, heaters, etc?)

 

[whisk]

another question, if i use a GFCI outlet as the wall outlet, is it ok i plug the ground probe into that? it doesnt cancel each other out or anything like that?

 

[scsinet]

There are two types of protection out there these days. One is GFCI which is meant for ground fault and human protection, and the other is AFCI (Arc-Fault-Circuit-Interrupter) which is meant for fire safety.
Judging from the printing on the box you posted, I'd say it's an AFCI power strip which will provide some protection on a tank, but not what you need.
GFCIs do not disconnect or trip open the grounding conductor in operation, so it is perfectly acceptable to connect your grounding probe to a GFI outlet's receptacle. As long as the receptacle is wired correctly and securely grounded, you are fine.
Be advised, however, that Wattsup's suggestion will not be solved by a wall receptacle. Wattsup's suggestion is based on the notion that GFIs have been known to trip for no good reason (known as "nuisance tripping"). If this happens when you are at work or otherwise away, you can come home to a dead tank (tounge-in-cheek: nuisance-tank-crashing). Therefore, the idea is to split critical equipment across two GFIs. He didn't elaborate, but most ideally, you want each powerhead fed by a different GFI. This way if one GFI trips, the other will keep your tank alive.
In really big setups, there is often very complete redundancy. My 180g reef is powered by two dedicated 15 amp circuits, each with a GFI. I have multiple pumps, heaters, powerheads, everything all split up. The tank can be fully supported indefinitely if either GFI trips. A wall receptacle like the one shown has ONE GFI protection circuit. Both receptacles will shut off at the same time, so even if you used two power strips, it would all go out.
As far as the triple tap is concerned, your concern is valid, and electrical safety is always a good thing in abundance. Keep in mind that I am talking about the really heavy duty triple taps that are rated for a full 15 amps. Many people think that too many things in one outlet equals a fire hazard, but it's the total draw. A 15 amp receptacle can handle 1,875 watts. If you plugged 180 devices into that outlet that draw 10 watts each, you are at no more risk of overload than plugging in one space heater that draws 1800 watts, as long as the cords (power strips, splitters, whatever) are good quality, UL certified devices, all rated for a full 15 amps. I hope that makes sense. Therefore, if the equipment list of your tank doesn't change, it won't really make a big difference safety wise what taps and cords you use, as long as they are nice heavy duty stuff.

 

[whisk]

Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/2806769
There are two types of protection out there these days. One is GFCI which is meant for ground fault and human protection, and the other is AFCI (Arc-Fault-Circuit-Interrupter) which is meant for fire safety.
Judging from the printing on the box you posted, I'd say it's an AFCI power strip which will provide some protection on a tank, but not what you need.
GFCIs do not disconnect or trip open the grounding conductor in operation, so it is perfectly acceptable to connect your grounding probe to a GFI outlet's receptacle. As long as the receptacle is wired correctly and securely grounded, you are fine.
Be advised, however, that Wattsup's suggestion will not be solved by a wall receptacle. Wattsup's suggestion is based on the notion that GFIs have been known to trip for no good reason (known as "nuisance tripping"). If this happens when you are at work or otherwise away, you can come home to a dead tank (tounge-in-cheek: nuisance-tank-crashing). Therefore, the idea is to split critical equipment across two GFIs. He didn't elaborate, but most ideally, you want each powerhead fed by a different GFI. This way if one GFI trips, the other will keep your tank alive.
In really big setups, there is often very complete redundancy. My 180g reef is powered by two dedicated 15 amp circuits, each with a GFI. I have multiple pumps, heaters, powerheads, everything all split up. The tank can be fully supported indefinitely if either GFI trips. A wall receptacle like the one shown has ONE GFI protection circuit. Both receptacles will shut off at the same time, so even if you used two power strips, it would all go out.
As far as the triple tap is concerned, your concern is valid, and electrical safety is always a good thing in abundance. Keep in mind that I am talking about the really heavy duty triple taps that are rated for a full 15 amps. Many people think that too many things in one outlet equals a fire hazard, but it's the total draw. A 15 amp receptacle can handle 1,875 watts. If you plugged 180 devices into that outlet that draw 10 watts each, you are at no more risk of overload than plugging in one space heater that draws 1800 watts, as long as the cords (power strips, splitters, whatever) are good quality, UL certified devices, all rated for a full 15 amps. I hope that makes sense. Therefore, if the equipment list of your tank doesn't change, it won't really make a big difference safety wise what taps and cords you use, as long as they are nice heavy duty stuff.

Thanks again SCSInet. What you said was very clear and makes a lot of sense. I definitely have a better understanding. I'm going to research a bit more, especially AFCI. Thanks again.