Electrical Problem !! ??

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by techno2, Jan 5, 2010.

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  1. techno2

    techno2 Stylophora

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2007
    Messages:
    959
    :help:

    OK
    So here is the scoop.
    On two separate occasions over a few months, the GFCI breaker that feeds all the equipment has tripped.
    During a water change this weekend, the breaker tripped again and continued to do so.

    I tried various things to narrow it down, and think I have found the culprit.
    Underneath where the sump is, I have two timer power strips and one regular power strip.
    I removed the two timer strips and relocated power. It has been fine for two days.

    I suspect some kind of moisture or salt creep was shorting one of the plugs. I even had all the un used ones
    Plugged with those safety caps.



    QUESTIONS
    1.) Has this happened to anyone ?
    2.) What did you do to solve it ?
    3.) I have cleaned the power strips with electrical cleaner, will that work ??


    Cheers
     
    techno2, Jan 5, 2010
    techno2, Jan 5, 2010
    #1

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  2. divott

    divott Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2009
    Messages:
    3,658
    Location:
    holland landing, ontario ,canada
    are the power sitting flat or upright? do you have drip loops on your cords? mine are underneath my tank , but sitting upright on the side of my stand. ive never had a problem with my gfci's kicking out.
     
    divott, Jan 5, 2010
    divott, Jan 5, 2010
    #2
  3. techno2

    techno2 Stylophora

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2007
    Messages:
    959

    They are up underneath with the bottoms velco to the back wall. So when you look underneath the plugs are facing you. I have a plastic shield surrounding the outlet on the wall and a loop in the cord.

    One of my troubleshooting was to take all the main cords and run them to another circuit. This worked. I then added a portable GFCI adapter thingy, and it popped. Once removed the timer strips, no more tripping. Not sure which one it is though.


    Cheers
     
    techno2, Jan 5, 2010
    techno2, Jan 5, 2010
    #3
  4. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2003
    Messages:
    5,538
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC,Canada
    Yes I have had this happen.
    Over time salt creep via evaporation and splashing enters the power bar. I have not been able to "fix" the power bar and have ended up replacing them
     
    Jason McKenzie, Jan 5, 2010
    Jason McKenzie, Jan 5, 2010
    #4
  5. piezopaul

    piezopaul Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2008
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    NC
    It really doesn't take much for those things to go bad. A little rust, a little evaporated salt water mist and they become unreliable. Looping the cord is important, but I think getting them out of the highly humid salty evironment near the pumps and the protein skimmer is also important. I think the only way to see which one is bad is to sub them out one at a time. It might be like car headlights. Once you"re replacing one, you might as well replace them all. Just a matter of time before the next one goes bad.- Paul
     
    piezopaul, Jan 5, 2010
    piezopaul, Jan 5, 2010
    #5