Gfci ......

fishoholic · #1 08-07-2010, 04:16 PM

I don't know much about the technical aspect of GFIC's but I do know that when I noticed my power head in my tank wasn't working I saw that the GFIC had been tripped. So I unplugged the cord, reset the GFIC and then plugged the cord back in again, and again it tripped the GFIC, the breaker the GFIC was on never tripped, it only tripped the GFIC.

When I finally looked back behind the tank and examined the power cord, much to my shock this is what I found:

All I have to say is thank God that the GFIC tripped, because the breaker it was on never did. Also very thankful that the only thing that got fried was the power cord and power head. I'm guessing water splashed out of the tank and onto the extension cord, causing a small electrical fire (which you can see the damage done to the cords in the above pic.'s) causing the GFIC to trip. Needless to say IMO if the GFIC hadn't tripped (or if I didn't have one) I'm guessing the damage would of been a lot worse!

Myka · #2 08-07-2010, 04:29 PM

It sounds like everyone in this thread thinks they know what they are talking about, but in reality it is a bunch of opinions without much education on a topic that is pretty important, and doesn't have room for opinions. Electricity doesn't run on opinion, it runs on predictable facts. Time for an electrician to chime in, and state the facts.

RR37 · #3 08-07-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

It sounds like everyone in this thread thinks they know what they are talking about, but in reality it is a bunch of opinions without much education on a topic that is pretty important, and doesn't have room for opinions. Electricity doesn't run on opinion, it runs on predictable facts. Time for an electrician to chime in, and state the facts.

Already tried stating the facts, GFI's only protect against electrocutions involving a ground fault. (Which is why I used them ) Anything else that can/will/may happen is circumstantial at best. Ergo, claiming that a house would not have burned down had said person(s) installed a GFI is absurd.

StirCrazy · #4 08-07-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR37

Already tried stating the facts, GFI's only protect against electrocutions involving a ground fault. (Which is why I used them ) Anything else that can/will/may happen is circumstantial at best. Ergo, claiming that a house would not have burned down had said person(s) installed a GFI is absurd.

but depending on what caused it, it could have prevented it. I don't thing anyone has said absolutly it wouldn't have happend with a gfi, but rather it might not have happened. depending on how it actualy started. a GFIC can protect a ground fault which could cause a fire.

Steve

RR37 · #5 08-07-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

but depending on what caused it, it could have prevented it. I don't thing anyone has said absolutly it wouldn't have happend with a gfi, but rather it might not have happened. depending on how it actualy started. a GFIC can protect a ground fault which could cause a fire.

Steve

A GROUND FAULT WILL NOT CAUSE A FIRE !

Its the arcing that causes fires...

StirCrazy · #6 08-07-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR37

A GROUND FAULT WILL NOT CAUSE A FIRE !

Its the arcing that causes fires...

ok.. look at it this way can a short cause a fire?

Steve

whatcaneyedo · #7 08-07-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RR37

Already tried stating the facts, GFI's only protect against electrocutions involving a ground fault. (Which is why I used them ) Anything else that can/will/may happen is circumstantial at best. Ergo, claiming that a house would not have burned down had said person(s) installed a GFI is absurd.

Its wonderful that its absurd that my house didn't burn down.

RR37 · #8 08-07-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

Its wonderful that its absurd that my house didn't burn down.

Ignorance is bliss.

I don't need to change the timing belt on my car because I change the oil every 4900K. Give your head a shake, thats comparable to the logic that people are using to defend the idea that a GFI can prevent fire. Anyone who has had a GFI prevent what they think would have been a fire is clearly displaying how unfamiliar they are with electricity period.

Doug · #9 08-07-2010, 09:59 PM

Unbelievable. Who gives a damm if one thinks or does not think it prevents fire or not. It should be used with aquariums. Period. Thats it. Wholley crap, what a stupid discussion. It should be about using one to save a life possibly. Regardless of anything else. If someone does not wish to thats their problem. All we can do is try tp persude them that its in their best interest.

Myka, would that maybe be the ones who told me there was not such thing as as a arc fault breaker.

mike31154 · #10 08-07-2010, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Unbelievable. Who gives a damm if one thinks or does not think it prevents fire or not. It should be used with aquariums. Period. Thats it. Wholley crap, what a stupid discussion. It should be about using one to save a life possibly. Regardless of anything else. If someone does not wish to thats their problem. All we can do is try tp persude them that its in their best interest.

Myka, would that maybe be the ones who told me there was not such thing as as a arc fault breaker.

He, he, I'm with you here. I attempted to steer the thread back to the original question, but it seems folks have very selective reading focus at the moment and are intent on flogging these electrons along a different path.