I just got electricuted--- plz help!!

[alvintheclownfish]

no dont get me wrong i have a surge protector, the one with the timers on it!!

 

[Anonymous]

no dont get me wrong i have a surge protector, the one with the timers on it!!

A surge protector isn't the same as a GFI Alvin, it does nothing to protect you from getting shocked if some component is faulty. A surge protector is designed to kick out a circuit if there is a power surge which would damage sensitive stuff, like your TV or computer, it protects your equipment. A GFI sprotects you from being shocked by leaking electricity.

Here's a snip on what a GFI does:

A GFCI is much more subtle. When you look at a normal 120-volt outlet in the United States, there are two vertical slots and then a round hole centered below them. The left slot is slightly larger than the right. The left slot is called "neutral," the right slot is called "hot" and the hole below them is called "ground." If an appliance is working properly, all electricity that the appliance uses will flow from hot to neutral. A GFCI monitors the amount of current flowing from hot to neutral. If there is any imbalance, it trips the circuit. It is able to sense a mismatch as small as 4 or 5 milliamps, and it can react as quickly as one-thirtieth of a second.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/question117.htm

 

[alvintheclownfish]

wow, that is very important, that should be the first rule in setting up a tank.. holy c*&p. yea lol just sticking my hand in the tank now i have to build up courage for a sec lol. how can i install one of them? can i do it or i have to call an electrician?

 

[Anonymous]

wow, that is very important, that should be the first rule in setting up a tank.. holy c*&p. yea lol just sticking my hand in the tank now i have to build up courage for a sec lol. how can i install one of them? can i do it or i have to call an electrician?

I don't know, can you :lol: ? Google it there are many articles on how to install a GFI. If you are not comfy with that idea, have a pro come in.

 

[Kevin207]

Here is a new GFCI outlet called a SHOCK BUSTER that you can buy and just plug in (instead of calling in an electrician to install a GFCI receptacle/outlet):
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=TW39013

Here is another variation of the Shock Buster:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... ct=TW38085

I do not know how good they are. They are made in China. They are not a Lutron or Leviton product (mainstream power outlet/receptacle manfacturers). But for less than $13, it will get you started. Maybe I will test them with a real world test somehow. Any suggestions?

I just purchased two of each last month. This is in case one thing shuts down the whole tank doesn't shut down. I have one return to the tank plugged into one and another return line plugged into another. I have the chiller and heater on yet another, and a second heater on yet another.

I hope this helps.

 

[jlneng]

Hey Knuckle head,
spend 20$ on a GFI and quit risking your life and your livestocks'.

 

[alvintheclownfish]

Hey Knuckle head,
spend 20$ on a GFI and quit risking your life and your livestocks'.

who u callin a knucklehead?

 

[Anonymous]

WOW, thanks for the comments, i did the checks by finger and it was the heater so i didnt get shocked again thankfully, so i did go buy a heater b4 it closed but wow, getting shocked never even crossed my mind!!!!

Electricity and salt water is a dicy combination.


You are INSANE for not using a GFCI, and also in violation of electrical codes which require them wherever you can touch water and provide a conduit for electrons.

Get one and install it.

Get this.

 

[Mihai]

No kidding, if the conditions are right, you may easily die without a GFI. I bet your last thoughts would be something like "What a stupid way to die! If only I have spent those $20 on a GFI".
There are "external" GFIs at any hardware store that require absolutely no installation - just plug it in between the wall outlet and the powerstrip you use for the tank. If it trips something is amis. Mine *never* tripped. Then you can try to stick your hand in. Allegedly you'll not feel anything as it trips before you can.

Mihai

 

[trido]

Anyone who can read and use a screw driver can install a GFCI (Ground Fault Circiuit Interupt) The back of the outlet says in clear writing " Hot wire (Black), Nuetral (White), and Ground (bare copper). Simply find the circuit breaker in the house and shut it off (If you cant figure this out definately call an electricion) If you have knob and tube wiring in an old house, I would highly recommend calling an electricion. Afterward read the directions in the box. On the GFCI there is a seperate set of holes covered by yellow tape. DO NOT USE THOSE HOLES. When you put it all back together, flip the breaker and if it doesnt trip you have done the job correctly.

 

[Anonymous]

The pop switch is for overloading protection of computer equipment. If it pops, I will need to find out your life insurance claim. Please don't give me more work than I need.

 

[alvintheclownfish]

i cant find one at home depot or loews the external one!!! did any body get theirs there?

 

[Anonymous]

Buy the internal one and do it right. The external one is problematic after power outages (it doesn't come back on).

 

[janbokev]

:lol: :lol: :lol: I Have just had the best laugh I have had for ages reading this thread, (Sorry) although I would have of opted for the neighbours cat idea rather than my finger. On a serious note though Please take care next time

 

[Mihai]

Ask the guys, they look like a really short (3') power extender with only one input (a plug) and one output (socket) and two buttons. If you're worried about installing one, get the external one - much better than an uninstalled "internal".

M.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Knuckle head,
spend 20$ on a GFI and quit risking your life and your livestocks'.

who u callin a knucklehead?

He wasn't talking to me....

 

[Meloco14]

Anyone who can read and use a screw driver can install a GFCI (Ground Fault Circiuit Interupt) The back of the outlet says in clear writing " Hot wire (Black), Nuetral (White), and Ground (bare copper). Simply find the circuit breaker in the house and shut it off (If you cant figure this out definately call an electricion) If you have knob and tube wiring in an old house, I would highly recommend calling an electricion. Afterward read the directions in the box. On the GFCI there is a seperate set of holes covered by yellow tape. DO NOT USE THOSE HOLES. When you put it all back together, flip the breaker and if it doesnt trip you have done the job correctly.

I always thought white was hot and black was neutral. Am I missing something?

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone who can read and use a screw driver can install a GFCI (Ground Fault Circiuit Interupt) The back of the outlet says in clear writing " Hot wire (Black), Nuetral (White), and Ground (bare copper). Simply find the circuit breaker in the house and shut it off (If you cant figure this out definately call an electricion) If you have knob and tube wiring in an old house, I would highly recommend calling an electricion. Afterward read the directions in the box. On the GFCI there is a seperate set of holes covered by yellow tape. DO NOT USE THOSE HOLES. When you put it all back together, flip the breaker and if it doesnt trip you have done the job correctly.

I always thought white was hot and black was neutral. Am I missing something?

The flow of electricity in typical household circuits starts with the two 120-volt lines and single neutral line that enter the top of the service panel. Both 120-volt lines are used to make the 240-volt circuit, though only one neutral line is needed for the electricity to complete its loop. The 120-volt circuit has one hot wire (black) and one neutral wire (white), plus a copper ground wire (green). In case of a short, the ground wire carries the current safely into the ground.

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jhtml?stor ... =cat250086