Equipment Review and Discussion :: Quick, easy, and cheep GFCI!!

[N4784N R4613]

Look what I found on Drs. Foster and Smith today...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 006+113825

All you need is a regular three-prong outlet, and to can plug this in, and make it a GFCI!!! And it is relatively cheep, compared to having one installed by an electrician !!

[Safdar]

How is this compared to a surge protector
Cuz i got a 2000 joules surge protector for 10 bucks
With 7 outlets

[N4784N R4613]

A surge protector is just what its name says, it protects stuff from a power surge, like a lighting strike(not very common). While a GFCI protects against electrocution, like say a clamp light falling into the tank, and frying your turtle(which is very possible).

It is just something everyone should have when dealing with electricity, and water. Like say in your kitchen, you probably have outlets with a red "Test" button, and a black "Reset" button. GFCI justs cuts the power AS SOON AS something goes wrong, so you still get a "zap," but it is cut off VERY FAST, so it is not deadly.

[Safdar]

Ahh okay
Thats cool

I learned something today!

[SpotsMama]

That really is a great price. I got portable surge protectors from Lowe's for $25 each and they look exactly the same as these.

A surge protector is not the same as a GFCI. A surge protector protects equipment from damage caused by surges in power. A GFCI protects against a ground, which can be a killer or at best a fire hazard. Because a ground in water can be so very dangerous it's especially helpful to have a GFCI where you're using a lot of electrical equipment around water; ie, an aquarium. Most building codes will mandate GFCI outlets for outdoor uses.

[DavidY]

That's an excellent find, Nathan! I gotta' get me a couple of those too.

[marisa]

The Lowes near me sells single ShockBusters for $10.99 plus tax and the 5-outlet Shockbuster for $15.99 plus tax. It also has the three outlet one, but I've never looked at the price. I have the single and 5-outlet ones.

I had one (two outlets) installed by an electrician, and it cost $15.00, including the fixture. He was already here to do some other work, though, which is why it was so cheap.

[Kallistos]

Now if you plugged a surge protector into the GFCI would you get surge protecting and GFCI?

[marisa]

Good question. I've asked it an never really got a definite response. I have a surge protector plugged into the GFCI that's been installed in the wall. Because of the location of the portable ones, this has not been possible to do.

[N4784N R4613]

I would think they would still work on a surge protector. It can sense a VERY small imbalance between the "hot" and the ground. And if there is some electricity that is not returning to the "neutral" i.e. going though you, or the turtles, it will trip.

[DavidY]

The thing about using a GFCI is that some of the cheaper glass heaters can leak a small amount of stray current into the tank which would trip the GFCI as soon as you touched it, even though you may not feel anything. So make sure to check your heater if you get a GFCI and it keep tripping mysteriously.

[steve]

Now if you plugged a surge protector into the GFCI would you get surge protecting and GFCI?

I believe so because the current is going downstream.

[DavidY]

Would the surge damage the GFCI?

[N4784N R4613]

I don't think so, some people say the GFCI trip when a surge comes though, I don't know for sure though.