Fire close call

[MLB]

I just had a very close call. Thank god i was home. I heard 3 loud pops did not know where it was coming from. On the 4th I saw a bright flash and smoke started to fill my cabinet and fill the area between my water level and my glass top from my surge protector and my power head. Of course I unplugged everything! I am now nervous to plug anything into my surge protectors. So I need to find a solution ASAP before I start loosing my fish. Any suggestions on power strips that reduce risk of fire and is ok to be used in the very moist environment that is salty as well?

 

[Fate]

I would first find out what exactly started the fire. Was it the surge protector itself?

 

[dbone]

Gfci !!!

 

[EyeReef]

Sounds like water got to it somehow. Glad you caught it in time. I had a similar close call in the past and that was enough to scare me to death. I now leave all my electrical away from the sump and behind a water barrier. I have a closed Rubbermaid container that holds a few surge protectors at the moment and loop all my cables and away from the ground.


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[MLB]

Joseph and Denny thank you for your replies. Not sure what the cause was. My surge protector had scorch marks but I saw the bright flash from my powerhead. Both were smoking. The scorch marks were not on the outlet where the powerhead was plugged.

I would like a power strip that has a GFCI.

 

[MLB]

Sounds like water got to it somehow. Glad you caught it in time. I had a similar close call in the past and that was enough to scare me to death. I now leave all my electrical away from the sump and behind a water barrier. I have a closed Rubbermaid container that holds a few surge protectors at the moment and loop all my cables and away from the ground.


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Mike do you have any photos of your setup? I like the idea of a water barrier.

 

[dbone]

Do yourself a favor and install a GFCI outlet. It will protect the entire circuit. You don't have to do it at where the tank is but as long as its on the same line/breaker. Should be easy but hire an electrician if you are not comfortable doing it. Also look into titanium ground probe.

 

[MLB]

Thank you Denny! I just bought a titanium grounding prob. I will hire an electrician to not only do a GFCI plug but also check plug set up for both my saltwater and planted tanks. Any Idea's what I do until then? Can anyone recommend a good electrician? I live in Huntington Beach.

 

[Playa-1]

I like to keep my powerstrips out from under the stand whenever possible.

 

[MLB]

Update:I bought a hospital grade GFCI powerstrip, delivered tomorrow. Still trying to find good electrician. All I have plugged in now is the pump that is plugged into a regular wall socket outside of the cabinet. If anyone can please share a photo of how their electrical system is setup I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Fate]

MLB sent you a pm