How many power points are you guys using?

[koniyakutz]

Hi guys,

How many main power points are you using for your marine tank? I'm in the mist of planning my 5ft tank and I'm facing an electrical problem. I only have one main power point to power the folowing equipment,

1) 0.5hp or 1hp chiller

2) 300W MH (150W*2)

3) 160W T5

4) 4 * pumps (including one MD55)

5) A couple of in-tank wave makers

I might be adding more equipment in the future and I'm concerned about the safety issues pertaining to using one main point. Even if I were to use an extension cord, the load would still be on a single NCB and I'm also worried about fire.

Would appreciate it you guys could provide some feedbacks.

Thanks

[bslong]

me not an electric man, but i am only using one main powerpoint with two extensions, each extension can support 6 power socket.

and all my sockets is taken up, some socket even have 2 applicances plugs on it.......so far so good.......except when lighting strike close by there might be a power trip.......

[acidjazz]

me not an electric man, but i am only using one main powerpoint with two extensions, each extension can support 6 power socket.

and all my sockets is taken up, some socket even have 2 applicances plugs on it.......so far so good.......except when lighting strike close by there might be a power trip.......

tt's dangerous. . .

i have 3 main power points, with additional 4 extension plugs, total sockets used is 18.

[bslong]

no choice......cos my room only have one main point which is nearest to my tank.......

[koniyakutz]

I was told its not the number of main points used but rather whether each individual point is connected to a NCB.

Else, it will still trip when there is an overload or surge.

[koniyakutz]

Anyone else here using a single main point to power all your equipment?

[acidjazz]

dude, i believe it might be possible to use only a single output if ur tank is less than 2ft. But for a 5ft. . no way. . .

Let's do a simple calculation:

1) Return pumps x 2

2) Chiller pump

3) Skimmer pump

4) Wavemaker x1 or x2

5) Main Lightings x2

6) Cabinet lightings x1

7) Chiller

8) Calcium reactor (in future)

9) Controllers/monitos of any sort

10) Fan

the list can go on. . to be on the safe side, need to invest in more output.

[bslong]

any expert know what the maximum load (Watts) one main putput can support?

I think that regardless of how many extension is used, as long as the total load does not exceed the maximum load for one main output it should be ok, rite???

[Oceandeep]

main thing here is the current rating of individual item draw

and also the current rating the extension wire/plug/socket/mcb

can stand without overheat the plastic.

so simple calculation :

1) Return pumps x 2 (50W x 2 =100w, 0.5A)

2) Chiller pump (50w, 0.25A)

3) Skimmer pump (100w, 0.5A)

4) Wavemaker x1 or x2 (25 x 4 = 100w, 0.5A)

5) Main Lightings x2 (150x2 = 300W, 1.5A)

6) Cabinet lightings x1 (20w, 0.125A)

7) Chiller (300w, 1.5A)

8) Calcium reactor (in future) (50W pump , 0.25A)

9) Controllers/monitos of any sort (0.2A)

10) Fan (0.2A)

total approx 6A.

Mcb rating is 20A/15A

Socket/Extension rating ??

wire rating??

so the only concern here will be the extension/socket/wire/plug that you

use. As it may not withstand the 6A rating.

[mansiz]

It's still better to seperate into 2 different source, it might be a hazard. As most of the aquarium power point are 24/7, fire can occurs easily if overheated. For my case, I got 3 source, one source to 6 socket, one source to 4 socket, and last one to my light without extention (due to the timer too big, so no choice).

[koniyakutz]

main thing here is the current rating of individual item draw

and also the current rating the extension wire/plug/socket/mcb

can stand without overheat the plastic.

so simple calculation :

1) Return pumps x 2 (50W x 2 =100w, 0.5A)

2) Chiller pump (50w, 0.25A)

3) Skimmer pump (100w, 0.5A)

4) Wavemaker x1 or x2 (25 x 4 = 100w, 0.5A)

5) Main Lightings x2 (150x2 = 300W, 1.5A)

6) Cabinet lightings x1 (20w, 0.125A)

7) Chiller (300w, 1.5A)

8) Calcium reactor (in future) (50W pump , 0.25A)

9) Controllers/monitos of any sort (0.2A)

10) Fan (0.2A)

total approx 6A.

Mcb rating is 20A/15A

Socket/Extension rating ??

wire rating??

so the only concern here will be the extension/socket/wire/plug that you

use. As it may not withstand the 6A rating.

MCB rating is standard at 20A/15A for homes?

Thats what I'm worried about, was told the same MCB might be shared by several other points.

For safety sake, my last resort would be to have an electrician tap the incoming mains and have a seperate MCB.

[Oceandeep]

well to see any other appliances sharing, very ez.

switch off the mcb that the fishtank using and see any other

appliances using. The only worry is water heater, aircon and

fridge.