Do I need a GFCI if nothing is near water?

[edsbeaker]

Is the only purpose of a GFCI outlet to protect it from splashes and water?
My tank and sump are on the other side of the wall from where everything is plugged in. There is no chance of the outlets getting wet, so I’d prefer to not add one if it’s unnecessary.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Not just about water. You can have a ground fault on a device that could start a fire or actually shocking you as well. I've been shocked by devices that I thought were insulated lol.

 

[KQuillan]

Especially with salt water, equipment, I would not risk not having some sort of GFCI.

 

[mpatterson42]

It's also a good idea to have a grounding probe in your tank somewhere and then plugging it into a GFCI socket, that way if any of your electronics ever start leaking voltage into the aquarium it will trip the GFCI. In this case you'd also want some kind of alerting if the GFCI trips.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I took my tank off GFCI. It would trip and my tank would sit without power until I came home and found it.

Most people seem to like them, but I consider them too high of a risk.

 

[edsbeaker]

We have a house that was built two years ago. Do all new homes these days have all 3 wires in all the outlet boxes even if it isn’t a GFCI? I’m asking because then it would be simple to install, right?

 

[Dragen Fiend]

We have a house that was built two years ago. Do all new homes these days have all 3 wires in all the outlet boxes even if it isn’t a GFCI? I’m asking because then it would be simple to install, right?

It can vary based off location and age.

Won't know depending on colors. But most of the time its live wire, neutral and ground. Sometimes you get two live wires and one neutral.

 

[Johnd651]

I took my tank off GFCI. It would trip and my tank would sit without power until I came home and found it.

Most people seem to like them, but I consider them too high of a risk.

Was it GFCI, AFCI, or CAFCI? The second two serve a different purpose, but are more sensitive and now required more often.

 

[edsbeaker]

It can vary based off location and age.

Won't know depending on colors. But most of the time its live wire, neutral and ground. Sometimes you get two live wires and one neutral.

Thanks!

 

[winxp_man]

General Contractor here. I also do electrical. Yes install a GFI outlet.

 

[winxp_man]

It can vary based off location and age.

Won't know depending on colors. But most of the time its live wire, neutral and ground. Sometimes you get two live wires and one neutral.

That would be a two or three way switch then.

 

[winxp_man]

I took my tank off GFCI. It would trip and my tank would sit without power until I came home and found it.

Most people seem to like them, but I consider them too high of a risk.

You’re drawing more current than that outlet is rated for. There are 15 amp outlets, and 20 amp outlets. They are the same looks wise. Until you read the fine print on the outlet.