Equipment Fire

[csababubbles]

Are equipment fires common? Have you guys ever had one? What is the common causes of them? What equipment usually goes on fire? Any safety tips you guys can give?

 

[DonW]

Cheap power strips and loose connections are the big ones. Buy quality and don't overload and you won't have a fire.

Don

 

[csababubbles]

Is water getting into the plugs cause for a fire?

What are considered cheap powerstrips? Are those $10 5 plug ones they sell at Sears and Home Depot considered cheap?

 

[DonW]

SW causes poor connections. I only use power strips made with real outlets. The strips with all the outlets molded from one piece are usually what I'd consider cheap.

Don

 

[csababubbles]

Gotcha. Looks like I need to go replace some strips!

How about those American DJ power centers that have each outlet switched. I have three of them...are they considered cheap and fire hazards?

Also, is getting a power strip with a surge protector important? When you say 'SW causes poor connections' what does that mean? Does that mean if saltwater drips in the connections it will cause a fire?

Thanks for offering your advice!

 

[DonW]

Salt corrodes the connections. All the dj strips I've seen use the better individual nema socket and are nicely soldered. Most are a good choice for this hobby.

Don

 

[lizardarm]

When you say 'SW causes poor connections' what does that mean?

Saltwater causes excessive corrosion of the connectors which causes excess resistance to electrons flowing which causes heat buildup that can cause breakdown of the insulation on the connector/wires.

 

[csababubbles]

I was at Home Depot yesterday and found this power strip made by First Alert that says its the first power strip that actually prevents fires. Do you guys recommend this over the ones you mentioned? Its the molded plugs though...but they talk about the breakdown of the insulation that liazrdarm mentioned....so what do you guys think?

 

[csababubbles]

From the Manufacturer:

The Fire Shield Surge Strips are the only power strips with built-in intelligence to prevent Cord Fires, Surges, Overloads. State-of-the-art electronics detect cord damage and disconnect power in 25/1000 of a second, preventing cord fires. Every six minutes there is a cord-related fire in the United States. The special braided shield allows the plug-mounted electronics to continuously monitor for insulation breakdown or broken/frayed conductors. Standard electrical cords have no means of monitoring for leakage currents and cannot shut off power before these currents can arc and start a fire. Protect all your sensitive electronic equipment from the damaging effects of power surges and spikes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=124ZBEEH1MAAWNDZQP1W

 

[Scooterman]

I'd imagine that is better than the standard cheapies but I'm sure they are no talking about using around a SW tank. Us a GFCI wall outlet, good strip as the DJ, or real outlets, mount them off the flooring & keep drip loops & be aware of salt creep possibilities, & do a complete load calculation so your not overloading your circuits in the first place & your chances are very good of being safe. No guarantees when you play with electricity & water, anything out of the ordinary can happen.

JMO

 

[burning2nd]

Trip lite suppressors for me,

 

[csababubbles]

so whats the better option, the First Alert molded socket fire-shield surge strips or standard (non-fire shield) individual nema socket strips?

 

[burning2nd]

drip loop and a good power strip, I guess its not agood idea to say ill never have a fire, but observe safty at home and work,

electrical safety is important

dont over load strips dont run at the full duty cycle of a circuit.

have you had fires b4 or something?

 

[chadmace]

I use the Prime 6-Outlet Cord which has a nice long 15ft cord. Metal housing so you dont have to worry about it melting, as well as individual outlets. I have all mine connected to a GFCI for added safety.