Giving up on GFCI protection for hydroponic pumps

My guess is that the 80K reading means the thing is defective. I run 3 small pumps in a backyard decorative pond. Haven't tripped the GFCI in over

Ed

daestrom

Yep!

The OP likely isn't being careful about water leaks. He might even be exposing the GFCI modules to some of the salt aerosols.

If he cleans the pump motors and wiring (and uses some WD-40, he might have better luck. Trip indicating GFCIs would minimize "down time."

GFCIs do a very good job of detecting current leakage and that appears to be what he has.

Since he can't control the leakage I hope he grounds everything with multiple paths (in a wet environment, wires and ground connects can have problems.)

I do not know how to clean up water that has oozed into the innards of a submersible pump. I measure the resistance between a line pin and the grounding pin.

Bill

If possible, it would be best to strip the unit and treat the windings, as mentioned (assuming it is economically viable). Which would require flushing the windings with fresh water and then drying and perhaps treating them with one of the commercial products made for the purpose. First thing though would be to analyse and correct the reason for the water ingress, otherwise you would be wasting time. I dont know what size pump you use but perhaps a change to a low voltage unit with approved isolation tranny might be a solution to your problems. All in all it might be more economical to just go that way ?

Another possibility is to put them on an AFCI circuit. That includes

-- bud--

These are small pumps. It really is not feasible to disassemble them. I do not know how they are sealed. I certainly don't know how I would go about sealing them during reassembly. I would not be surprised if they use deformable gaskets.

Bill

That might be the way to go.

Bill

-- Support the troops. Impeach Bush. Oh, I forgot about Cheney.

Perhaps you might want to buy "in bulk" the variety of pump that so far has caused the least trips.

Once you have some spares or a reliable type of pump, use the "no prisoners" rule. Pumps that "trip" should be taken out of service ASAP and replaced with new/renewed pumps.. Ditto for GFCIs. Units that seem to trip too often might be replaced or at least given a shot of WD-40.

When you have a "zillion" small pumps leaking water here and there you have accidents waiting to happen. At the minimum you should establish "housekeeping" routines included washing down (with the power OFF) hoses, pumps, and even wires with FRESH water.

These are cheap pumps starting at about $20. My hydroponics is a hobby operation. In a commercial operation it would be economic to use large high quality pumps and isolation transformers. At $20 a pump and up, a stable of spare pumps just is not feasible.

Bill

-- Support the troops. Impeach Bush. Oh, I forgot about Cheney.