thank goodness for fuses and circut breakers - Grow Room Safety - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

SKAGITMAGIC · 04-11-2011, 02:40 AM

Had a hydrofarm light-socket short out, melted the wire-nut down to the inside core, This was 1 side of a 240 lumatec 600 dual, it shut power right down with no damage to the ballast. this is the second time in 3 years i've had equiptment shorts, I was useing a cheap timer on a 1000 watt light, I have a old pic from my first grow here that showed how that worked, anyway I couldnt figure out why it decided to short out, no-ones pulled on or hung from the lights, I just don't know.

gardenbug · 04-21-2011, 09:57 AM

Something like that is usually a loose connection which makes it get hot. Looks like it got hot, melted off the plastic, and shorted out to ground. Exactly what that ground and the circuit breaker is there for. Might have just been loose or could be a fault in the equipment and that was just the weak point that went first.

sunnydog · 04-21-2011, 06:58 PM

Frightning!!!

Glad it worked out.
I hate when you do all you can and shit STILL goes bad.

SD

TNTBudSticker · 04-21-2011, 07:00 PM

Think a power surge protector would have stopped anything?

$5.00 at home depot...

gardenbug · 04-22-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNTBudSticker

Think a power surge protector would have stopped anything?

$5.00 at home depot...

Probably not. Those are meant more to protect from surges from the incoming power. Such as transformer blows, lightning, etc.
Most of them aren't even good at that though. The five dollar ones are probably just a splitter and not even a surge protector.

Rowdy420 · 04-22-2011, 10:10 PM

Electrical equipment develops a small vibration, over years these vibrations can cause shorts and faults. Electrical codes have been established to keep you safe, hence your breaker doing it's job. Don't try and re-invent the wheel when it comes to electricity, short cuts will get you burned in the long run, no pun intended. Stay safe.

Good luck, peace

Catchin1 · 05-31-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy420

Electrical equipment develops a small vibration, over years these vibrations can cause shorts and faults. Electrical codes have been established to keep you safe, hence your breaker doing it's job. Don't try and re-invent the wheel when it comes to electricity, short cuts will get you burned in the long run, no pun intended. Stay safe.

Good luck, peace

excellent advice and saying there my brother. I could not have said it any better myself.

One Love 731 · 05-31-2011, 09:02 PM

Lol, we were in the big city one afternoon, as we returned we noticed smoke in the distance. The closer we got we started to realize the time of the fire coincided with the time lights came on. At that point we were using cheesy timers for each 1000k. The stress built and built. I have seen with my own eyes cheap timers turn to flame. Luckily a warehouse close to the spot was on fire and our dreams were safe.

Stay safe out there peeps. 1

DiscoBiscuit · 05-31-2011, 09:19 PM

I know this was a mfg issue but we all use wire-nuts on occasion.

If you're using multi-strand wire, it's always best to twist the leads clockwise so the nut doesn't twist the leads apart. Romex needs romex quality nuts, not a multi-strand nut that just happens to fit.

For the best clamp, leads need to be no longer than the depth of the nut coil. Otherwise the wire taper may be too acute to clamp well. A good clamp job should resist vibration, so long as the nut is sufficient for the wire type and size.

supermanlives · 06-01-2011, 09:49 PM

wow lucky. i have never had any melting of anything but timers 2 of em .

04-11-2011, 02:40 AM	#1
SKAGITMAGIC Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: EdgE of the DarK RifT Posts: 335	thank goodness for fuses and circut breakers Had a hydrofarm light-socket short out, melted the wire-nut down to the inside core, This was 1 side of a 240 lumatec 600 dual, it shut power right down with no damage to the ballast. this is the second time in 3 years i've had equiptment shorts, I was useing a cheap timer on a 1000 watt light, I have a old pic from my first grow here that showed how that worked, anyway I couldnt figure out why it decided to short out, no-ones pulled on or hung from the lights, I just don't know. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Asking for forgiveness,is always easier than asking for permission The Magic is in the Seed
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04-21-2011, 06:58 PM	#3
sunnydog Drip King Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: in my hole Posts: 1,896	Frightning!!! Glad it worked out. I hate when you do all you can and shit STILL goes bad. SD __________________ SD Blumats! Automatic watering! Vertical Blumat grow Blumat adjustment procedure: (for soil)In a bucket ,fill and soak units under water for at LEAST an hour. Then screw on cap( nice and tight!) under water making sure not to trap any air. *Leave dripper line at ~8cm. long.* Give the pot a good watering. Insert B/M snugly into nicely compacted soil(not too loose) . Open till water comes out, carefully close until just a drop barely forms. Tighten 1.75 - 2 Arrows Adjust as necessary for a few days, then leave it alone! "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." ~ Unknown ~
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05-31-2011, 09:02 PM	#8
One Love 731 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: PNW Posts: 1,388	Lol, we were in the big city one afternoon, as we returned we noticed smoke in the distance. The closer we got we started to realize the time of the fire coincided with the time lights came on. At that point we were using cheesy timers for each 1000k. The stress built and built. I have seen with my own eyes cheap timers turn to flame. Luckily a warehouse close to the spot was on fire and our dreams were safe. Stay safe out there peeps. 1 __________________ Free your mind.
	Quote

05-31-2011, 09:19 PM	#9
DiscoBiscuit weed fiend Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Shakedown St. Posts: 14,779	(good tips, Rowdy) I know this was a mfg issue but we all use wire-nuts on occasion. If you're using multi-strand wire, it's always best to twist the leads clockwise so the nut doesn't twist the leads apart. Romex needs romex quality nuts, not a multi-strand nut that just happens to fit. For the best clamp, leads need to be no longer than the depth of the nut coil. Otherwise the wire taper may be too acute to clamp well. A good clamp job should resist vibration, so long as the nut is sufficient for the wire type and size. __________________
	Quote

04-21-2011, 09:57 AM	#2
gardenbug Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 266	Something like that is usually a loose connection which makes it get hot. Looks like it got hot, melted off the plastic, and shorted out to ground. Exactly what that ground and the circuit breaker is there for. Might have just been loose or could be a fault in the equipment and that was just the weak point that went first.
	Quote

04-21-2011, 07:00 PM	#4
TNTBudSticker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,546	Think a power surge protector would have stopped anything? $5.00 at home depot...
	Quote

04-22-2011, 10:10 PM	#6
Rowdy420 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 384	Electrical equipment develops a small vibration, over years these vibrations can cause shorts and faults. Electrical codes have been established to keep you safe, hence your breaker doing it's job. Don't try and re-invent the wheel when it comes to electricity, short cuts will get you burned in the long run, no pun intended. Stay safe. Good luck, peace
	Quote

06-01-2011, 09:49 PM	#10
supermanlives Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: gilligans island Posts: 13,142	wow lucky. i have never had any melting of anything but timers 2 of em .
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