Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Amperage spike/dead EB4

  1. #1
    Regular Vistor
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    21

    Amperage spike/dead EB4

    Not entirely sure if this is in the right forum but I experienced something a little unnerving last night. My EB4 recorded some amp spikes at 4am through about 430am. The spikes recorded as high as 90amps (momentary of course) before everything on the EB4 kicked off. The GFCI/AFCI plug must have tripped or completely failed as I’m unable to reset it. The only thing on the EB4 was the return pump (280watts) and an 800watt heater. It worked flawlessly for a few weeks and of course problems started when I began a 2 month trip and only my spouse to look after it. Any ideas or tips? Suggestions? Precautions? I’m not exactly sure of what to do here. The dedicated 20amp circuit also had a ground probe on it (not the EB4- the wall outlets). Could that have caused a problem? Any help would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    13,176
    Can you reset the GFCI with the eb4 unplugged from the wall?

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.

  3. #3
    Regular Vistor
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    21
    Quote Originally Posted by zombie View Post
    Can you reset the GFCI with the eb4 unplugged from the wall?

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.
    You’re going to have to be patient with me as I’m 1000miles from home and dependent on my wife to trouble shoot.

    I’m almost certain she tried resetting the GFCI without anything plugged into it. She said she wasn’t able to see a green light on the GFCI outlet but I’ll have her double check and maybe plug something into it.

    Here is what I know. Around 0430, the heaters kicked on. 800 watt is plugged into the EB4 and the 500 watt is on the EB832. The EB4 shows a 70amp spike but the 15 amp breaker never popped. The return pump and heater stopped (both on the EB4) and the GFCI was tripped. 4am to 8am, the EB4 was registering occasional spikes up to 90amps without anything actually running on it. I had my wife move everything to EB832 (800w heater and return pump) and with all outlets commanded to off on the EB4 it still shows spikes in the 80amp range. IMG_5147.JPG
    IMG_5146.JPG



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    13,176
    Have her try to reset the GFCI with nothing plugged into it. If there is no light on the GFCI that often means the circuit breaker for that branch tripped not the GFCI so have her take another look at the breaker panel and have her go through the breakers one at a time (or just the one circuit if you labeled it) and turn them off then back on. People unfamiliar with electrical often miss a tripped breaker because it often doesn't actually go to the off position but instead moves just a hair toward it.

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.

  5. #5
    Regular Vistor
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    21
    Quote Originally Posted by zombie View Post
    Have her try to reset the GFCI with nothing plugged into it. If there is no light on the GFCI that often means the circuit breaker for that branch tripped not the GFCI so have her take another look at the breaker panel and have her go through the breakers one at a time (or just the one circuit if you labeled it) and turn them off then back on. People unfamiliar with electrical often miss a tripped breaker because it often doesn't actually go to the off position but instead moves just a hair toward it.

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.
    Okay. I’ll have her try to reset the GFCI again. She checked the panel and both breakers were fine. I had her reset them both so it’s not the breaker at the panel but we shall try.

    Is it normal for the EB4 to show amperage while nothing is plugged into it and the outlets are commanded off?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    13,176
    Quote Originally Posted by Dubs83 View Post
    Okay. I’ll have her try to reset the GFCI again. She checked the panel and both breakers were fine. I had her reset them both so it’s not the breaker at the panel but we shall try.

    Is it normal for the EB4 to show amperage while nothing is plugged into it and the outlets are commanded off?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    No that is not normal and is most likely indicative of some kind of hardware failure in the current transducer or associated circuitry. Only a physical diagnostic at Neptune could tell you for certain though.

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.

  7. #7
    Master Control Freak RussM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    California - US Pacific
    Posts
    22,463
    Quote Originally Posted by zombie View Post
    ... is most likely indicative of some kind of hardware failure in the current transducer or associated circuitry. Only a physical diagnostic at Neptune could tell you for certain though.
    This is incorrect; impossibly high amps readings on a EB4/EB8 are a sure indication that the EB has no AC input power. The reading will also rapidly fluctuate to an extreme degree

    I just made it happen on one of my systems simply by unplugging the EB4:

    Capture.PNG
    Please do not send me PMs with technical questions or requesting assistance - use the forums for Apex help. PM me ONLY if the matter is of a private or personal nature. Thanks.

  8. #8
    Regular Vistor
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    21
    Quote Originally Posted by RussM View Post
    This is incorrect; impossibly high amps readings on a EB4/EB8 are a sure indication that the EB has no AC input power. The reading will also rapidly fluctuate to an extreme degree

    I just made it happen on one of my systems simply by unplugging the EB4:

    Capture.PNG
    Okay, so that explains the high fluctuation in amperage. It’s starting to sound like the GFCI is shot.

    Can a ground probe trip GFCI?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. #9
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    13,176
    Quote Originally Posted by Dubs83 View Post
    Okay, so that explains the high fluctuation in amperage. It’s starting to sound like the GFCI is shot.

    Can a ground probe trip GFCI?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Ground probes themselves can't trip a GFCI, but a ground probe in a tank with just a teeny tiny bit of stray voltage sure can. I won't even but ground probes in my tank without modification because of that. I add a large wattage inline resistor so GFCI only pops on actual faults or human shock.

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.

  10. #10
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    13,176
    Quote Originally Posted by RussM View Post
    This is incorrect; impossibly high amps readings on a EB4/EB8 are a sure indication that the EB has no AC input power. The reading will also rapidly fluctuate to an extreme degree

    I just made it happen on one of my systems simply by unplugging the EB4:

    Capture.PNG
    That is good to know. I have had EB8s trip out on me many times and never saw that.

    You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.

Similar Threads

  1. Question: How to replace dead eb8 with eb4
    By alpenreefer in forum Apex Classic/Apex Lite/Apex Jr
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-05-2018, 18:23
  2. High amperage pump
    By 1adamshaw in forum EnergyBars 832 / 632 / 8 / 6 / 4
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 04-28-2018, 13:08
  3. Amperage all of a sudden gone
    By davejep in forum EnergyBars 832 / 632 / 8 / 6 / 4
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 08-27-2015, 13:12
  4. EB6 and Amperage load
    By GonTR in forum EnergyBars 832 / 632 / 8 / 6 / 4
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 12-16-2014, 17:36
  5. Question: can outlet amperage be programmed?
    By Darren in forum Misc Apex Usage & Programming
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-07-2014, 16:30

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •