WARNING: GFIC outlets may not protect against coop fires!

[bruceha2000]

When you and Ken come visit don't let him look at how the guy we bought this place from rewired the barn. I guess the one thing he did right was to use copper. But then it was recent enough that I doubt he could have found aluminum wire anyway.

 

[Blooie]

He won't look. I don't think....

 

[bruceha2000]

Well the hospital is < 10 minutes away, in case he does look and has a coronary.

 

[Folly's place]

We rewired our barn after moving here; it was scary out there! Now everything is outdoor rated and in conduit, as it should be!
Mary

 

[Abriana]

Thanks!!

 

[donnovan]

Just to be clear: A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) was designed to protect people and equipment from electrical shock. An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) was designed to detect arcing faults in wiring, appliances and equipment, preventing electrical fires. (per eaton.com) So when using the above an arc or spark will be stopped and not cause a fire, but, when using something like an old malfunctioning heating pad (or something else) and it heats up gradually to a combustible temperature the a GFCI/AFCI not sense the malfunction/current surge and a fire may start.

These are not overly expensive and a good idea. If you need to put one of these outside (none of them are rated for out of doors) they must be installed in an 'electrical weatherproof box' that can be found at your local big box home improvement store.
I know we all want to keep our flocks as safe as possible year round so we must do what we can and be vigilant to possible hazards especially fire in our coops.

I hope this helps.

 

[jvls1942]

all good points.
I just want to add. each time the gfci trips, it becomes more sensitive. eventually it will trip as soon as something is plugged into it. the same with your circuit breakers in the breaker box..
If you are using a heat lamp.
it can burn out and sometimes the bulb will burst, throwing sparks as it does. too late for the gfci to help..
those large heat lamps are one of the main causes of coop fires..
I won't have one on my place.

........jiminwisc......

 

[donnovan]

Wow I have not seen or heard of the heat lamps bursting like that before. What have you used in place of them when raising chicks.

 

[bruceha2000]

Mama Heating Pad brooder:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/
Substantially safer than heat lamps and better for the chicks with natural day/night cycles and the ability to get into and away from heat as their needs dictate.

 

[Then I Will]

My coop is wired into my house- to the house breaker.

Not to say that rodent's couldn't start a fire by chewing within the coop. We have a wire running into the coop for two plugins and two florescent ceiling lights. The extension cords to the water heaters are suspended and electrical taped... but I still worry about fires from time to time.