DC equipment and electrical safety

[Ezduzt_nyc]

What are the different safety features that one should implement with DC equipment, please? As in, I don't want to be electrocuted? For AC, there's GFCI, but don't know anything about DC?

Thanks!

 

[jsker]

@Brew12 can explain this best.

 

[Hitman]

If your questioning DC equipment for our tanks the power supply convert your ac power from the wall to dc for the pump therefore your gfci’s work the same. There’s nothing special used for dc equipment for our tanks.

 

[Ezduzt_nyc]

Thank you for explaining. Not being an electrician, does the power converter pass through the ground between ac & dc?

 

[Brew12]

Thank you for explaining. Not being an electrician, does the power converter pass through the ground between ac & dc?

It does not pass through ground.

There is little personal risk with most DC pumps. They typically operate at 36 volts or less which isn't normally a shock risk. I would only worry about voltage at those levels for someone with a medical device like a pace maker.

 

[Ezduzt_nyc]

Thanks for explaining.

 

[Smo]

Dare I recommend a titanium grounding probe? And periodically performing stray voltage checks.

 

[Aquavaj]

It does not pass through ground.

There is little personal risk with most DC pumps. They typically operate at 36 volts or less which isn't normally a shock risk. I would only worry about voltage at those levels for someone with a medical device like a pace maker.

The voltage is pretty low but what about amps? Some of these pumps can draw up to 2 amps.

 

[clipperking]

I put a ground in my tank Been shocked b4

 

[Brew12]

The voltage is pretty low but what about amps? Some of these pumps can draw up to 2 amps.

When it comes to a persons safety, equipment current draw doesn't matter. How much current flows is a directly related to how much voltage there is and how much resistance is in the flow path. Your shock would be no different if you were touching the power supply of a 100 amp motor as you would in a 1 amp motor.

Dare I recommend a titanium grounding probe? And periodically performing stray voltage checks.

Always a solid recommendation. Heaters are the best reason to run a ground probe/GFCI combination. Haven't seen a low voltage DC heater yet!

 

[clipperking]

When it comes to a persons safety, equipment current draw doesn't matter. How much current flows is a directly related to how much voltage there is and how much resistance is in the flow path. Your shock would be no different if you were touching the power supply of a 100 amp motor as you would in a 1 amp motor.


Always a solid recommendation. Heaters are the best reason to run a ground probe/GFCI combination. Haven't seen a low voltage DC heater yet!

Make sure you clean that salt off lights, electrical cords, e.t.c. that saLt can creep And cause fire'..electrical Shorts, etc. And thats A great WAY to get shocked(wavemakers, don't buy cheap ones) turn off electric when Reaching in the tank

 

[ltrace]

I have a titanium grounding probe but not sure how to connect it to plug. I was told that I should connect the eyelet of the probe to the center screw on the outlet cover plate. The outlet is a GFCI outlet and does not have a center screw. So how do I connect the two together?

 

[Brew12]

I have a titanium grounding probe but not sure how to connect it to plug. I was told that I should connect the eyelet of the probe to the center screw on the outlet cover plate. The outlet is a GFCI outlet and does not have a center screw. So how do I connect the two together?

Is yours one with both a plug and the ring lug or does it only have the ring lug?

 

[ltrace]

It only has the ring.

 

[Brew12]

It only has the ring.

The best way to connect it is to thread it in behind the edge of the outlet cover plate and connect it to the ground connection on the outlet.

If you have a piece of equipment with a metal housing and a 3 prong plug, such as a fuge light, you can connect it using one of the assembly screws. This is less than ideal but should accomplish the goal.

 

[ltrace]

Thank you.