Grouding probe shocks me

[Brew12]

When i put my finger in the tank without the ground probe in i get no shock. When the ground is attached to the metal basement support no shock.

It does sound like your ground probe isn't actually connected to ground. The other possibility that comes to mind is if you touch something else metal out of habit when you put your hand in the tank.

 

[Cory]

It does sound like your ground probe isn't actually connected to ground. The other possibility that comes to mind is if you touch something else metal out of habit when you put your hand in the tank.

But why am i getting shocked? It sounds like the ground probe is delivering electricity through me to actual concrete ground. Example, if the ground probe is plugged into the power bar with me touching the basement floor i get shocked. No ground probe plugged in with me on floor i get no shock. Ground probe attatched to grounded basement pole i get no shock. So it sounds like its taking electricity from the power bar no?

 

[fishguy242]

are you holding probe in hand doing this?

 

[fishguy242]

if so sounds like you are the ground for bad bar

 

[Cory]

are you holding probe in hand doing this?

No i touch the water while standing on basement floor while the ground probe in plugged into the power bar. When its not plugged in i dont get shocked the same way

 

[Cory]

Voltage in tank is 2 volts. Amperage is .003 milliamps. No probe. So it cant be any equipment in the tank.

 

[fishguy242]

try another bar ,seek what is causing loose elec process of elimination , sounds like something is shorting hopefully bar ,be careful find the source

 

[Cory]

So it looks like there is an internal circuit board that has ground, positive and negative. Normally they arent connected but there is some salt creep, just barely a trace connecting the ground to the positive. So it seems when i put in the ground, it acts like a positve wire since ground is connected to the positive. Thats what i think is happening but it could be something else. Anyway i replaced the power strip.

 

[nitrodude]

Did new power bar fix it? Was going to say more than likely your outlet you are plugged into isnt grounded (either older house without ground wire or broken connection between outlet and panel)
Most likely cause is one of the pieces of equipment plugged into the power strip is leaking current to ground and since there is no ground for the power to go to it goes to your water with the ground probe in it-giving you a shock.

 

[fishguy242]

following

 

[Brew12]

But why am i getting shocked? It sounds like the ground probe is delivering electricity through me to actual concrete ground. Example, if the ground probe is plugged into the power bar with me touching the basement floor i get shocked. No ground probe plugged in with me on floor i get no shock. Ground probe attatched to grounded basement pole i get no shock. So it sounds like its taking electricity from the power bar no?

If the ground probe isn't connected to an actual ground, it can take a voltage from the hot or neutral and put it in your aquarium instead of removing it.
And yes, it sounds like your power bar has issues. It could be the receptacle you have the power bar plugged into though. Hard to say without testing.

 

[Cory]

If the ground probe isn't connected to an actual ground, it can take a voltage from the hot or neutral and put it in your aquarium instead of removing it.
And yes, it sounds like your power bar has issues. It could be the receptacle you have the power bar plugged into though. Hard to say without

Did new power bar fix it? Was going to say more than likely your outlet you are plugged into isnt grounded (either older house without ground wire or broken connection between outlet and panel)
Most likely cause is one of the pieces of equipment plugged into the power strip is leaking current to ground and since there is no ground for the power to go to it goes to your water with the ground probe in it-giving you a shock.

Yes with the new power bar its fixed now. None of my equipment is leaking any significant stray voltage. I have 2 volts and .003 amps which comes from two eheim heaters.

 

[Cory]

If the ground probe isn't connected to an actual ground, it can take a voltage from the hot or neutral and put it in your aquarium instead of removing it.
And yes, it sounds like your power bar has issues. It could be the receptacle you have the power bar plugged into though. Hard to say without testing.

Ive got a multimeter and a wall receptacle tester.

 

[Brew12]

Ive got a multimeter and a wall receptacle tester.

If you plug your receptacle tester into the power bar does it test good or bad?

 

[nitrodude]

Interesting. I would imagine there's a break between each outlets ground and the actual plug ground causing your power bar to be ungrounded.

 

[Cory]

It says open ground on one outlet, the corroded one.

 

[Brew12]

It says open ground on one outlet, the corroded one.

Is that where your ground probe was plugged in? My guess is that not only is the ground open, but it is also being at least slightly energized through the corrosion.

I wouldn't use that power bar any longer.

 

[Cory]

Is that where your ground probe was plugged in? My guess is that not only is the ground open, but it is also being at least slightly energized through the corrosion.

I wouldn't use that power bar any longer.

Yes it was plugged into that i replaced it with a new one. I figured it was getting energized thats why i was getting zapped.

 

[fishguy242]

did that solve the problem?

 

[Cory]

did that solve the problem?

Yes problem solved.