Grounding Probe triggering GFCI Breaker - what is wrong?

[Reef GE]

My tank is measuring stray voltage and shocking me from time to time. I installed a GFCI breaker for my aquarium -- I do not live in USA and we do not have GFCI outlets...only breakers. As an extra level of protection, I also ordered a $14 grounding probe on Amazon; however, when I install the grounding probe, the GFCI breaker trips off.

I have seen many posts by people advising the use of both GFCI and grounding probes. Why is my breaker tripping off when I put the probe in the tank? So far, I am not using the probe (and still getting shocked). Is this an installation problem with the breaker, or something else.

I'm guessing this is an easy fix...and I'm just an idiot. Maybe one of you fellow reefers or electricians can help.

(My house runs 220V, not 110)

 

[tehmadreefer]

You have a piece of equipment that is messed up, unplug things one at a time until you find the faulty equipment and replace it.

 

[mrlavalamp]

The probe is tripping the breaker BECAUSE of the stray voltage that you are feeling.

What you need to do is unplug everything. Put the grounding probe in, and plug the equipment in one at a time until you find the one that trips the GFCI.

Using the probe and GFCI together is what protects you.

 

[Reef GE]

The probe is tripping the breaker BECAUSE of the stray voltage that you are feeling.

What you need to do is unplug everything. Put the grounding probe in, and plug the equipment in one at a time until you find the one that trips the GFCI.

Using the probe and GFCI together is what protects you.

Yes, I get that, but I thought the probe would just absorb the stray voltage or that the GFCI would trip without the probe.

Also, I have discovered that ALL my aquarium equipment (wave makers, pumps, etc with magnet-type motors) generates some kind of AC even if I don't feel it. I figured the probe would just absorb this current without tripping the breaker. Sounds like at least one of those pumps is putting out too much AC.

(the GFCI does not trip at all without the probe in)

 

[TheHarold]

Sounds like at least one of those pumps is putting out too much AC.

I agree with that conclusion, and would suggest testing pumps individually with a multimeter. Though here we use GFCI outlets, not breakers. So not sure how that would change things overall in terms of diagnosing an issue.

 

[Reef GE]

I agree with that conclusion, and would suggest testing pumps individually with a multimeter. Though here we use GFCI outlets, not breakers. So not sure how that would change things overall in terms of diagnosing an issue.

You mean test the water itself to determine if a pump is putting out extra AC?

FYI - ALL magnetic propelled pumps put out a little AC. In my tank, it seems to be the accumulation of voltage that's causing the problem and not one individual pump.

The 220V current is what's making me wonder if there's something I'm missing here.

I have a multimeter (just have to figure out how to use it - it's in Russian, so I have to decode the settings).

 

[mrlavalamp]

Electricity seeks the path to ground with the least resistance.

GFCI devices (breakers, outlets, even the cords or plug ends) all function the same.

They sense the electricity passing through the ground side of the circuit and if the amount is too high it trips and turns off the circuit.

It doesn't take much iirc something like 30 milliamps at 120v is the limit because more than that there is serious risk to people.

You have a device that is leaking AC power into the water. This happens for a number of reasons, but the solution is the same.

Find the piece of equipment causing the GFCI to trip and get rid of it.

 

[Reef GE]

Electricity seeks the path to ground with the least resistance.

GFCI devices (breakers, outlets, even the cords or plug ends) all function the same.

They sense the electricity passing through the ground side of the circuit and if the amount is too high it trips and turns off the circuit.

It doesn't take much iirc something like 30 milliamps at 120v is the limit because more than that there is serious risk to people.

You have a device that is leaking AC power into the water. This happens for a number of reasons, but the solution is the same.

Find the piece of equipment causing the GFCI to trip and get rid of it.

Electricity seeks the path to ground with the least resistance.

GFCI devices (breakers, outlets, even the cords or plug ends) all function the same.

They sense the electricity passing through the ground side of the circuit and if the amount is too high it trips and turns off the circuit.

It doesn't take much iirc something like 30 milliamps at 120v is the limit because more than that there is serious risk to people.

You have a device that is leaking AC power into the water. This happens for a number of reasons, but the solution is the same.

Find the piece of equipment causing the GFCI to trip and get rid of it.

Will do it today. My guess is that the main sump pump is the culprit.

Final Question: Why doesn't the GFCI trip when I put my hand in the tank...??(with bare feet on a damp tile floor in my basement)...it only trips when the probe is installed. I would guess that it should trip in both circumstances.

 

[Reef GE]

Solved! I removed (2) off-brand pumps that were questionable in quality. Still registering some stray voltage with multimeter, but now when I put the probe in, the GFCI doesn't trip anymore...nor does any stray voltage register with my multimeter.

NOTE: I learned that with 220V, the direction the plug is inserted into the outlet can matter. Some of my pumps / cords register stray voltage if I turn the plug the opposite way around. Thru trial and error, I learned which way to turn each plug to get the least stray voltage. Now GFCI no longer trips, probe is absorbing all excess electricity and most importantly...the fish and my family are safe!

 

[mrlavalamp]

The current passing through you to the ground must be low enough not to trip it. This is probably why you only feel a little tingling and aren't getting shocked so much it kills you.

The probe provides much less resistance than your body does so it will conduct more current and cause the GFCI device to trip.

 

[Reef GE]

The current passing through you to the ground must be low enough not to trip it. This is probably why you only feel a little tingling and aren't getting shocked so much it kills you.

The probe provides much less resistance than your body does so it will conduct more current and cause the GFCI device to trip.

Thanks for the explanation. Relieved that this issue is solved! I will be replacing both pumps soon!

 

[KStatefan]

They sense the electricity passing through the ground side of the circuit and if the amount is too high it trips and turns off the circuit.

They compare the hot and the neutral to see if the same amount is being returned as is sent.