Help me! Finnex 500w Water Heater Eletrocution/current Problems

[BenitaSolo]

Help!
About 3 weeks ago I noticed that when I put my hand in the tank I can feel a stinging around my cuticles on my fingers. I didn’t pay it any mind. Then it happened again and I realized I was getting a slight shock...
I narrowed the problem down to the Finnex Titanium Heater with Controller. When it unplugged I don’t get shocked. I suck it up and buy a new titanium element.
I plug it in and bam... I’m still getting shocked. New element and everything. Why is this happening? Please help.
Where is the shock coming from? Why wouldn’t replacing the element fix the problem? The element is the only part in the water. Here is a photo of the controller

 

[cmcoker]

What if you remove the temp sensor? That controller has a 3 prong outlet right?

 

[BenitaSolo]

What if you remove the temp sensor? That controller has a 3 prong outlet right?

It does yes. 3 prongs.

Removing the sensor does not stop it

May be worth mentioning that I have the tank on a gfci breaker in the panel

 

[cmcoker]

My understanding is the titanium should act as a grounding rod and the gfci should trip. @Brew12 any ideas?

 

[TMB]

Is it possible that there is in internal short in the controller sending voltage down the line to the heater element via the "titanium ground rod"?
I don't know anything about the internal wiring of this unit, but voltage is obviously making it into the water somehow right?

 

[BenitaSolo]

My understanding is the titanium should act as a grounding rod and the gfci should trip. @Brew12 any ideas?

Okay- quick update scenario. When I plug the heater directly into an outlet (not through the controller) I still get the shock.
Thoughts?

 

[Brew12]

Is it possible that there is in internal short in the controller sending voltage down the line to the heater element via the "titanium ground rod"?
I don't know anything about the internal wiring of this unit, but voltage is obviously making it into the water somehow right?

This is what I am suspecting, and that the ground prong on the controller is no longer connected.

Do you have a voltage meter you can do some testing with?

Your GFCI should trip if you feel a tingle. I would say it is likely that your GFCI has failed. Have you tried using the test button on it to see if it trips?

 

[BenitaSolo]

Additionally the shock happens whether or not I have the power strip turned on our not

 

[BenitaSolo]

This is what I am suspecting, and that the ground prong on the controller is no longer connected.

Do you have a voltage meter you can do some testing with?

Your GFCI should trip if you feel a tingle. I would say it is likely that your GFCI has failed. Have you tried using the test button on it to see if it trips?

Yes, the yellow test button on the gfci breaker trips the breaker when I press it .

So, it doesn’t matter whether or not the element is going through the controller or not. It doesn’t matter what plug I use.
It doesn’t matter if I have the power strip in the on or off position

 

[Brew12]

Additionally the shock happens whether or not I have the power strip turned on our not

I need to think about this...

 

[Brew12]

Yes, the yellow test button on the gfci breaker trips the breaker when I press it .

So, it doesn’t matter whether or not the element is going through the controller or not. It doesn’t matter what plug I use.
It doesn’t matter if I have the power strip in the on or off position

Good.

I think I know what is going on. Are your lights on the GFCI circuit?

 

[BenitaSolo]

I need to think about this...

I swear I’m not crazy! I have one of those voltage testers. It’s a Klein NCVT-1

 

[Brew12]

I swear I’m not crazy! I have one of those voltage testers. It’s a Klein NCVT-1

Not ideal, but do you have it handy?

 

[Brew12]

Just to give you an idea of what I think is going on...

Your heater isn't what is shocking you. It is the ground path connecting you to ground. Something that is near your tank but not on the GFCI is what is actually causing you to be shocked. If everything in the water of your tank is on the GFCI, it makes your lights the most likely option.

 

[BenitaSolo]

Just to give you an idea of what I think is going on...

Your heater isn't what is shocking you. It is the ground path connecting you to ground. Something that is near your tank but not on the GFCI is what is actually causing you to be shocked. If everything in the water of your tank is on the GFCI, it makes your lights the most likely option.

Yea, it’s handy. I have one at work that has more options that is used to test ohm for water heater elements. It’s the type with two probes and a needle that points to a measurement.

Everything in the immediate see is on the gfci. As it happens in the tank is in the basement 10 feet from the breaker box, in another room. So there are plenty of wires in the area.
Okay, now I could use some guidance to narrow down what is causing the problem. How do I determine if it’s the lights?
And
Is this detriments to the tank inhabitants?

 

[Brew12]

Yea, it’s handy. I have one at work that has more options that is used to test ohm for water heater elements. It’s the type with two probes and a needle that points to a measurement.

Everything in the immediate see is on the gfci. As it happens in the tank is in the basement 10 feet from the breaker box, in another room. So there are plenty of wires in the area.
Okay, now I could use some guidance to narrow down what is causing the problem. How do I determine if it’s the lights?
And
Is this detriments to the tank inhabitants?

Are the lights on the GFCI?

I would take the voltage tester and randomly start touching anything metal around the tank. You can even touch it to the water. Might even want to touch it to the heater body with it plugged in just to make sure you aren't feeding voltage to it through your wall.

 

[BenitaSolo]

Are the lights on the GFCI?

I would take the voltage tester and randomly start touching anything metal around the tank. You can even touch it to the water. Might even want to touch it to the heater body with it plugged in just to make sure you aren't feeding voltage to it through your wall.

Yes they are on the gfci. The lights are only attached to a wooden canopy BUT yes, when I touch the body and the aluminum mounts to one of the lights it registers as red
Also! Thanks for taking the time to help. Real time help is great!!!

Ahhh so this is why even though there isn’t any power to the heater I can still feel it because this light is on

 

[Brew12]

Yes they are on the gfci. The lights are only attached to a wooden canopy BUT yes, when I touch the body and the aluminum mounts to one of the lights it registers as red
Also! Thanks for taking the time to help. Real time help is great!!!

Glad to help!

Hmm... Can you test the ground receptacle of an outlet and see if it lights up? If the light is on the GFCI it should trip. I'm beginning to worry that your ground wires are actually what are energized.

 

[BenitaSolo]

Glad to help!

Hmm... Can you test the ground receptacle of an outlet and see if it lights up? If the light is on the GFCI it should trip. I'm beginning to worry that your ground wires are actually what are energized.

It does not light up when stuck the tester into the ground port on an outlet.

Only the one led light causes a reaction to the tester. Including the ballast of the light

 

[Brew12]

It does not light up when stuck the tester into the ground port on an outlet.

Only the one led light causes a reaction to the tester.

Well, unfortunately it sounds like both your GFCI and your light fixture are bad. I guess that is better than your home wiring having an issue.

I would try to get a new GFCI unit and see if it trips.