Trouble shooting Stray Voltage

[ubasu]

Ok. I have a weird stray voltage issue.

I was putting my hands in my tank (Cleaning it) and where I had a hangnail I felt a sting. I thought thats odd maybe its the salt water on an open wound. I put my gloves on and didnt pay much attention.

Later I turned my controller to water change mode. (all pumps off etc) And I put my hand in the tank ungloved and it felt fine. I realized that it was current passing through the water. Just enough to sting a little.

I started unplugging things 1 by 1. I pulled out ato float sensors and the sting went away. I thought oh it must be coming through them. The stinging is gone.

Next day I go and drop an escaped snail back in. (Tried to get him to land shell up). And I felt the sharp sting again. I unplugged things again and when i unplugged the return it stopped.

I thought oh maybe it was the return pump. But I just put the pump in a bucket of water and plugged it in and I do not feel the current.

I am at a loss. Im guessing the current jumped from the return to the ato switch but then it found another way later. Im not sure. I think I need to go get a meter.

 

[DLHDesign]

I think I need to go get a meter.

This.

If you're tracking down power problems, using a finger-tingle gauge isn't likely to be reliable enough.

 

[TheEngineer]

You’re best bet is to get a cheap multimeter. You can get it for under $10 at Harbor Freight. Then you’re gonna want to do what you were doing by plugging in one thing at a time and measuring.

 

[FloatinBy]

As TheEngineer said. Get yourself a multimeter. I had same issue except the shock I got hurt a bit. turns out my return pump was leaching electricity pretty bad.

 

[redfishbluefish]

The other variables in your finger test are the shoes you are wearing and the location of your other hand....what's that touching.

So strongly agree....get a meter.

 

[McArcher]

^ +1
Also, was the water in the bucket fresh or salt?
Salt conducts more.
Multimeter is the only way

 

[ubasu]

Fresh! that is a good point. The pump is over 2 years two so. I think I will replace it. And get a meter too.

 

[siggy]

@ubasu @Brew12 has a thread on this very subject, using a ground probe. Also if you don't already own a meter I'm guessing you may not be very knowledgable using one and a cheap meter could blow up is set wrong.
Get a good one, it will auto range, give an alert is set improperly, and will last a lifetime in a hobby or home environment. I know of several horror stories using $20 meters and testers.
Check out Fluke T1000 all automatic with amp meter
https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...hUKEwjVr8-hg4rXAhWB6iYKHebmBRMQ9aACCDw&adurl=

 

[ubasu]

I do have a meter its still in my parents garage (Have not had a chance to get my tools up since the move) . I will get it tomorrow on my lunchbreak. Ok I read through @Brew12 's post. I am ordering a ground probe now. Linked below for reference.

I felt the current again with a different return pump and the ato switches in. Pretty sure its them. But its just guessing until i get the meter.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/using-ground-probes-in-aquariums.270479/

 

[Brew12]

I do have a meter its still in my parents garage (Have not had a chance to get my tools up since the move) . I will get it tomorrow on my lunchbreak. Ok I read through @Brew12 's post. I am ordering a ground probe now. Linked below for reference.

I felt the current again with a different return pump and the ato switches in. Pretty sure its them. But its just guessing until i get the meter.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/using-ground-probes-in-aquariums.270479/

I think one of the best ways to troubleshoot failed electrical components is by using a ground probe with a GFCI.

Get something like this.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/YELLOW-JACKET-GFCI-Portable-Plug-In-Adapter-Black-2762/204667709

Install your ground probe and plug in your equipment one at a time and let them run for a few minutes. If it trips, you found your bad component. If it doesn't trip after a short period of time, switch to the next piece of equipment.

 

[Behnken]

Just remember a ground probe does not fix the problem, it just give’s the stray voltage a low resistance path to ground. You will still need to find the source of the stray voltage and remove it from the water.

 

[Forsaken77]

This.

If you're tracking down power problems, using a finger-tingle gauge isn't likely to be reliable enough.

Plus it sucks getting zapped over and over again

 

[Forsaken77]

Get a grounding probe in your tank for future issues.

Yes, I am a proponent of ground probes on a gfci outlet. There are tons of ELECTRICAL DEVICES IN WATER. They are bound to give off some voltage, either singularly, or combined. Plus, things aren't made as well as they used to be. Better to be 95% safe, than not at all.

 

[Forsaken77]

I think one of the best ways to troubleshoot failed electrical components is by using a ground probe with a GFCI.

Get something like this.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/YELLOW-JACKET-GFCI-Portable-Plug-In-Adapter-Black-2762/204667709

Install your ground probe and plug in your equipment one at a time and let them run for a few minutes. If it trips, you found your bad component. If it doesn't trip after a short period of time, switch to the next piece of equipment.

Actually, I have that yellow jacket plug and in the little "caution" manual that nobody reads, it says it's for temporary use only (thought I'd throw that out there). Better to have your outlet changed to a 4-way gfci.

 

[Brew12]

Actually, I have that yellow jacket plug and in the little "caution" manual that nobody reads, it says it's for temporary use only (thought I'd throw that out there). Better to have your outlet changed to a 4-way gfci.

Completely agree! I wouldn't recommend using one for a permanent installation. I do find they are great for trouble shooting for those who don't use GFCI on the main receptacles to the tank.

 

[siggy]

@Brew12 I'm surprised there is no talk about GFCI breakers along with AFCI, the new code is mandating combination AFCI/GFCI throughout the home, surely this new code will be adopted at some point.
I wonder how this will impact the hobby, all you would need is a bulb to blow and it's lights out.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CImyhdncjNcCFUdfXgodNGoE9w
Are your electronics & motors protected ?

 

[Brew12]

@Brew12 I'm surprised there is no talk about GFCI breakers along with AFCI, the new code is mandating combination AFCI/GFCI throughout the home, surely this new code will be adopted at some point.
I wonder how this will impact the hobby, all you would need is a bulb to blow and it's lights out.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-20-Amp-Industrial-Grade-Heavy-Duty-4-in-1-Grounding-Surge-Outlet-with-Indicator-Light-Ivory-5490-I/301767738?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-VF-PLA-D27E-Electrical|&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MDPBRAFEiwAppdF9DbKaV1rIBxq7iY-ttBzrx3r7deSVBfZAI6k3cRAmbsXCEwxUnBIcRoCuXoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CImyhdncjNcCFUdfXgodNGoE9w
Are your electronics & motors protected ?

AFCI's are required for all electrical receptacles and the protection is normally provided by the main circuit breaker in new installations. GFCI are still only required in certain "wet" areas. The GFCI breakers do have some advantages and I use them at work but I prefer not to use them at home. I have GFCI receptacles wired into my Apex EB8 to make them controllable. That way each submerged device has its own controllable GFCI and a single fault won't take out more than that specific piece of equipment.

 

[1stNoel]

You're missing out on a great opportunity to invite friends over and challenging them to the "woodbeast" a la Flash Gordon! ZAP!!!