Electric shock

[chta]

All, Please help.
I did some maintenance yesterday. (water change, put a brick under the UV). Afterward...When I put my hand in the water..I got electic shock. Any ideas of what could cause it ? Thanks.

 

[sps_addict]

anything electrical can cause it. unplug everything and plug it back in 1 by 1 to find the culprit.

Note: Majority of shocks I have heard about are from a broken heater.

 

[Spartan081]

I've had a pump leak electicity into the water.

It would be better if you got a 5 gallon buck and tested the your pumps and heater in there with a volt meter instead of in your tank with your hand.

 

[wakeupdrowzy]

most likely a pump, that's what happen to me TWICE

 

[So Cal shaggy]

all electrical items in your tank give off an electric field but since they are surrounded by water it is amplified so we can feel it. First unplug everything and plug them back in one by one to find which piece of equipment is causing the problem it might be 1 piece of equipment or it might be a combination of all items together at any rate I would suggest putting a grounding probe in the tank.

 

[Spartan081]

Huh? Your saying that you can feel an electric field? And how is an electric field amplified by water?

What you can feel is an electric current. The water provides the means for the electric current to flow. That is why you get a shock in water rather than in air. If the amperage is high enough it could kill you.

 

[chta]

It's kind of weird...it doesn't happened all the time. I will try to test all to pump to prevent this.

Also... "putting a grounding probe in the tank" would prevent this ? If so...what do I need ? how to do it ?

Thanks for all the helps.

 

[Horst]

Here is the ground probe I have in my sump:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=UL1711

 

[chta]

All, Thank you.
I called Marine depot and they recommended this model instead.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TA1111