Electricians needed: stray voltage with everything unplugged

[wiigelec]

Voltage is a relative measurement, it has to be referenced to some other point.

You are measuring the voltage (potential difference) between the water in your sump and ground (assuming the receptacle you are referencing to, and your electrical service are properly grounded).

Unless the two points between which you are measuring voltage are physically connected together there is always going to be a difference in electrical potential and therefore a voltage. 1.5 V is nothing to be concerned with. What does your meter read when you hold the probes a distance apart in plain air?

The purpose of a grounding probe is to physically connect your tanks water to the service ground. This will insure the voltage between water and ground is zero.

The purpose of GFCI is to protect you from shock and electrocution when you become a path to ground. A safe aquarium install will use both ground probe and GCFI, but "nuisance" tripping can cause loss of expensive livestock, so the tradeoff between $$ and safety is up to you...

 

[staindsoul]

any update? did you install a gfci or test for a current reading?

and I wanna see a picture of you holding one of the probes between your toes taking a reading. :lol2: but seriously be careful.

 

[dixiedog]

Okay, I just installed the new GFCI outlet. Fingers crossed.

Now, when you say 'test for a current reading', how is that done, if not tank-to-ground, the way I'm doing it?

Here's the requested pic.

 

[staindsoul]

Ok the pic wasnt as dramatic as hoped for, but it raises a good question. Where do you have the probes plugged in, is that always where you have had them?

I looked up a picture close to that meter and the "com" common is in the center. what do the three holes read on your meter? You might have the probes in the wrong holes.

to take a current reading go from ground on one probe to tank on the other. you should have one probe plugged into common or "com" and the other plugged into the hole that has 10a mark on it. Turn the dial to Amp reading. I dont know what the symbol is on the dial on that meter, there might be muiltiple, and I cant find a big enough picture.

Edit: found a big picture. If it is the 61-310 meter you need the black probe in the "com" hole and the red probe in the temp/v/ohm hole (or right hand side) for VOLTAGE reading. You put the red probe in the 10a hole on the left side for current readings. Maximum 10 amps, which you shouldnt be anywhere near on that circuit. with the dial on 10a at 2 o'clock.

If you dont get a current reading switch the red probe to right hand side and dial to dca 200m at 1 o'clock to take a milli amp reading.

 

[dixiedog]

Well dang. Okay this is how I've been doing it. Set me straight!

 

[staindsoul]

check my edit on my previous post.

 

[dixiedog]

If it is the 61-310 meter you need the black probe in the "com" hole and the red probe in the temp/v/ohm hole (or right hand side) for VOLTAGE reading. You put the red probe in the 10a hole on the left side for current readings. Maximum 10 amps, which you shouldnt be anywhere near on that circuit. with the dial on 10a at 2 o'clock.

If you dont get a current reading switch the red probe to right hand side and dial to dca 200m at 1 o'clock to take a milli amp reading.

Okay! I'm getting 0.00 readings across the board, for both voltage and current, at both 10 amp and dca 200m.

Does this mean I can crack a beer and celebrate that I have no problems???

 

[staindsoul]

Si, call it done. :uzi: :beer:

 

[Paul B]

So I have to assume I'm backfeeding some current from the house, right? How do I fix it if that's the case?

OK here is exactly what you do. Forget about the tank and go out to dinner. There is nothing wrong with your tank, electric or pumps. That is induced voltage and is perfectly normal. A GFCI would do nothing to help with that. If you had a leak in something you would get a reading of "about" 113 volts. No more, no less. (actually it would get anywhere from 108 ot about 120)
If you get that, you have a problem. What you are getting you are supposed to get.
Have a nice dinner.
(Master Construction electrician Manhattan 40 years)
Now we are going to hear 987 other theories so get ready for it.

 

[dixiedog]

NICE! :beer:

Thanks for getting me sorted out, guys!!!

 

[staindsoul]

OK here is exactly what you do. Forget about the
Now we are going to hear 987 other theories so get ready for it.

I blame the flux capacitor. :crazy1: