I have stray voltage

[dannable]

I wonder if it is the EMI from the light itself causing the reading (probably a false one).??

 

[neotekz]

so a grounding probe is not a good idea? or only if u have current running through your tank?

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8295604#post8295604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimw396
hdevils,
Today I experienced the same problem with my CoraLight fixture. I put my hand in the water and got a "tingle" at a cut on my finger. I unplugged everything one at a time, not trying the light fixture until last because my thinking was "Hey, it can't be the lights because there is nothing with the lights in contact with the water..plastic legs (non-conducter) and cords not in contact with tank."

Sure enough, it was the light fixture!

I took the light fixture completely apart to look for a nicked wire, nothing! I plugged it back in and put it on the tank and the "shock" was still there. I unplugged one of the lighting cords, the "daylights" cord, and left the actinics plugged in and sure enough, no "shock".

How does "stray voltage conduct to the water? I am no electrician and am just looking for an explanation of how to prevent this stray voltage.

Thanks,
Jim

The reflectors and the water surface act like capacitor plates, if there is a different voltage between then a variable magnetic field forms between them transfering current from the reflectors to the water. The best way to solve this is to insure the reflectors are properly grounded and there is good positive contact between the bulb poles and the electrical terminals.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8295946#post8295946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neotekz
so a grounding probe is not a good idea? or only if u have current running through your tank?

No it is not and worst if you have stray voltage. Never use a grounding probe unless all your electrical equipment is connected trough GFCI outlets.

 

[neotekz]

i'm going to be buying a portable gfci that i'm plugging everything into. so i should get a probe?

 

[jdieck]

The probe is optional once you have the GFCI. If there is a short to water or a power leak. Without the Probe the GFCI will trip if you touch the water as you will be functioning as the ground. With a grounding probe the GFCI will trip as soon as there is a power leak or short which is better for you as you never become the conductor. Some people do not like that because the GFCI may trip when you are not home or traveling thus endangering the tank critters.
So GFCI + probe better protects you GFCI alone better protect for the tank critters if you are not around.

 

[neotekz]

but will a gfci without a probe trip fast enough so that even if u are the conductor you won't get hurt?

 

[Greg manton]

its only 110 you will just get a jolt unlts you pass that through your heart ie pos right hand ground or neg left .

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8297148#post8297148 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by neotekz
but will a gfci without a probe trip fast enough so that even if u are the conductor you won't get hurt?

A well functioning GFCI will trip in about 5 thousands of a second at an unbalanced current of 5 milliamperes. Prety them fast and sensitive for you to even notice.
Just insure you test the GFCI once a month.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8297490#post8297490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Greg manton
its only 110 you will just get a jolt ......

Most cases the grounding of a person is not perfect. Shoe soles, wood floor, grease in the hands, thickness of the skin, dryness etc can play a role in providing certain electrical insulation thus the false impression that 110V is not that dangerous but be unlucky enough to make a good ground and you will be fried with a lot less voltage than that.

 

[jimw396]

jdieck,

Thanks for the explanation on stray voltage.

Jim

 

[jdieck]

:thumbsup: