shocking game this afternoon

[H20Sidhe]

Played a 'fun' detective game this afternoon.
It started when I put my hand in my tank & got a shock. One by one, I unplugged each submerged electrical device in the tank, starting with a maxi-jet mod, and touched the water again. I was still getting shocks. In the middle of the investigation, my son asked me if we have a 'tester' that I could have used instead of my hand. He was entertained by my activities.
After unplugging the electrical devices in the tank, I was still gettting shocks, so I next moved to the sump and continued unplugging until it stopped shocking me. I had started at the wrong end, because it was the second to the last device that was the culprit. When I unplugged the pump that runs my protein skimmer (a CA that I won in a MARS raffle) the water became plain, nice, comfortable water again. I was very tired of being shocked before I found it.
Now all I need to do is replace the pump. When I set up the new tank, I will seriously consider having fewer pumps & heaters.

 

[bobbyblank]

hahaha, i know just how you feel! I had a heater short out on me and i found the culprit useing the same method, my girlfriend found it QUITE funny. I lost a few corals, but it was a good learning experience, i purchase a grounding probe shortly after.

 

[funman1]

*cough*
Get a GFCI on your Tanks!!
*Cough*

 

[MandM]

Steve, If I have a GFCI would a grounding probe add any benefit? Not all of my equipment has 3-pronged plugs, should that be a requirement?

 

[D&KSac]

A GFCI should be all you need. Because once it senses the ground fault it should trip. It should be all you need as protection.

 

[funman1]

Would adding a GP benefit?
Yes, but ONLY if you have a GFCI; it would trip the GFCI BEFORE you ever put your hand in the water.

Not all Equip has 3 prongs?
Yes that's perfectly fine, 3 prongs (Grounded) is best but not required..

 

[H20Sidhe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11344810#post11344810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
*cough*
Get a GFCI on your Tanks!!
*Cough*

I have a GFCI! I thought it would trip under "different" circumstances. Although come to think of it . . . .

 

[H20Sidhe]

What I could have done instead:
Unplug everything, and then plug things in one at a time until I felt the shock. That would have been one shock. Instead, I unplugged things one by one until the water didn't shock me. That was five shocks.

 

[funman1]

If you have your tank on a GFCI, then it's not working.
I'd replace it ASAP.

I like your idea of going in reverse better though..