Question about installing a ground probe

jherrin215 · 02/18/2011, 01:46 PM

I bought a ground probe to install downstairs in the sump and have a question. I can't find a good ground. My plan was to use the plugs that were installed on the ceilings for my fluorescent lights to plug the probe into. I decided to verify the ground before I did this and there is none. Now I need to find a good safe ground. The only thing close that is grounded that I can find is my HVAC ductwork and I'm not using this of course. Do I need to just run a wire outside and physically ground it then connect the probe to this? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

NYCBOB · 02/18/2011, 02:40 PM

any electrical conduit or water pipes should make a good ground.

Palting · 02/18/2011, 02:41 PM

I think the instructions state to attach it to the screw that holds the plate over a junction box or outlet. That's what I did. Same outlet that I have my GFI plugged into. Anything wrong with this?

jherrin215 · 02/18/2011, 02:47 PM

All my water pipes are PVC, that's no good and there is no electrical conduit ran in the basement. My outlet boxes on the ceiling are all plastic and I checked the screw in the center for ground and it's not grounded either. The only other metal thing that would be grounded that I see is my black iron pipe that is bringing in my gas to my downstairs furnace. Figured that would be a bad idea!

jeff@zina.com · 02/18/2011, 02:53 PM

There has to be a ground somewhere, even in the plastic boxes. It may not be connected to the outlet though (bad). You should check the outlets with an inexpensive tester. Otherwise, code requires a ground at the service entrance outside, you could attach to that if you had to. Code no longer allows grounding to the incoming water line, but it will work for your probe. It may not be copper though. Never ground to gas or to the HVAC, both can be bad.

Jeff

jherrin215 · 02/18/2011, 04:02 PM

I have checked this with my fluke meter. I didn't pull off the cover to check the wiring in the box. I'll do this in the morning. I don't have any iron pipes in the basement only pvc and a few copper. This wiring is in the old part of my remodeled house. Very shade tree mechanicesque.

huseman808 · 02/18/2011, 05:38 PM

If there is any metal rebar, coming out of the floor or any formed wall anywhere that will work.

jherrin215 · 02/18/2011, 05:58 PM

There is no exposed metal in the floors. Only concrete but it is finished concrete.

cm11599ps · 04/11/2011, 04:37 PM

I discovered that none of the outlets in my house had a ground after we moved in. An electrician came in and installed GFI breakers in my panel for every outlet in the house.

I wonder if that would work for you.

jherrin215 · 04/11/2011, 05:56 PM

Possibly. I ended up finding some old plumbing in the basement that was iron. I tied into that for my ground. Thanks for the reply!

disc1 · 04/12/2011, 10:52 AM

An easier fix if you can't find a ground close by would be to grab a 12" piece of rebar from home depot, pound it about halfway in the ground, run a wire, and voilla you have a perfect ground. Isolated ground even.

jherrin215 · 04/12/2011, 03:23 PM

that was my original question but no one ever answered that. That was my plan, run it right outside and stick me a rod in the ground and tie to it.

02/18/2011, 01:46 PM	#1
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Question about installing a ground probe I bought a ground probe to install downstairs in the sump and have a question. I can't find a good ground. My plan was to use the plugs that were installed on the ceilings for my fluorescent lights to plug the probe into. I decided to verify the ground before I did this and there is none. Now I need to find a good safe ground. The only thing close that is grounded that I can find is my HVAC ductwork and I'm not using this of course. Do I need to just run a wire outside and physically ground it then connect the probe to this? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

02/18/2011, 02:41 PM	#3
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I think the instructions state to attach it to the screw that holds the plate over a junction box or outlet. That's what I did. Same outlet that I have my GFI plugged into. Anything wrong with this? __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

04/11/2011, 04:37 PM	#9
cm11599ps Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Port Jefferson Station, NY Posts: 1,413	I discovered that none of the outlets in my house had a ground after we moved in. An electrician came in and installed GFI breakers in my panel for every outlet in the house. I wonder if that would work for you. __________________ LIRA Member Current Tank - 55 gallon. Custom CLF1 sump, fuge, overflow & SVS2-24 skimmer from Lifereef. 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture W/ 4 Lunar LEDs. 2 EcoTech MP40's, 70lbs assorted

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02/18/2011, 02:40 PM	#2
NYCBOB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 1,768	any electrical conduit or water pipes should make a good ground.

02/18/2011, 02:47 PM	#4
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	All my water pipes are PVC, that's no good and there is no electrical conduit ran in the basement. My outlet boxes on the ceiling are all plastic and I checked the screw in the center for ground and it's not grounded either. The only other metal thing that would be grounded that I see is my black iron pipe that is bringing in my gas to my downstairs furnace. Figured that would be a bad idea!

02/18/2011, 02:53 PM	#5
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	There has to be a ground somewhere, even in the plastic boxes. It may not be connected to the outlet though (bad). You should check the outlets with an inexpensive tester. Otherwise, code requires a ground at the service entrance outside, you could attach to that if you had to. Code no longer allows grounding to the incoming water line, but it will work for your probe. It may not be copper though. Never ground to gas or to the HVAC, both can be bad. Jeff

02/18/2011, 04:02 PM	#6
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	I have checked this with my fluke meter. I didn't pull off the cover to check the wiring in the box. I'll do this in the morning. I don't have any iron pipes in the basement only pvc and a few copper. This wiring is in the old part of my remodeled house. Very shade tree mechanicesque.

02/18/2011, 05:38 PM	#7
huseman808 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Dubuque Iowa Posts: 279	If there is any metal rebar, coming out of the floor or any formed wall anywhere that will work.

02/18/2011, 05:58 PM	#8
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	There is no exposed metal in the floors. Only concrete but it is finished concrete.

04/11/2011, 05:56 PM	#10
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Possibly. I ended up finding some old plumbing in the basement that was iron. I tied into that for my ground. Thanks for the reply!

04/12/2011, 10:52 AM	#11
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	An easier fix if you can't find a ground close by would be to grab a 12" piece of rebar from home depot, pound it about halfway in the ground, run a wire, and voilla you have a perfect ground. Isolated ground even.

04/12/2011, 03:23 PM	#12
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	that was my original question but no one ever answered that. That was my plan, run it right outside and stick me a rod in the ground and tie to it.