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Unread 07/05/2017, 09:18 PM   #1
bhbbhb
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Electric current

Help me understand - I get a low grade shock in my tank when I put my hand in if I have a small cut on my hand. If I unplugged the "grounding rod plug" the shock goes away. I thought the grounding rod plug was suppose to help stop those - not create them.


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Unread 07/05/2017, 09:31 PM   #2
tazzy695
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You have a shorted power stip that is backfeeding power into ground


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Unread 07/05/2017, 09:39 PM   #3
bhbbhb
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Thanks. Wouldn't the GFI trigger if that happened ?


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Unread 07/05/2017, 10:49 PM   #4
slief
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The ground probe completes the circuit and is supposed to trip the GFCI if you are running one. Sounds like you have a pump or other device like a heater than is leaking voltage into the water. I would get a volt meter and place one end into the ground on an outlet and the other into the water. Set the meter for AC voltage. Disconnect everything from the system. and power on one device at a time and see if any particular device creates abnormal current. That should help you pinpoint which device is leaking current.


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Unread 07/06/2017, 05:37 AM   #5
alton
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If your grounding is not good enough at your service, by you having a grounding probe, it will use your tank as a grounding means. I had a friend who's tank only had 2 volts but shocked the heck out of you. I added a ground rod to his service and it went away. Also sometimes you will find the grounded and grounding conductors on the same neutral bar on a sub panel, this can cause an issue. GFCI receptacles trip at 4 to 6 milliamps, Hospital grade trip at 5. A 4 milliamp shock it pretty bad. At 2 you can feel a good tingle


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Unread 07/06/2017, 07:54 AM   #6
mcgyvr
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Just stating the obvious here..
You stated only when you have a cut..
You do know that saltwater will sting/tingle when you have a cut right? You sure you just aren't confusing that with a shock?


And you do have a GFCI device right? A normal power strip,etc.. does not feature GFCI protection..

The ONLY think a grounding probe does is ensure that the second a fault develops it will cause the GFCI to trip vs waiting for you to become the path for current then tripping...


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Unread 07/06/2017, 09:22 AM   #7
bhbbhb
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Thanks for your input. I understand that salt water does sting. This however is definitely a current I feel. In fact - when I unplug the "ground probe" from the power plug the tingle goes away. Yes they are plugged into a 4 outlet box - which is getting its power from a 2 plug GFCI outlet. It seems strange to me - that the current it felt - with everything, except the "ground probe" unplugged. There is nothing on in the tank - just the probe plugged into the power.


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Unread 07/06/2017, 09:52 AM   #8
tazzy695
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I have seen many times where a salt short between ground and power wont trip gfci

Do u have ground prong on cable from 4 plug box or is it broke off
If broke off then this disables gfci.


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Unread 07/06/2017, 06:27 PM   #9
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tazzy695 View Post
Do u have ground prong on cable from 4 plug box or is it broke off
If broke off then this disables gfci.
A GFCI device needs no ground wire at all to function.. Its ONLY looking for an imbalance between line and neutral..


Now.. A GFCI will also never function if the fault is on the secondary side of a transformer either as the GFCI can only react to/see a fault on the primary side..
So it could be an explanation as to why the GFCI is not tripping as well as a few other things..
I personally would be trying to see which if any of the pieces of equipment are causing this by simply monitoring for voltage between the tank water and ground using a multimeter (I hate to suggest keep monitoring via human touch as that could be dangerous should a more sever fault develop.. but hopefully the GFCI would protect from that)..

I would also be ensuring I didn't have a ground problem..
There could be a problem with that ground itself and it could be at a different potential than neutral.. Another potential reason there doesn't seem to be an issue with the ground probe disconnected..

and a few other things I'm too tired to think of now as I'm on vacation trying to relax..


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Unread 07/06/2017, 11:41 PM   #10
Desert Sea
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Check the outlet with a plug tester or meter. I've had situations before where the ground and neutral were reversed and detected voltage on the ground pin of the receptacle.


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