Stray Voltage

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by mike31154

A grounding probe without a GFCI device is inadequate protection. There are many fault scenarios & the best bet is a GFCI with respect to safety. By the time a 15 amp circuit breaker blows, if any of your body parts are in the tank, you will be a hurting buckaroo, if not dead. Circuit breakers are to keep your house from burning down, not for personal protection from getting shocked.

http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GroundingProbes.html

http://angel-strike.com/aquarium/GFI...alDetails.html

I am using a GFCI power bar but the probe on its own would provide enough protection from stray voltage. As soon as the current started flowing into the tank it would go to ground as the path of least resistance. That's how a probe protects you, not by triggering a breaker.

[gregzz4]

I'd like to hear an electrician's take on this as I agree with Mike
Using a ground probe without a GFCI is not good

If you do have current in your tank without a ground probe, you will get a shock if you personally create a path to complete the circuit. But during the time you're not doing that, your critters are not bothered by the electricity if isn't a complete circuit

If you use a probe and no GFCI, any stray current will now become a completed circuit and will affect your critters as the water is now energized
And, if the current suddenly becomes much greater and you stick your hand in the water, you'll get a painful or potentially heart-stopping jolt long before the breaker trips

I read a long time ago to only use a probe if you use a GFCI, and I stick to it
And a probe is not a solution to a problem
Repairing or replacing the faulty equipment is the only way to go

[Magma]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I'd like to hear an electrician's take on this as I agree with Mike

And a probe is not a solution to a problem
Repairing or replacing the faulty equipment is the only way to go

This right here ^ a probe is not a solution! Its "hiding" the problem. Its like you have a leaking pipe, instead of fixing it you just put a few wraps of duct tape over it, sure it works for a while but when it breaks again its a worse problem then before.

Fix or replace the equipment save yourself problems later its so simple.

If you do use them make sure EVERYTHING is plugged into a GFCI Protected Plug.

Found a nice little list which I agree with from what I have personally seen by working as an Electrician. I have seen many of these problems occur when using GFCI's for various uses.


Pros
Any current from shorted equipment in the tank will be shorted to ground saving you from getting shocked.

If there is some condition that would allow current flow in the tank when something shorts, it would also be alleviated using a grounding probe.

Depending on specific grounding probe setup
If a probe is placed in the correct location (such as a sump with pumps), they can short induced voltage to ground without tripping the GFCI. However, if there is anything between the voltage source and the probe, it will be shocked. Also, if you have large pumps, it's possible they would induce enough voltage to trip the GFCI without there actually being a short.

Cons
You get a short and instead of nothing happening, everything turns off! If you're on vacation or even away for the weekend, tank is toast, even though there may be no danger to the livestock.

If you have a pump that induces a lot of voltage in the tank, you will get current flow between the pump and the probe. You don't want this taking place in the DT. You also don't want a pump tripping your GFCI for no reason.

If you do develop a short with a grounding probe, you can create a staggering amount of current because the water has very little resistance. Another reason why a probe in a DT is a bad idea.

On my personal tank I use drip loops on all cords and have my lights, heaters, return pump and wavemakers all on different circuits. They are also NOT GFCI protected. What I did was wire in a bank of plugs onto my stand up high, and each plug has its own cabtire which runs back to a wall outlet. Never had an issue with them, I also test for stray voltage every few months just to make sure all my gear is ok. I would rather do this quick test than run the risk of finding a burnt out a motor or heater after being away from the tank all day from work.