Stray current and stray voltage (wiki)

[syncro]

Thanks for all the feedback Mike and Magma. I've tried to incorporate most of it to the best of my ability.

Originally Posted by mike31154

Edit the page? You mean the wiki? ... I'm only a humble retired technician, not an engineer so don't feel all that qualified to be a 'pedia contributer.

I think anyone with good intentions is qualified to contribute in the same way we are contributing to this forum. The real difference is a wiki page can be reviewed and improved. At the very least, I hope spending 5 min reading that article is time better spent than 5 min searching forums. Long term, I hope others will make small (and large) improvements.

Originally Posted by Magma

Just dont do it because unless you know what your doing you will get hurt.

Can you suggest the proper way to do this? I understand your point and certainly don't want anyone to get hurt or worse. I also know people will still do it for the same reason people change their own brake pads despite the danger of driving several tons of metal down the road with failing brakes. I'd rather have the information so if someone decides to take the risk they can at least minimize the risk.

[syncro]

Link to the updated article:
http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Stray_current

[Magma]

Originally Posted by syncro

Can you suggest the proper way to do this? I understand your point and certainly don't want anyone to get hurt or worse. I also know people will still do it for the same reason people change their own brake pads despite the danger of driving several tons of metal down the road with failing brakes. I'd rather have the information so if someone decides to take the risk they can at least minimize the risk.

IMO don't count a ground probe as a solution to the problem of stray voltage. It works yes but all its doing is allow the original problem to get worse.

I see you mentioned drip looks in your article which is great to help with water seeping into the plugs, also should add to inspect your equipment on a regular basis, check the cords, check the ends just make sure it still looks ok. How many of us have thrown a nasty crab into the sump at some point? whats to say he didnt get angry and try to crush your cords for your skimmer or return pump? Visual checks on regular basis.

If you do find some stray voltage unplug everything and test the water with each component one at a time to see what is causing it. If you cant find it after that then go to the other options/steps no point in trying the hard fix when you might be able to do something faster and more simple.

[syncro]

Originally Posted by Magma

IMO don't count a ground probe as a solution to the problem of stray voltage. It works yes but all its doing is allow the original problem to get worse.

I agree. Don't use it to solve the problem. What about using it to test for the problem? It won't catch all situations but it is probably safer than using a multimeter.

[Magma]

Originally Posted by syncro

It won't catch all situations but it is probably safer than using a multimeter.

NO

A ground probe only creates a path for current your not measuring anything. Multimeters are built to safely measure voltage (within the rated capacity of course). Now to measure current that's a different story, but to check for stray voltage you will still want to use a meter.

Red lead and black lead off the meter, doesn't matter which you want to use for what, one goes into the tank water the other into the ground of the electrical plug. (the ground is the half circle in the middle in case anyone doesn't know)

Just check the voltage rating of the meter before you go to use it, make sure it can handle more than what you are testing for. My personal Meter for the job is rated at:
CAT III - 1000V rating
AC Current - 660A
DC Current - 660A

Similar to this one
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/clam...cat-iii/930198

doesn't need to be an expensive one but needs to be able to handle more than you want to test for.