help!! Urgen electric shock
- Thread starter justin_ny
- Start date
bammbamm74
Member
or, if you don't have a VOM, use your hand. 
Hey, don't those pumps have a converter in them to change the voltage from ac to dc?
Hey, don't those pumps have a converter in them to change the voltage from ac to dc?
dad
Active Member
Make sure your tank in either on a GFCI recepticle or breaker for your protection.
Having some voltage in your tank is quit normal(up to a sertain point). It's called stray voltage.
There have been alot of debates over it.
But if you have your tank on a GFCI, you and your tank will do fine,
Having some voltage in your tank is quit normal(up to a sertain point). It's called stray voltage.
There have been alot of debates over it.
But if you have your tank on a GFCI, you and your tank will do fine,
rabid frog
Active Member
what is a gfci?? Where would I get one? I have my tank set up going to a surge protector.
dad
Active Member
A GFCI is a ground fault circuit interupter.
Most people have them in their bathrooms and kitchens.
The recepticle has a test button on it to make sure it works and a reset button.
You can get them about anyplace that sells plugs and switches. They cost about $10.
You can change your old plug outyourself very easly. Just make sure the power is turned off!
They also make a splitter that has a gfci built into it. It is very good because you can plug maney things into it. This way you do not have to change your existing plug out! I've seen them for around $20 in computer depts.
Most people have them in their bathrooms and kitchens.
The recepticle has a test button on it to make sure it works and a reset button.
You can get them about anyplace that sells plugs and switches. They cost about $10.
You can change your old plug outyourself very easly. Just make sure the power is turned off!
They also make a splitter that has a gfci built into it. It is very good because you can plug maney things into it. This way you do not have to change your existing plug out! I've seen them for around $20 in computer depts.
nacl-h2o
Active Member
The best way to determine a voltage in a tank using a volt or multimeter is to put one lead in the tank and touch the other to someting grounded or better yet put it in the ground of an outlet (the third or lower hole in a receptical). Unplug everything and plug each device in one at a time and check your voltage until something sends it up. you will detect a voltage in the tank with nothing on, but it wont be much. Its usually a pump.
dad
Active Member
well Justin_NY,
I try not to answer questions that change the subject of the original thread, but this is the first time I have heard the question,
The answer is yes they do. I have seen them used in other applications(not tanks though).
But please put them out of your mind!
Use a gfci and have peace of mind that you and everyone else will be safe.
I try not to answer questions that change the subject of the original thread, but this is the first time I have heard the question,
The answer is yes they do. I have seen them used in other applications(not tanks though).
But please put them out of your mind!
Use a gfci and have peace of mind that you and everyone else will be safe.
drkegel
Member
GFCI's are a very good thing to have, but are not absolutely necessary. For many years, they didn't make them, and people kept aquariums. IF you have kids/other pets, you should put one in however as a safety.
You just have to be careful, install drip loops and never touch electrical contacts, or let water get near them.
Over the years, building codes have changed, which is why in newer homes you have them in your kitchen and bathroom. Old houses typically do not have them, unless they've been remodeled.
In lieu of a GFCI, you can buy, or make, a grounding probe. This is basically a wire with a piece of stainless steel (or some other non-corrisive metal) that sits in the tank and runs to an outlet. It "grounds" any stray voltage you may have so you don't get a shock and your aquarium life doesn't feel any shock.
You just have to be careful, install drip loops and never touch electrical contacts, or let water get near them.
Over the years, building codes have changed, which is why in newer homes you have them in your kitchen and bathroom. Old houses typically do not have them, unless they've been remodeled.
In lieu of a GFCI, you can buy, or make, a grounding probe. This is basically a wire with a piece of stainless steel (or some other non-corrisive metal) that sits in the tank and runs to an outlet. It "grounds" any stray voltage you may have so you don't get a shock and your aquarium life doesn't feel any shock.