ground probe placement

[Rikko]

It's generally a good idea to only use a grounding probe with a GFCI. Reason being that if a voltage leak is in fact present, then as it "drains" out the grounding probe, the GFCI will detect it and trip.. Power is cut until you can resolve the problem. Without a GFCI the grounding probe will just give you current flowing through the system from your damaged device to ground. I think some RC safety police have suggested that a heavy voltage leak can also be fatal if you reach into the tank using a probe (I'm not sure how that would work if it's going to ground anyways..).