Aquarist found dead

[outacontrol]

Originally Posted by mark

May be 1/2 a cycle but the comparator cct needs to see the imbalance, that's through me without a ground probe

If the fault is in the light and the ground probe is in the tank, then it is still through you.
On a side note a GFCI must trip at 0.006 Amps so I don't think 0.0059 Amps for a time of 0.0083 will be of any concern.
Plus the ground probe is a lower imperdance path to ground than any other possible path for the current, and lower impedance means higher current.

[mike31154]

Here are two links to some additional reading material on the subject. Seems from a bona fide source. Personally I split my system load between two GFCI devices and do not use a grounding probe. For added redundancy, each GFCI is on a different circuit breaker. The only buzz I have ever experienced is while brushing my clip on T5HO reflectors with my arm while my hand was in the water. I assume the T5 lamps induced voltage in the reflectors and I completed the path to the water through my arm. I have since individually grounded each of my reflectors and the problem is solved. This was not sufficient to trip a GFCI device, so I also assume the buzz was harmless, below the danger threshold of a healthy individual. Someone with a pacemaker might have had a problem. If I recall correctly, before grounding the reflectors, I read about 30 volts AC between the reflectors and the water. So that potential was always there, but had no place to go until my arm completed the path to the water. If you install a grounding probe in your system, the same situation may arise, with a voltage potential with no path, until a grounding probe or you provides it.

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

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

[Coleus]

well here is my story: I got electrocuted when i was mixing my water the other days. All my tank equipments are split among 2 GFCIs, but for some lazy reason, i hooked my powerhead to a normal outlet and some water leaked into the outlet that i did not see. I got a huge shock but was ok. Maybe my body get used to these because i got shocked so many times (more or less 10 times) when i was a kid and with 220V voltage instead of 110V. But it is something i don't want to experience

Where does one purchase a GFI probe? and is one better then the other.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Trocar61

Where does one purchase a GFI probe? and is one better then the other.

home depot sells singles, twin and three packs. there all about the same, I buy the fancy ones with the light that tells you if it is hooked up and working right.

Steve

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

home depot sells singles, twin and three packs. there all about the same, I buy the fancy ones with the light that tells you if it is hooked up and working right.

Steve

Cool thanks for the info.

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by Trocar61

Where does one purchase a GFI probe? and is one better then the other.

Just to clear this up a little, there is no such animal as a GFI 'probe'. You're looking for a GFI or GFCI device and these come in a number of different flavours. Probably the easiest install is to replace the electrical receptacle, usually a two outlet plug in, with a GFCI receptacle. A more expensive and probably unnecessary option is to install a GFCI circuit breaker in your electrical panel. Downside here is, they generally use up two spaces in your panel and will take out an entire circuit when they trip. A receptacle type will only take out what's plugged in to that receptacle and any circuits downstream of it, hooked up to the load side of the GFCI receptacle. Third and simplest option is to get a GFCI power bar which is simply plugged into any receptacle that's handy. It can be moved around as required. Thing to watch out for here, is that some of these must be reset manually if there's a power outage. Most, if not all GFCI receptacles will reset automatically if the power to them is interrupted and later restored. If they trip due to a fault with a component, they all need to be reset and the faulty component identified.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by outacontrol

If the fault is in the light and the ground probe is in the tank, then it is still through you.
On a side note a GFCI must trip at 0.006 Amps so I don't think 0.0059 Amps for a time of 0.0083 will be of any concern.
.

also given that the GFI must trip at 0.006amp, it shows that is it 10 times lower than what is concidered deadly to a healthy person. 0.06 amps will kill a healthy person if it travels through the heart. this is why they have GFIs, they will trip befor the amprage is anywhere near what is needed to be deadly. a person with a weak heart will requite over 0.03 amps.

Remember these numbers are only if the current passes through your heart. if you are wiping the glass in the tank and brush your shoulder against the lights and get a zap, it is highly unlikly that it would pass through your heart as the quickest path to ground is in your shoulder and out your hand to the water. now if you were cleaning with the left hand and grab the lights with your right and if the amprage is large enough you had a grounding probe, you would still probably be dead as the probe just insures that your hand is in a ground path. so in a way you have more of a chance of getting shocked by a exteranal fixture if you have a ground probe.

my opinion is to install GFIs and through the grounding probe in the garbage.

one thing to note, is GFI outlets still need to be tested ocasionaly time to time. make this a part of your normal maintenance routeens.

Steve

[kevNnic]

i run every everything off powerbar with the trip switch on it. I use them on all my tv's and my fishtank. is that basically the same as a gfi?



http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

i's dont wants to die..

[Milad]

You are going do die... sorry

you need GFCI outlet
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/s...k=P_PartNumber

Originally Posted by kevNnic

i run every everything off powerbar with the trip switch on it. I use them on all my tv's and my fishtank. is that basically the same as a gfi?



http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/7/Electronics/TVsAccessories/ElectricalPowerBars/PRD~0527249P/Likewise%252B6%252BOutlet%252BValue%252BPower%252B Bar.jsp?locale=en

i's dont wants to die..