How to test for stray current using a multimeter?

[crewdawg1981]

Okay, so I've got this:

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I cant tell anymore if I've got a stray current, but figured I'd give it a whirl. Aside from sticking your hand in a tank to see if it passes the tingle test or not, how do you test for stray current using one of these?

I assume that you touch the black to a ground of some sort (what do I use for that?!) and then touch the red to the water? What do I set the dial to?

Thanks guys!

 

[dawgface]

Did you buy that strictly for your tank? Lol what we do for these dang aquariums!

BTW I don't know how it works... So following along.

 

[crewdawg1981]

haha! No I borrowed it from my stepdad after I felt like I had a stray current. He got it for $4 online!?! he was like... I mean... for $4 why not buy another one right? (he actually uses a multimeter everyday for work).

 

[dawgface]

Dang! I was going to ask how much thinking that $70.00 or less of would be a nice piece of mind.... $4 where?

 

[crewdawg1981]

hahaha! Ya know... I figured I'd look since he didnt know. Found it on Ebay for $4 plus $6 in shipping... bought it.

 

[raz0945]

Turn your dial clockwise to 200, put one tip into the ground of an outlet or the ground in the extension cord, the other tip into the water. It will tell you how much current is in the water. I check my power heads after I clean them, some times the vinegar causes them to breakdown the material that protects the motor.. Holley

 

[crewdawg1981]

Thank you Holley!

 

[grouper therapy]

Even if the meter shows current doesn't mean that it is there when you are not testing. It only tells you that something has the potential to provide the current. In pther words the multimeter may be the completion of the circuit.

 

[rdnelson]

I agree with this totally. And, I would add that a $4 dollar meter is like using a hydrometer that hasn't been taken care of. What you read may or may not be accurate.

Now, if you are going to use that one, use it on several different scales. at 200 volts, it will most likely not pick up something in the 1-2 volt range.

grouper therapy;707781 wrote: Even if the meter shows current doesn't mean that it is there when you are not testing. It only tells you that something has the potential to provide the current. In pther words the multimeter may be the completion of the circuit.

 

[kayakatl]

grouper therapy;707781 wrote: Even if the meter shows current doesn't mean that it is there when you are not testing. It only tells you that something has the potential to provide the current. In pther words the multimeter may be the completion of the circuit.

This is correct. It's the same reason I would NEVER use a grounding probe. Voltage in the water is not a problem until you make a circuit. In other words, Assuming you are insulated from ground you can hold the hot leg of an electrical circuit all day long. As soon as you go to ground or neutral (same in most residential applications) you complete the circuit and get shocked. If there is stray voltage in the tank its better to check with a volt meter once a week/month than to place a grounding probe in the water and run that current through your system. If you find stray voltage find the source and scrap it. My .02.