Stray voltage ???

[johniii]

So recently I had a friend call me and tell me his reef was shocking him.
I packed up my multimeter and proceeded to unplug equipment one piece at a time. After all equipment was unplugged. Including the power strip from the wall. I still get 45 volts from the tank to ground.

Can a parameter be off and cause a capacitor like effect in the tank.
The voltage dissipates quickly after using the meter, then quickly returns.

I know they make ground probes and recommended he pick one up.
But this is not the solution. Just a fix till the solution can be found.

Has anyone else had a problem like this. :banghead:
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[grouper therapy]

The grounding probe is not the answer either way. All they do is complete a circuit if one does not exist. Sounds like a meter calibration may be needed. What brand is it?

 

[johniii]

grouper therapy;804232 wrote: The grounding probe is not the answer either way. All they do is complete a circuit if one does not exist. Sounds like a meter calibration may be needed. What brand is it?

My meter is a fluke. I use it every day. Calibration is good. Compared to several on site voltage monitors in the stores I work in.

Just checked to be sure. The store I'm at has three voltage monitors in it. One is 209.3, one is 209.1, other is 209.3. My meter reads 208.8. Close enough for the girls I know

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[johniii]

And with everything unplugged it will still shock you.

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[nassar0505]

I know you said everythings unplugged does that include the lighting ( not knowing anything about this tank), But my fish only tank has a cheap t8 fixture that sits on top and if touch it and the water i get a zappy zapp. I know this is a bit different than stray voltage from pumps in the water but i feel if there is any condensation on the light that might some how drip and complete a circuit from the light back down to the tank. That would create stray voltage.. .02cent

 

[johniii]

nassar0505;804252 wrote: I know you said everythings unplugged does that include the lighting ( not knowing anything about this tank), But my fish only tank has a cheap t8 fixture that sits on top and if touch it and the water i get a zappy zapp. I know this is a bit different than stray voltage from pumps in the water but i feel if there is any condensation on the light that might some how drip and complete a circuit from the light back down to the tank. That would create stray voltage.. .02cent

All cords even the strip removed from the wall receptacle.

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[jef4y]

if EVERYTHING is unplugged, you're getting it from a capacitor somewhere. Start up cap on a return pump maybe?

 

[rdnelson]

The salt in the water is acting as an electrolyte. Therefore, the tank is actually like a battery. Both wmboots (an electrical contractor) and I have gone through exactly what you are describing. I do not believe you have any stray voltage nor is it a capacitor.

 

[grouper therapy]

rdnelson99;804260 wrote: The salt in the water is acting as an electrolyte. Therefore, the tank is actually like a battery. Both wmboots (an electrical contractor) and I have gone through exactly what you are describing. I do not believe you have any stray voltage nor is it a capacitor.

I assume it would be a dc voltage correct?

Edit:

JohnIII;804233 wrote: My meter is a fluke. I use it every day. Calibration is good. Compared to several on site voltage monitors in the stores I work in.

Just checked to be sure. The store I'm at has three voltage monitors in it. One is 209.3, one is 209.1, other is 209.3. My meter reads 208.8. Close enough for the girls I know

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That is a goodun

 

[rdnelson]

Yes unless your wave maker is cycles 60 times a second. LOL

But, in most cases, if you have the meter set to ac and put it on a dc circuit you will read some voltage. Or the other way around. In my case, the more I unplugged the higher the voltage reading went. If I had to fully explain it in terms of electrical theory I couldn't do it. But I guess that is why it is called electrical theory not electrical fact. LOL


The best guess I have is that there is a difference of potential that between the water and whatever he is grounding the other lead too. That will give a voltage reading through the meter but there really is not current present.

 

[johniii]

rdnelson99;804267 wrote: Yes unless your wave maker is cycles 60 times a second. LOL

But, in most cases, if you have the meter set to ac and put it on a dc circuit you will read some voltage. Or the other way around. In my case, the more I unplugged the higher the voltage reading went. If I had to fully explain it in terms of electrical theory I couldn't do it. But I guess that is why it is called electrical theory not electrical fact. LOL


The best guess I have is that there is a difference of potential that between the water and whatever he is grounding the other lead too. That will give a voltage reading through the meter but there really is not current present.

If there is nothing present. Why the shock. Will grounding stop it?

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[johniii]

JeF4y;804255 wrote: if EVERYTHING is unplugged, you're getting it from a capacitor somewhere. Start up cap on a return pump maybe?

Yes but once discharged a cap stays discharged. This returns without external power being supplied

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[grouper therapy]

What are you grounding to?

 

[ralph atl]

this doesn't make any sense, and voltage doesn't stray......

if something has a short, exposed wire, cracked casing....whatever...that will cause a circuit if you touch the water, etc...

 

[johniii]

grouper therapy;804273 wrote: What are you grounding to?

Ground on the outlet in the wall

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[rdnelson]

JohnIII;804276 wrote: Ground on the outlet in the wall

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Try measuring between the ground and the neutral on the outlet. Tell me what you read?

 

[jef4y]

JohnIII;804271 wrote: Yes but once discharged a cap stays discharged. This returns without external power being supplied

Then we're on to my next guess... Cold Fusion. :tongue:

 

[j65love14]

If this helps the setup in question is on carpet and has a wood stand. Could it be static charge and maybe something about the salt water?

 

[johniii]

JeF4y;804288 wrote: Then we're on to my next guess... Cold Fusion. :tongue:

I am thinking atomic fission myself


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[grouper therapy]

rdnelson99;804286 wrote: Try measuring between the ground and the neutral on the outlet. Tell me what you read?

I think you know what I was thinking and that should scare both of us!!!!!