Urgent: Power strip Issue

[saltyvixen]

SO i was cleaning my sump when i noticed a sizzling sound. I went to check the power centers and i got shocked. SO i unplugged the one that i recieved the jolt from. I noticed A buzzing sound coming from the coralife power center/ timer and the light on it is flickering but no shockin when i touch it. Everything is unplugged now. I cant figure out what happened nothing got wet, my hands were dry when i recieved the shock... Help anyone?

EDIT When i got the shock from the power strip it was also in the OFF position

 

[ringo®]

Salt creep maybe?

 

[saltyvixen]

Ringo®;953212 wrote: Salt creep maybe?

Shouldnt be, the power strips are hung on the side of the stand, not touching the sump
And now im too scared to plug anything back up

 

[saltyvixen]

It would be awesome if someone with the voltage tester could come help lol

 

[saltyvixen]

Im going to assume the timer and power strips are bad. What do you guys use for power strip/timer?

 

[joseayes]

That might be a bad strip that I won't use if it was mine, toss that somewhere, I have a used one lightly that I can give to you for free, if you want it.

 

[saltyvixen]

joseayes;953225 wrote: That might be a bad strip that I won't use if it was mine, toss that somewhere, I have a used one lightly that I can give to you for free, if you want it.

It would be greatly appreciated. Im considering getting one of these for next time.

 

[joseayes]

That's the same I was using too, since the outlet that I got wasn't gfci, the one I have extra is another coralife

 

[saltyvixen]

joseayes;953227 wrote: That's the same I was using too, since the outlet that I got wasn't gfci, the one I have extra is another coralife

OK, thats wonderful.

 

[braselton4]

It could also be a faulty piece of equipment in your tank/sump. What equipment is in the water. Where is ATL do you live?

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

All it takes is one drip of water in those strips to short them out. Electricity travels very well in saltwater too. I would toss it in the garbage and find another one.

 

[saltyvixen]

Braselton4;953243 wrote: It could also be a faulty piece of equipment in your tank/sump. What equipment is in the water. Where is ATL do you live?

2 heaters , 4 powerheads , return pump but they were all off when the shock happened . Not sure if I mentioned that I was shocked when I touched the cord

Sent from my Z993 using Tapatalk

 

[rdnelson]

What else were you touching when you touched the cord? Electricity needs a completed circuit to flow. Your body cannot tell the directions especially when AC current reverses direction 60 times a second. My guess is the power strip is bad. Especially if you heard a crackle or sizzle. That is consistent with an arc (sparking) caused by a loose connection and/or a foreign object coming in contact with a conductor.


I know you all think I have no heart but now I have an ultrasound to prove it.

 

[saltyvixen]

rdnelson99;953259 wrote: What else were you touching when you touched the cord? Electricity needs a completed circuit to flow. Your body cannot tell the directions especially when AC current reverses direction 60 times a second. My guess is the power strip is bad. Especially if you heard a crackle or sizzle. That is consistent with an arc (sparking) caused by a loose connection and/or a foreign object coming in contact with a conductor.


I know you all think I have no heart but now I have an ultrasound to prove it.

It happened so quick i cant remember what else i was touching.

 

[rdnelson]

Start with the power strip. Just be careful for a while. That may be treating the symptom and not the cause. A meter will not do you much good in my opinion. Myself and another electrical contractor ran some tests a couple years ago that indicated that most tanks will read stray voltage. I believe that the salt water acts as an electrolyte just like a battery. When in constant motion, it will generate some voltage but should never be enough to shock you. Therefore, a meter really won't tell you anything. Trial and error can get expensive replacing parts but sometimes it is the only way.


I know you all think I have no heart but now I have an ultrasound to prove it.

 

[saltyvixen]

So i used my kitchen gfci and the sink to test the equipment, nothing tripped it, i didnt bother with the strip that shocked me because i didnt want to get shocked again. But it had burn marks where a plug was so i threw it out. PLugged everything back up one at a time, tested with my hand, after watching the fish for a sec. No tingling or anything. So i guess problem solved. Gonna make a new thread asking specifically what other people use for power strip and timers/

 

[fredfish]

Hey Salty, sorry about your electrical issues.... I have a dual timer coralife power strip that I only used for a few months before I put a reefkeeper on my system. You can have it if you still need it.

 

[rodasphoto]

If I were you and your budget allows it I would get a controller either Reef Angel or Apex. Its an investment but its nice not having to deal with timers.