Advice - steps for testing for stray voltage

[Brew12]

Where do you recommend ground probe be placed? ( In the tank or in the sump?) I had first time stray voltage 2 weeks ago in new system. I have the ground probe placed in center of tank and stray voltage is gone BUT it is just hanging there in center of tank.

I keep mine in the sump. As long as the return pump is running, everything will be electrically connected.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I keep mine in the sump. As long as the return pump is running, everything will be electrically connected.

It's my First external pump ( Reeflow hammerhead gold). At the time , there was No heater or any other electrical components plugged in that was immersed in water. As soon as the ground went into the tank, that stinging sensation ceased). I have a second ground- one that plugs into outlet. Will try that one and place in sump and see if it stops it also, then I can remove unsightly one hanging at top of tank

 

[Junglejim]

@Makers Marc
Did you ground your system? Any improvement on you Acro's?

 

[Mickey]

Hope no one minds if I piggyback on this thread since it's a similar topic. I was trying to test for stray voltage in my tank and may have done something wrong so need some help. The multimeter I have won't stretch from the tank or sump to a wall outlet so I was using an outlet on a powerstrip/surge protector that is plugged into the wall. There is no tank equipment on that particular circuit and it is not GFI.

Anyway, I held the red probe in the sump and stretched to get the black probe to the ground on the powerstrip. Couldn't quite reach and still read the multimeter so I pushed the black lead far enough in so it would stay by itself (Not real far but further than just touching one of the sides). o_O You guessed it, I popped the breaker on the powerstrip and also on the other power strip in the same wall outlet. It was my TV and cable box. Turns out the entire outlet is dead but the circuit breaker did not throw off. Thank good ness I didn't fry the electronics. Everything is fine and now moved to a different circuit. But original circuit seems to be dead - I'm afraid to test it myself at this point but nothing plugged into the outlets work. It's a circuit that was put in maybe 20 years ago and nothing else is on it.

But I still don't know if I have stray voltage or not. Tank has been running for many years and everything is fine except for one fish that seems to have a problem for the last week to 10 days and that's what prompted me to test.

Can someone confirm that pushing the black probe too far in caused my problem or did I do something else wrong? I'd really like to try again but I'm afraid. ;Blackeye

 

[Brew12]

Hope no one minds if I piggyback on this thread since it's a similar topic. I was trying to test for stray voltage in my tank and may have done something wrong so need some help. The multimeter I have won't stretch from the tank or sump to a wall outlet so I was using an outlet on a powerstrip/surge protector that is plugged into the wall. There is no tank equipment on that particular circuit and it is not GFI.

Anyway, I held the red probe in the sump and stretched to get the black probe to the ground on the powerstrip. Couldn't quite reach and still read the multimeter so I pushed the black lead far enough in so it would stay by itself (Not real far but further than just touching one of the sides). o_O You guessed it, I popped the breaker on the powerstrip and also on the other power strip in the same wall outlet. It was my TV and cable box. Turns out the entire outlet is dead but the circuit breaker did not throw off. Thank good ness I didn't fry the electronics. Everything is fine and now moved to a different circuit. But original circuit seems to be dead - I'm afraid to test it myself at this point but nothing plugged into the outlets work. It's a circuit that was put in maybe 20 years ago and nothing else is on it.

But I still don't know if I have stray voltage or not. Tank has been running for many years and everything is fine except for one fish that seems to have a problem for the last week to 10 days and that's what prompted me to test.

Can someone confirm that pushing the black probe too far in caused my problem or did I do something else wrong? I'd really like to try again but I'm afraid. ;Blackeye

It is possible that pushing the black probe in too far caused your problem. It doesn't explain why the circuit is dead without the breaker being thrown. Are you sure it isn't in its trip free position? I would try to open it and reclose it to see if that restores power.

A better way to do this than using a power strip is to use an extension cord. It's easier to get where you need it, and no worry about the probe going in too far.

 

[Mickey]

Thanks. I'll try with an extension cord. Turns out that the outlet is a GFI and that's why it seems dead. I just need to reset it. Can't directly see the outlet because it's behind some heavy furniture which is why I didn't realize it.