GFI question

[ReeferMaddness843]

So...... I have installed a GFI on my tank. All my equipment ran through it and it doesn't trip. I found a ground probe lying around so opted to do extra security (maybe) and added to my sump. Now the stumper. My gfi doesn't trip when my equipment is plugged in, but as soon as the ground probe is plugged in it trips. I'm going to check water with a meter in a moment, but there is no stray voltage to the touch (which I know doesn't mean anything). The probe does run through a port on my stand that also houses a bundle of amp drawing equipment wiring (t5 ballasts, power heads, pump motor, etc). Is it possible the wire is just sensing the amperage through the wiring and causing a trip or does it automatically indicate a definite voltage leak somewhere? Reason I ask is because of the way an amp meter is capable of reading amps via clamp and no direct wire contact. Any advice or suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[Anthony Wood]

I'm not an electrician but do know enough that the magnets of pumps will let off induced voltage. Which is not harmful. Idk if the ground probe will attrach that induced voltage and trip the gfi though. If the tank has no stray current after using a multimeter. try moving the ground probe as far away from a pump as possible and see if that's it. If it still does the same thing then idk what to tell you.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

No stray voltage as per meter. However prior to testing, I did unplug every item, wipe down all cords and plugs for unseen salt creep, plugged all back in and the probe no longer tripped the gfi. There must have been something causing voltage leak prior to wipe down. This is the EXACT reason I added these safety features. Whew.
Thanks for your response!

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I do have the probe on the opposite end of sump as my return pumps. But, skimmer is in same chamber there as well, so it still has a pump in that chamber.

 

[Anthony Wood]

I do have the probe on the opposite end of sump as my return pumps. But, skimmer is in same chamber there as well, so it still has a pump in that chamber.

Like I said I'm no electrician the induced voltage was only a guess on a reason and worth a try to move it as far away as possible from any pump haha I'm stumped.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

It's all resolved as of now so whatever the fix was, I'm happy. Lol.
I'm actually a maint director for an apartment complex so I have the knowledge which is what really bugged me when I couldn't wrap my head around what the problem may have been.

 

[Anthony Wood]

No stray voltage as per meter. However prior to testing, I did unplug every item, wipe down all cords and plugs for unseen salt creep, plugged all back in and the probe no longer tripped the gfi. There must have been something causing voltage leak prior to wipe down. This is the EXACT reason I added these safety features. Whew.
Thanks for your response!

Good catch! Somewhere along the line either positive was touching ground or neutral was touching ground. Just so you are aware if positive touches neutral and doesn't touch the ground a gfi isn't going to help you. Say for example water gets spilled on a powerstrip unless you unplug it you'll burn the house down. But your doing the right thing it's nothing to really worry about as long as your mindful of what your doing.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I may have just figured it out with that said. My skimmer cup actually bubbled over yesterday when we had a power outage and started up before water level dropped and returns caught up. (Fortunately I had just emptied it) That may have caused some splash to the strip as I had to wipe a few spots inside stand down. Everything is drip looped and above water level so I didn't even think to check.