Shocking discovery

[themcnertney]

I have 3 AI Hydra 52 lights over my 220. The mounts are DIY. I used two bars of all thread and ran them thru the channels at the top of the units. I used some hex head nuts to tighten down each unit. Upon working on my tank, my arm was in the water, I touched to all thread and got shocked. Was wondering why?

 

[themcnertney]

Simple fix I think would be wire loom over the all thread.

 

[scardall]

If the plug at the end is not 3 prongs the lighting may not be properly grounded . For piece of mind, try this. Take your shoes and socks off and put your hand in your tank water ONLY. If you do, a piece of equipment is a ground source. Glass does not conduct electricity. Salt water does.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I would suggest a multimeter before putting your hand in possibly live electricity. Electricity is very dangerous. When coupled with saltwater and improper grounding, possibly deadly.

 

[azbigjohn]

I would suggest a multimeter before putting your hand in possibly live electricity. Electricity is very dangerous. When coupled with saltwater and improper grounding, possibly deadly.

While, in all honesty, I am rarely this smart (ask my wife, she will gladly confirm) this makes a lot of sense to me!

Like your parents always said, though... Do as I say, not as I (usually) do!

 

[themcnertney]

Why is there current running through the all thread?

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I can't see in pic if there is or is not a good drip loop between the wires running down side of tank and the couple of power bricks sitting on the stand. If not, possible saltwater ran down the wires and created conductivity along the "creep"

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

You don't have to see the salt creep for it to be there either. Happened with my biocube and kessil light.

 

[kateater]

I have a similar setup and was shocked last night. After inspection I found the ground prong on my extension cord had been compromised. I replaced the cord and no more shocking discoveries. Lol

 

[themcnertney]

I have a similar setup and was shocked last night. After inspection I found the ground prong on my extension cord had been compromised. I replaced the cord and no more shocking discoveries. Lol

Interesting. I have a friend who is an electrician. He's gonna swing by and take a look this weekend.

 

[themcnertney]

You don't have to see the salt creep for it to be there either. Happened with my biocube and kessil light.

Don't think salt creep is the issue but I will look into it.

 

[vedros74]

Maybe where you ran the all threads through its rubbing on a wire somewhere

 

[themcnertney]

Maybe where you ran the all threads through its rubbing on a wire somewhere

Don't think so but I'll check that too.

 

[SirMilo]

Did you run screws into the lights until they stopped turning (the mounting hooks)?
I don't know this to be fact but i've read somewhere that the screws can bottom out on the pucks since it isn't a blind hole.
In other words, the holes may be drilled all the way through the heatsink and the screw could be touching the back of a puck with voltage to it.
I'm also running a DIY rack with all thread and just verified that mine isn't doing this.

 

[themcnertney]

Did you run screws into the lights until they stopped turning (the mounting hooks)?
I don't know this to be fact but i've read somewhere that the screws can bottom out on the pucks since it isn't a blind hole.
In other words, the holes may be drilled all the way through the heatsink and the screw could be touching the back of a puck with voltage to it.
I'm also running a DIY rack with all thread and just verified that mine isn't doing this.

This might be the case. I'm wondering if it is, if I could put a piece of rubber between the puck and screw.

 

[themcnertney]

Would using a ground probe from one of my outlets to the sump fix this issue?

 

[SirMilo]

This might be the case. I'm wondering if it is, if I could put a piece of rubber between the puck and screw.

No need to do that.
Just try backing them out 3/4 to 1 full turn- hopefully that's all it is.

 

[themcnertney]

No need to do that.
Just try backing them out 3/4-1 turn- hopefully that's all it is.

Right on. Let me investigate this and I'll get back to you.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

This post actually made me snag my ground probe I had sitting in all my mish mash of fish shenanigans and toss in just for extra measure.

 

[themcnertney]

This post actually made me snag my ground probe I had sitting in all my mish mash of fish shenanigans and toss in just for extra measure.

I think between backing the screws off an bit and adding a ground probe, this should fix the "shocking" issue.