• There's tension in the aquarium! SOS!

  • Brandon9634

Good afternoon, a problem has arisen! I cut my finger and started to arrange the fittings in the aquarium, and I feel a sting that is quite strong. I take an indicator and put it in the water, and it lights up. I take a tester: water + zero = 40-42 volts. I disconnect the equipment one by one - the indicator shows up to the last plug. I take the tester again: everything is turned off = 3 volts, and it gets even more interesting when I turn on each device, it adds an average of 5 volts, totaling 40 volts. I take an extension cord and plug it into an outlet from another room, thoroughly and completely wipe the cords and plugs on the pumps, and turn them on one by one - each device again adds five volts of voltage. If I hadn't cut my finger, I wouldn't have known. I'm at a dead end regarding which direction to move.

Jasmine

To begin with, fill out the profile correctly so that it is clear what electrical equipment is present!

Rachael

Volodya, if nothing better comes to your mind, why write? Standard equipment for the sea: foam maker, return pump, two circulation pumps, heater, UV pump + the UV itself, that's what goes in the water.

Troy8808

Install the RCD and sequentially turn on the load; when it trips, you will see who is "pinching" you.

Joseph8592

Most likely, it will not turn off from a specific device, but when a certain amount is reached, because as mentioned earlier, the voltage increases with sequential connections. It might even cut off at the first one. I went to the workshop where I have 4 aquariums, two freshwater and two saltwater, and the situation is the same - it's not the equipment...

Elizabeth6302

will trip on current, depending on the RCD, from 10 to 30 mA of leakage.

David7773

If it were just one device, it would have been detected anyway, but everyone seems to be giving hints, I don't know how to call it - but it's not a leak!

Tricia7885

It's up to you...

John3335

I was also getting shocked, I checked it just like you - each device gave +6V and one pump +50))). I threw it away - everything is fine now)

Lynn4242

So what? Water + power line will be a couple of kilovolts. For the creatures, the potential in the aquarium relative to something else doesn't matter. What matters to them is the potential difference in the aquarium itself, i.e., the current in the water. And where did you get the neutral?

Barbara8192

After that pump was thrown out, the other devices stopped giving 6 volts?

Sandra7004

Seryoga, I've been waiting for you, you're advanced in this matter. I got zero readings both from the outlet and just holding it in my hand, the result is the same. So, should I not worry? I'm afraid of the corals. Until now, I haven't cut myself and didn't know or think about it. So if I ground the aquarium, will there be a potential difference? Are there topics about titanium electrodes in water and grounding?

Randy

After that, I will start having problems. Since the potential difference at the pump will give you a voltage (potential difference) between ground and the electrical equipment.

Kimberly2102

These are probably hints. A lot of equipment around. There is a trick - in the evening, after the LEDs in the aquarium turn off, if you put your hand on the glass of one lamp, the lamp starts to glow. A hint on the body is enough to ignite the ionized gas. I wouldn't bother, but out of curiosity, I'll measure it on myself. Yes. And this is worse.

Jennifer5371

You can conduct an experiment: One probe on ground, with the other one move it around the aquarium and look for places where the voltage is higher. If it's the same everywhere, it's interference. Off-topic: You don't need to tell me about the electrical conductivity of water. It does conduct, but the resistance is quite significant.

Andrew419

So if I ground the aquarium, will there be a potential difference? Yes. And that's worse. Damn, Sergey, thanks, you saved me... I almost grounded mine out of stupidity when I got shocked so hard it felt like a hammer. I even bought a titanium rod. I found the leak - it was the pump, a Chinese one. I threw it out and now I only feel barely noticeable tingling in the wound. It feels more like salt than electricity.

Spencer7805

No, everything is as it was, each device is +6V, the potential difference in the aquarium is about 0V, so everything is okay now, I hope.

Frederick

If you install grounding, you also need to install an RCD (Residual Current Device), otherwise, if a wire in the aquarium shorts in one corner and the grounding is in the opposite corner, the current will flow through the water across the entire aquarium and... it will be the end for the animal.

Linda

Will the RCD not work without grounding?

Christopher

Try turning off all the equipment and putting your injured arm in the aquarium. I think you'll understand what's what.

Amy1672

By the way, I saw a new line of RCDs that can be plugged into an outlet. It's an interesting thing, especially if you need to check a specific device for a short circuit. Proper grounding in the outlet is essential for the normal operation of the device.

Patrick4439

I have the same issue with voltage. At first, I thought something was shorting out. I turned off all the devices one by one. The result: a drop of about 7-8V on each device. I bought a voltage tester with the ability to search for hidden wiring in the walls. The tester starts making a loud noise when it gets within 25-30 cm of the aquarium. Definitely interference. By the way, if you use an analog tester, it shows 1V between "0" and the water, while a digital one shows 60V. And rest assured, if there is a good potential in the water and if there are no cuts on your hands, it will hit you hard. Tested. And it's not worth grounding the aquarium, especially installing a residual current device.

Helen

I insert it with scratches and deep cuts. It used to sting. Now it doesn't. There is a residual current device. There is no grounding.

Sara4035

Where is the RCD connected? To the NEUTRAL in the socket?

Adam4310

which RCD specifically?

Mark9853

10.

Mitchell3177

Today I installed a residual current device for the aquarium, let it be.

Amanda

Maybe I don't understand something, but why install a residual current device? One fine day, everyone will go on vacation, and no one will be home, and BAM, the RCD trips. We come back the next day, and the aquarium is without power.

Andrew9246

Yes, but they say it's already noticeable at 30mA. There is protection against reflexes here - to avoid flinching and knocking something over (LCD, equipment). The aquarium is glass.

Christopher1774

That's right! There is a tangible and a threshold, these are different things. For safety, insulation is needed!!!

Joseph

God forbid, curious wife or children. I decided to add that I also read on some educational website that 10 mA is used in damp areas (like bathrooms, saunas). I also installed 10 mA for myself.