• Another danger of electrical equipment in water

  • Kenneth7210

Yesterday, a very unfortunate incident occurred. While everyone was at work, the flow pump overheated (either it got stuck or there was a short circuit in the winding). It heated up significantly, and since the windings are coated with epoxy compound, it began to decompose due to the heat, releasing epichlorohydrin and chlorinated hydrocarbons. All these substances are toxic. Naturally, the decomposition products dissolved in the water and poisoned all living things. The result was murky water, three dead fish (one more was half-dead and was pumped out), and all the snails, stars, and shrimp perished. It seems that was the end of it. The smell in the apartment still lingers despite enhanced ventilation. Now I'm sitting here designing a power block with fuses for ALL devices. I really don't want a repeat of this... I recommend others do the same. The cost of such a block is much lower than the potential losses and the cost of medication to calm the nerves. P.S. If anyone has extra fish for sale, please write. I need a fox and a helmon. Otherwise, it depends on what you offer.

Whitney

If it's not a secret, what brand is this pump?

Christopher4125

JVP. The most common brand for us. I don't think it's about the company. There are plenty of these pumps working for everyone, and this case is probably the first.

Ryan2281

I had another trouble with the same pomp last night. The insulation "died" a couple of centimeters from where the wire enters the case, due to simple electrolysis. In the morning, everything looked as if a glass of milk had been poured into the aquarium, and the copper test was off the charts. The hedgehogs, shrimp, and small creatures like asterinas and ophiuroids immediately went into the negatives. The circuit breaker is on, but it didn't trip, apparently... the "short" wasn't quite short enough... This kind of problem occurs quite often, and the consequences are very sad.

Tracey

I would recommend removing all the livestock from the aquarium and doing a complete restart. From personal experience, copper ions completely killed my aquarium in a couple of days, and water changes didn't help; 100% of the water was replaced in two days.

Aaron580

To address insulation issues, the aquarium should be grounded, for example, with titanium wire, and an RCD should be installed for the power supply of the aquarium equipment, or better yet, for the entire apartment. This could save your life.

Christopher3770

How can you say if there is no grounding? How can it shock you? I stood on a stool for half an hour in the aquarium with a dry floor, and everything was fine. But when I pulled it out to clean it, I saw that there was an accident and serious damage to the wire. I threw the pump away, but if there had been grounding, it would have been a problem for the corals, the fish, and anyone who reached in. I'm not an electrician, but that's what I think.

Robert1845

Vitaly, the aquarium "client" has already replaced 75% today, we'll see what happens next. In this case, isolation can be shoved up your ass. We're talking about ELECTROLYSIS, not electric shocks.

James

Tough.

Karen

Well, here the "troubles" are only for the owner, and even then only when he puts his hands in the aquarium. But here it's already a problem for the inhabitants of the tank, and it's a serious problem.

Diana8604

Hi! What have you come up with? Is there a result? Tell me! What’s the concept at least?

Crystal

I would build according to the current. In any possible scenario, the load will change, and that's where it should be cut off, and there are many options for implementation!

Rebecca

To avoid electrolysis, an RCD can be installed, with settings of 30 mA being sufficient, although there are also 10 mA options. However, it won't protect against overheating without a breakdown.