Who uses a grounding probe?

[JWeb]

I just did some reading over at Reefcentral looking for information on titanium heaters. My search turned up a number of posts of members actually getting ELECTROCUTED by their tanks (distrubingly, the most gruesome of stories were the result of failed RIO powerheads). When I say ELECTROCUTED, one memeber recounted an event where he was PARALYZED for more than 30 seconds with his hands in the tank... and it was only when his legs fatigued and gave out that he fell away from the tank. Now, I certianly don't know if this guy was exaggerating or even remotely telling the truth, but it got me thinking.

Of course, a GFCI is absolutely crucial. I have one. You should, too. But, many members who really seemed to know electricity were describing that without an actual path to ground, the GFCI will not trip. Thus, you could actually take a lamp cord, cut it so there are two bare wires, plug it into a GFCI and drop it right into the tank. If the tank is not grounded, the tank will be "energized" and the GFCI won't trip. As soon as you put your hands in the tank - BOOM.

So, I ask: how many of you are using a grounding probe? I never hear anyone talk about these but after reading all of the posts on RC, I can't believe this isn't the first thing that we tell "newbies" to buy. Maybe I'm the only one without one! Like many others, I thought just having a GFCI was sufficient... this is not true. Many tried to contest this fact, but were shamed by people obviously with tremendous knowledge of electricity and wiring.

For those interested in reading, here is the electrocution thread. Look for a post by cthetoy on the 2nd page.

 

[amixam98]

I"m using one. One day I was getting zapped whenever I put my hands in the tank. Initially I thought it was my pump. Went out, bought another pump and I was still getting zapped. I eventually figured out it was my PC lighting. Now I have it just to be safe. It's only like $10.

 

[NateHanson]

This should be pretty easy to make, right? Cut the hot and neutral prongs off a plug, attach a stainless rod to the other end of the ground wire. Hang it in the tank. Would that do the trick?

 

[montec24]

I use one, a GFI to. For $13 the grounding probe is well worth it.

 

[Matt L.]

I use one too.

 

[Daragon]

I don't use one...

 

[littlep93056]

Funny this comes up , I get zapped a couple of days ago & starting thinking I need grounding probes

 

[JD46]

I use one. Titanium bicycle spokes make great grounding probles.

 

[jmkeary]

I use one have been zapped by a power head and lighting on my old 90. The zap from the light left my hands numb for about an hour and tripped the GFI. THe one from the powerhead just made my hand tingle every time i touched the water in the tank and did not trip the GFI. So when i set up my 72 i made sure i used a GFI and a ground probe no shocks so far

 

[littlep93056]

Looks like everybody should use them

 

[Aquaman_68]

I use one & by the way I have one extra used one for sale I'm no longer using. It cost me 18.00 I'll sell it for 10.00 It's like new & is titanium. Here's a pic below.

 

[NateHanson]

I use one. Titanium bicycle spokes make great grounding probles.

That's a good idea. Is such a spoke something I could buy singly from a bike shop?

 

[littlep93056]

I'll take it ,Brian

 

[jango]

That's a good idea. Is such a spoke something I could buy singly from a bike shop?

Yes most high end bike shop will have them in stock.

 

[joefitz]

Well, I'm not electrician and don't claim to be an expert of any sort whatsoever...but my understanding is as follows:

A grounding probe will provide a mechanism (path) for electrical current in your tank to flow out to a ground. The problem with this, from my very limited understanding, is that it potentially could "hide" a serious malfunction. Electricity would still be flowing between the source (whatever device was malfunctioning) and the probe -- the path of least resistance is the path followed. If your hand or livestock happens to be part of the path of least resistance, you (or your livestock) would still be in trouble.

Even if it turns out that your hand or livestock would never be "in" the path of least resistance (maybe the saltwater always works out to be a better option), you still are left with a situation where the problem exists and you aren't aware of it.

I was tempted to construct and possibly even sell a grounding probe that also contained an indicator to show if any current was actually flowing...I have no idea if any such products exists (I would think so...) but it seems to me that a grounding probe by itself is possibly not the best idea either. I think ideally we would have a grounding probe that also registered/displayed current.

http://www.ecmweb.com/mag/electric_gfcis_work/

That link provides information on how GFCIs work. They are most certainly not failsafe. First of all, some/many/most/all are susceptible to internal failure which may eliminate the protection they are purported to provide. In addition, as I think the example you provided is trying to indicate, if you touch the hot and neutral leads at the same time, even if the device is plugged into a GFI, you are in trouble. But they are essential nonetheless -- just test them regularly!

I'd love to hear from an expert on this stuff to tell us how we should ideally be protecting ourselves and our livestock from electrical shock.

 

[Aquaman_68]

If the grounding probe is hooked up to a GFCI outlet you are protected. Keep in mind the pump or electrical device you want a failsafe with has to be on that designated GFCI outlet. Most problems are related to heaters & rio powerheads mostly. There is a remote chance of others failing & grounding out. I've seen this with people using ozone generators. The ozone makes power cords brittle & the insulation can crack & cause a short.

 

[nigel]

I do and it works great !

 

[JustDavidP]

I HAD a probe in my tank...when I installed the new sump, I forgot about it in the stand and have successfully pinned it into the stand. I have to make a quick mod to the sump. When I do, I'm going to free it and put it back in. I've noticed a big difference in stray current since the probe was removed.

Dave

 

[NateHanson]

Dave, what do you mean when you say

I've noticed a big difference in stray current since the probe was removed.

I would think there should be no stray current in our tanks, with or without a probe. The probe is just there to safely dispose of stray current in case something is broken in the tank.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I have (2), one in the display tank & one in the fuge. At some point I may add one to the sump