Voltage

theduker25 · 06-20-2004, 02:43 AM

Ok, I am wondering what the voltage of everyone's tank reads with a voltmeter?
I ihad 65 volts, and installed a grounding probe. Now I am down to 50 volts and my other tank also reads 50 volts without a grounding probe. Does natural seawater have a voltage??

Any expert input on this PLEASE!!??

jesspaul · 06-20-2004, 08:20 AM

Something sounds fishy!

What are you useing as a reference ground? If there was 50V in the tank you would hurt when you touch the water and would trip the GFI when you touch the tank. I would check the meter on a known source and then check the difference b/t AC and DC readings of you mesurements.

Phishnoob · 06-20-2004, 10:31 AM

Seawater is a great conductor but having a voltage depends on having an electrical potential present.

I agree with Jesspaul...let us know how you did the test, the range and what you had the ground probe touching. The ground lead (Black) should go to earth ground or one of the ground lugs in your power strip, or to your grounding probe if installed when it is out of the water then measure AC and DC volts. Make sure that you are not reading mV and thinking it is volts also. Also, before and after you do the test stick the prongs in a wall socket on AC Volts and ensure you are reading 110-120V AC to make sure your meter is working on the right scale. (Don't ever do this on ohms or amps btw or you will fry your meter)

If you do have this voltage reading again after this test then unplug things one at a time until you find a problem, beginning with your heater.

50V AC with salt water ensuring a great connection to your skin with your hand in the tank would get your transthoracic impedance (body resistance) in the 100 ohm range giving .5A through your body if you touched earth ground which could be potentially lethal across your heart.

theduker25 · 06-20-2004, 12:12 PM

Well, I was not using the cocket from the same plug as the rest of the tank is pluged into. I was using a plug that was apparently on a different circuit in my apartment. When I plugged it into the same plug as the aquarium I get 0 volts.
this makes my wonder why I was even getting a voltage at all, if they weren't even on the same circuit.

I had the volt meter set on the 200v A/C. The black wire was touching the ground of the plug, the red wire was touching the water. Is this the correct method?

Phishnoob · 06-20-2004, 12:20 PM

Sounds like you had everything right for the test method and range. It is odd though that the grounds are not all at the same point. They all tie to the same bus bar in your breaker panel. (nerd saying from school was "Ground is ground the world around")

Glad you don't have to wear rubber gloves when you stick the paws in the tank