ground probe

im now curious about ground probes. tonight i had a MJ1200 that decided it was going to zap me. generally i used this pump for a mix pump in my rubbermade container that i use for mixing saltwater.

this made me question what would happen if one of the maxi-jets in the display tank started to leak stray voltage somehow. a ground probe would protect the livestock right? thats what i believe its intent is. im not sure i understand how they work.

 

There are many posts explaining the benefit and risk of not running a ground probe...to your point, you are correct, the probe is intended to bleed off any leaking voltage/current back to your house ground and thus protect you and your tank mates.

They are not expensive and plug directly into a normal outlet...if you are living in an older home, it would be prudent to confirm that the ground plug of the outlet you choose to use is actual working to ground...it's a simple check with a multimeter you or an electrician can do.

 

im glad you brought this ground probe subject up. i have been thinking this is a good idea on the new tank.
i live in a older home and most my outlets are 2 prongs. i have put the 3 prongs in but still there is really no ground. it was tested with a meter ... but the out lets with the saftey outlets GFI-type ... the ones that trip that are put near water. show as being grounded. even though they are not hooked to a ground line. will the probe work on one of the saftey outlets GFI-type . or is there another way to ground it.

 

i tested the electrical last night. (my fathers a plumber/electrician so i had the right tools) all the grounds are good. the MJ1200 is definitely shocking water so i threw it away. going to pickup another today and perhaps a ground probe to make sure if this happens again it doesnt cause my tank any issue.

the problem then becomes knowing when a pump is old/degrading and leaking voltage somehow. with the probe in place you wont ever get 'shocked' by touching the water. i guess ill just add a periodic 6 month check for stray voltage or something, and disconnect the grounding-probe for a couple minutes and test the water.

 

It would be good if someone were to run a test, but the theory is that the GFI senses the leakage from supply to ground and opens the supply to provide protection...

If the GFI is properly installed to the house ground, then any thing plugged into it is protected...

Now plug a power strip (PS) into the GFI, plug the tank into the PS, including the ground probe... then any leakage from items powered by the GIF and bleeding back through the ground probe SHOULD open the GFI to protect...as this would be the completion of the circuit...

This is how my equipment room is wired, 2 GIFs (one for 'wet' items and the other for dry), the ground probe is plugged into the circuit for the wet items...

...but since the 'wet' GFI has never opened...I will only go so far as to say that I should be protected...trusted but not proven...

 

by gfi being opened you mean kicked the power off? as they do?

 

Correct...