GROUNDING PROBES- useful or useless and pros & cons

I think ground probes are fine as long as you are monitoring your tank. I.e. disconnect it and check for current on a regular basis. I think too many people detect a current and rather than finding the cause, add a ground probe and try sweep it under the carpet.. Also, some tanks can have a voltage potential, as a saltwater tank is like a big battery, voltage potentials can be induced, due to interaction with magnetic fields from pumps and lights and such. Really these are just potentials though, as the current only flows if you ad something such as a test probe, or grounding probe. So, by adding a grounding probe, you may be causing a slight current, but your making thing safer for yourself.

 

from what i've read i'd have to agree that if one is to be used you should be testing for voltage probably weekly with your normal maintenance. If you have voltage running through your tank you definitely want to fix it, not just ignore it. Aside from this you MUST have a GFCI outlet! This will not only save your life but it could save your house! Shorts can cause fire just as easily as electrocution and don't need your presence to occur. Particularly dangerous if it happens at night while your whole family is asleep.

 

ok so i have a spare 3pin plug. i connect to the screw which goes into the earthing(grounding) and connect the plug normally into the socket. is that it?

 

Nano,

I made my own, using a 3 prong plug. I put a wire to the 3rd pole, (round her in the US) and left the other 2 blank.

The wire attaches to a piece of Stainless Steel (a left over sailing boat part) and into my sump.

I think that is how you were asking to do it in your post.

 

any pics?

 

upload some pics if possible

 

the probe is named ultralife grounding probe....

 

I am just curious how you detect current flowing through your system...