Electric shock. How it was with me

diver_ua · #1 05/11/2006, 08:14 AM

Two days ago I did some operations in my tank. I stood on the chair when suddently my power fan (220V/16W) has fallen directly into the tank. The fan was connected by digital timer and was shut down in that moment. There was no spark at all.

Instinctively I was threw to get it from water. And then I took hard electric shock through both hands. The hands were shaked, I have seen light-blue flare and then I released the fan and was fallen from the chair on the floor. In short time I've risen and took f***ing fan by the cord.

All animals in the tank have remained are alive. Thanks god.

fgarvine · #2 05/11/2006, 08:23 AM

They will be fine. Thank goodness they dont have to worry about wearing sneakers

Nathan · #3 05/11/2006, 08:58 AM

diver_ua,

You are lucky to be alive! That must have been awful to be shocked like that! I know it gives you great fear to put your hands in your tank again.

I got shocked last week by my 400W Metal Halide ballast output when I was unplugging it! That was a sudden surge of electricity through my finger. After that, I replaced the plug because a wire had come loose. No more shocks!

-Nathan

bkelley02 · #4 05/11/2006, 09:12 AM

Glad you're ok.

Sk8r · #5 05/11/2006, 09:24 AM

The 'everything turns blue' phenom is a real shaker. Did it myself in my youth when I closed an elevator circuit with my bare hand. Watch yourself over the next several days. If you have any period of weakness or pulse irregularity, skipped beats, etc, call your doctor and report the incident.

diver_ua · #6 05/11/2006, 09:41 AM

I had problems with my heart that day. But now I'm ok. Thanks all.

I would like to discuss some protective measures.

AdidaKev · #7 05/11/2006, 09:51 AM

Holy cow, thank goodness you're okay!

Sk8r · #8 05/11/2006, 09:59 AM

There is a kind of fast-trip electrical socket that one uses, say, in bathrooms, the sort that has a red button on it. It is for use where water and electricity may come in contact with each other. It would not have prevented the shock, but it might prevent electrocution.

Anemonebuff · #9 05/11/2006, 10:03 AM

GFCI=Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

Reefugee · #10 05/11/2006, 10:13 AM

Ditto! It's probably one of the cheapest thing you can buy for your tank, and it's the one thing that can save your life. If your fish or corals die, you can start over. If you die, then your wife can start over.

Quote:

Originally posted by Anemonebuff
GFCI=Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

diver_ua · #11 05/11/2006, 10:26 AM

very funny

AdidaKev · #12 05/11/2006, 11:18 AM

Wow, that was kind of uncalled for...even with the "lol" face...

jacmyoung · #13 05/11/2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anemonebuff
GFCI=Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

Add ground probes in all water bodies such as tank and sump. Without ground connection, GFCI may not shut off the power if the current has no place to leak out, rather stay charged in the body of water, you will still be shocked acting as a ground probe and the GFCI will shut off the power at that point.

Nathan · #14 05/11/2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jacmyoung
Add ground probes in all water bodies such as tank and sump. Without ground connection, GFCI may not shut off the power if the current has no place to leak out, rather stay charged in the body of water, you will still be shocked acting as a ground probe and the GFCI will shut off the power at that point.

Do you just put a stainless steel rod in your water somewhere and connect it to ground?

-Nathan

aquaman222 · #15 05/11/2006, 02:52 PM

No, stainless steel rusts. You need a titanium rod.

Had that blue thing happen to me as a kid also. Did you know that a flat tip screw driver fits perfectly into a wall socket? Not a good idea.

blgreef · #16 05/11/2006, 03:05 PM

Sorry chaps only safe way to work on a tank is to remove any sources of power before starting.
You should not rely on GFCI or any form of grounding. They can all help to make a tank safer but should not be relied on to save your life. And if not done correctly grounding a tank can make it more dangerous.

It seems a common response, to electrics shocks, is to ground a tank, but you should understand the risks and benefits and if there are any doubts then its time to talk to a sparky.

As to fans I would favour a DC 12 v fan any day over a mains 110 around a salt water tank. Glad you are ok but i think you were very very lucky.

festus · #17 05/11/2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mn95616
.... If your fish or corals die, you can start over. If you die, then your wife can start over.

Don't give my wife any ideas the insurance policy has double indemnity if its accidental......

Seriously I use GFCI on all outlets in any way related to the tank. Its a very very good idea. Its not 100% perfect but its a lot better than not having it.

I've been shocked a good many times unrelated to aquariums. The most exciting was the 220. I don't really enjoy it much..........

samtheman · #18 05/11/2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jacmyoung
Add ground probes in all water bodies such as tank and sump. Without ground connection, GFCI may not shut off the power if the current has no place to leak out, rather stay charged in the body of water, you will still be shocked acting as a ground probe and the GFCI will shut off the power at that point.

Here we go again. Ground probes are not a safety device and may increase your potential for electrocution. Install GFCI's but not ground probes. Please do not consider Ground probes a safety device. Anyone who says they are may kill you!

physicslord · #19 05/11/2006, 09:05 PM

Grounding Probe = mask of problem

fix the problem, don't hide it

diver_ua · #20 05/12/2006, 08:33 AM

Hi guys!
That's incredible! I know what women want like Mel Gibson!

aiko670 · #21 05/12/2006, 05:06 PM

I have a ground probe in both my tank as well as the sump. I also have everything plugged in to GFCI outlets. I know it's not 100% safe but neither is driving. You just need to do what you can to minimize risks. I'd also swap out that fan for a DC fan.

tibbs2 · #22 05/12/2006, 06:22 PM

I have grounding probes and a GFCI. So I should just remove the probes?

What's the main benefit to having a probe in the tank?

jacmyoung · #23 05/12/2006, 06:35 PM

I also want to know what problems a ground probe will introduce when used with GFCI.

jacmyoung · #24 05/12/2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by physicslord
Grounding Probe = mask of problem

fix the problem, don't hide it

If a ground probe is used along with a GFCI, how would it mask a problem?

I don't think anyone is stupid enough to try to hide any safety hazard.

jacmyoung · #25 05/12/2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tibbs2
I have grounding probes and a GFCI. So I should just remove the probes?

What's the main benefit to having a probe in the tank?

My understanding is a GFCI works by detecting the slightest imbalance between the current flowing out the hot wire and the current flowing back from the neutral wire, and once detected it shuts the power off.

The problem is in the absence of a ground connection, you can be shocked without creating a current imbalance, for example if you stick your finger in between the hot and neutral you may not trip the GFCI but your finger will not look the same. If the current goes through your body somehow because you are grounded, the current imbalance will occur and the GFCI will shut off, protect you from being fried.

They don't put a capital "G" (ground) in the name for nothing. The point is let that probe, not your body be the guinea pig whenever there is a leak, and shuts off the GFCI, before you try to do something about it.