Grounding of your tanks

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Subaman, Jan 2, 2016.

  1. Subaman

    Subaman

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    I have read a few articles with various opinions on the grounding of your tank in order to prevent electrocution.

    Some of these articles became quite long winded, and difficult to understand.

    Can someone who really knows about this explain how this should be done?

    Do you ground, or do you rather switch off power before working in the tank?
    If switching off, how do you prevent accidents if someone else unknowingly puts their hand in the tank?

    Thanks.
     
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  3. andries

    andries

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    After a few shocking experiences I took a piece of electric earth wire, available at all hardware stores, bend it so that it's about 5 cm in the water and the other end I fixed it to the plugs earth prong. So far, so good. HTH.
     
  4. f-fish

    f-fish #unspecified

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    Hope this is not naked copper ...

    Later Ferdie
     
  5. Broder

    Broder

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    There is only one safe way of preventing accidents and that is to remove and discard pumps or power heads that are "leaking" current. Anything else is asking for tragedy. There are cases where people have died from not being cautious enough. 3 or 4 years back, a MASA member sadly paid the ultimate price. You do not want to mess with electricity and water.

    As Androes has explained, you can ground your tank with a submersed titanium rod, or stainless steel wire connected to the earth prong on an electrical outlet. I do this as well, but it's really not ideal.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2016
  6. JCL

    JCL

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    As stated by @Broder, use a stainless steel or titanium rod to earth your tank. Make sure that your earth leakage relay in your distribution box works properly.
    In case of a current leakage into your tank, the earth leakage relay will cut the power to the socket.
    As an additional precaution you can wear rubber sole shoes or even better, cut the supply to all your tank's equipment when performing maintenance or rescaping.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  7. OP
    Subaman

    Subaman

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    I'm thinking of wiring the whole setup, so that all heaters and pumps can be switched off, whilst still having the lights on.
    Thanks for the input, really appreciated.
     
  8. Broder

    Broder

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    Heaters are the worst culprits in my experience. I would never put my hand in a tank with a live one.
     
  9. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I don't know much about this.
    But is each electrical item (heater etc) not individually earthed via the plug?
     
  10. OP
    Subaman

    Subaman

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    Nope, they only have live and neutral.
     

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