How much stray voltage is too much?

[estanoche]

Ok - so I've been doing some conductivity sensor testing, and testing theories, etc.. and decided to test th AC voltage of my tank - current reading is .9v AC (with a calibrated and grounded multi-meter)

How much is too much?

Might as well know what commonly accepted tolerances are, if there are any... less using ground probes.

 

[OldFishMan]

When the GFCI trips -- I know it is too much !

I think the tank would make a little DC and AC with all that saltwater movement.

I could be DEAD wrong !

OFM

 

[DonW]

Its nothing more than induced voltage not movement.

Don

 

[ac7av]

Different meters can detect static voltage at different levels. It’s determined by the sensitivity of the meter. It’s not the voltage that a problem its the currant. Set your meter on the currant setting like 10ma if you have a setting that low or set your meter to the lowest setting that it has and test the water to ground. If you have any currant there that is more of a problem and the voltage. You can get voltage on just about anything that has any conductivity but even 10,000 volts will not kill you its the currant.

 

[ac7av]

Thanks Don
I use to say that in school and the teacher didn’t know what I was talking about. I would always call it static induced voltage. I don’t know if that’s a correct term for it but it sounded good to me and glad to se some one thinks the same way I do about that. I referred to it more when talking about transforms and parallel wires making voltage out of what seemed at the time thin air.

 

[DonW]

Thanks Don
I use to say that in school and the teacher didn’t know what I was talking about. I would always call it static induced voltage. I don’t know if that’s a correct term for it but it sounded good to me and glad to se some one thinks the same way I do about that. I referred to it more when talking about transforms and parallel wires making voltage out of what seemed at the time thin air.

The magic of electricity. Off the subject, I remember a few years ago scientist were using modulated ac current to speed carbonate precip to form reefs at a faster rate.

Don

 

[OldFishMan]

Hey Don --- what exactly is inducing this voltage.

Two metal probes in an electrolyte (saltwater) makes a battery.

I get .027 Volts AC

Now everyone needs to check their tanks so we can come up with a reference voltage and a Theory.

OFM

 

[Scooterman]

If I remember correctly Boomer said anything over 90 VAC is a problem or something in that range, anyway hears a good read.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28219&highlight=induced+voltage

 

[OldFishMan]

Thanks Scooterman --- good to hear from you !

I'll settle for 0.9 VAC

OFM

 

[ac7av]

Hay estanoche
Where are you checking from to what to get this voltage, just the tank water to ground? Have you tried from one side of the tank to the other or tank to sump to see if you have any different voltages?

 

[ac7av]

I just checked form the center of my tank to the ground and I have 16 volts and it fluctuates a little. I also checked the currant and I get .001 I think. This is as low as the meter I have goes and it just flickers on and off the 1.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

lol 90vac you can plug another Piece of equipment in and it will run

 

[lvsuckerfish]

any amount of an amp applied to voltage can kill someone or something you can touch 10000 volts as soon as .001 of an amp is applied you will feel the wrath of Power I forgot most all I learned on Electrical as I barley touched it since the military back in 01 lol

 

[DonW]

Hey Don --- what exactly is inducing this voltage.

Two metal probes in an electrolyte (saltwater) makes a battery.

I get .027 Volts AC

Now everyone needs to check their tanks so we can come up with a reference voltage and a Theory.

OFM

Induced voltage varies by tank and comes from all the electrical motors, lights and other devices in and around your tank. Some tanks will produce nearly 90 volts and others nearly none.
I wouldnt worry about voltage unless there is a noticable problem being diagnosed.

Don

 

[estanoche]

Hay estanoche
Where are you checking from to what to get this voltage, just the tank water to ground? Have you tried from one side of the tank to the other or tank to sump to see if you have any different voltages?

Yeah - I checked all around the tank - the top, the bottom, the sump, the sides, etc. Connected it to my house ground.

Towards the top of the tank, closer to my lights, I get the highest reading (which is typical now after some research as our lights leak voltage)

As I sequentially turned everything off - one by one it would go down say .01 - submersible pumps affect it more than exterior pumps, probes affect it, etc.....

One day I'll have to acquire a ground probe