Earthing probe

[icecube]

Can any tell me where I can get an earthing probe from ?

[mark]

Hi

I have made an earth probe out off an old stainless steel fork wraped some wire round it and connected it to the earth on a plug. this works for me and is cheap to make. IME the electrical current takes time to build up and if you put in the probe for a short time each week it will take out the stray current. If you put the end of an electrical screw driver in the tank it will light up if there's current, it did in mine, then when i put in the probe it went, so now i just drip it in every now and then this helps to stop the probe going rusty and affecting the tank.
I think that system 2000 make an earth probe for around £15.

Cheers,

[pavlo]

The above post is not good advice!
The earth probe must be used 24/7. It is not there to remove some mystical gradual build up of charge, it is there to protect you from serious electrical shock if a pump or some other piece of equipment should fail and short circuit. Without a probe You probably form the best route to earth for any stray charge when you touch the water. I know this because I had a 1250 short circuit and it bloody hurts!!.

The most popular diy probe seems to be a titanium bicycle spoke connected to the earth pin of a plug.

HTH

Paul

[simonh]

Paul is correct it must be used 24/7... When you put your hand in an unearthed aquarium you become the quickest way out and the current will flow through you.

Tunze do a nice earthing probe device which emits an alarm tone when current is detected. Without such a feature you could have electrical leakage in the aquarium without ever fixing the problem. It is also designed to alarm before your circuit breaker trips (if you have a circuit breaker on the house).

[MadSi]

Si,

Any idea where these tunze ones are available from? tried the usual online suppliers but none seems to list them...

Cheers

Si

[simonh]

http://www.meeresaquaristik.de sells them. Not sure if they are listed on his online shop. Any Tunze dealer should be able to order one for you.

Fault Current Alarm 7609 - http://www.tunze.com/gb/en-gb/dept_131.html

[Andy Hipkiss]

FWIW MG Marines had a couple in stock. 01384 23579.