H2operator
New User
- Location
- Bryson City NC
- Occupation
- Retired Water Treatment Operator
Here’s my issue, I built a Koi pond a few years ago. It’s approximately 2000 gallons with a long stream, filters etc that are feed by a submersible pump that’s plugged into a working GFCI.It’s a high flow pump with a stainless case. I notice that I had a sick fish with a bent body. I had heard of stray current causing this in the past. I didn’t think I had an electrical problem but recently I reached into the skimmer where the pump is located and reached in through the opening of the skimmer to pick up a leaf, as soon as my elbow touched the water I received an obvious shock.
I have measure the voltage from water to the GFCI neutral and ground at about 5-6 volts.
I contacted the PoCo, they came out and determined that there was significant Neutral to Ground Voltage but was within their acceptance threshold of 10 volts.
So my question is, I can’t install a Equipotential bonding grid under an existing pond but can I somehow bond the water to bring it up to the same potential as the pump casing? I talked to the PoCo engineer and he advised against it saying that the fish are currently isolated and bonding the water would cause current. I disagree because I believe it’s caused the issue with a fish and even when I am well insulated I still receive a shock. I’m pretty sure there is current flowing through the pond when the pump is plugged in.
The pump is a warranty replacement that is brand new. There was a question that there was a fault in the original pump, the same issue exists with the new pump even when the breaker is off.
Thanks for any thoughts, I really need to put my filters online!
Lance
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have measure the voltage from water to the GFCI neutral and ground at about 5-6 volts.
I contacted the PoCo, they came out and determined that there was significant Neutral to Ground Voltage but was within their acceptance threshold of 10 volts.
So my question is, I can’t install a Equipotential bonding grid under an existing pond but can I somehow bond the water to bring it up to the same potential as the pump casing? I talked to the PoCo engineer and he advised against it saying that the fish are currently isolated and bonding the water would cause current. I disagree because I believe it’s caused the issue with a fish and even when I am well insulated I still receive a shock. I’m pretty sure there is current flowing through the pond when the pump is plugged in.
The pump is a warranty replacement that is brand new. There was a question that there was a fault in the original pump, the same issue exists with the new pump even when the breaker is off.
Thanks for any thoughts, I really need to put my filters online!
Lance
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
