tank water is 12v ???

[low]

Hi,

Can any expert please help to answer my query.

I have 3 tank using ehiem filter and rena filter except one tank without heater.

I tested the tanks' water with a electricity test pen and the result show is 12v.

IS this normal ?

[tawauboy]

no expert.
there could be some electricity leakage somewhere. try switching off individual electrical device to pinpoint the 'leaking' culprit.
anyway, 12v is okay. you'll experience 'shock' when voltage goes above ~40v.

[vinz]

Actually, to be really safe, switch of all and test with only one device on at a time. Even if you find one culprit, you should still test the other devices... on the remote chance that more then one of them is leaking.

[tawauboy]

[quote:665f1b93a1="low"]Hi,

I tested the tanks' water with a electricity test pen and the result show is 12v.

[/quote:665f1b93a1]

a test pen lights up when there is electricity.
so how do you know there is 12v?
using a multimeter?

[low]

[quote:d9ec853afc="tawauboy"][quote:d9ec853afc="low"]Hi,

I tested the tanks' water with a electricity test pen and the result show is 12v.

[/quote:d9ec853afc]

a test pen lights up when there is electricity.
so how do you know there is 12v?
using a multimeter?[/quote:d9ec853afc]

You can buy at Sim Lim, range from S$7.00 to S$15.00. The test pen will show the voltage range from 12v to 240v and the ember light when reach 36v and above.

by the way, we have single out the 12V is from filter and my friend tank water is tested with 36v due to the FL light also leaking.........

scary..................

[sherchoo]

I don't think this type of test pen is that accurate..... if you have a multimeter and you measure the water to ground, that would your actual voltage. Leakage is a common problem with tanks as insulation is never 100% therefore slight leakage is acceptable.

My advise is...... Never never trust test pen!

[tawauboy]

[quote:aabc371b6b="sherchoo"]

My advise is...... Never never trust test pen![/quote:aabc371b6b]

if test pen lights up, even dimly, trust it.
if it doesn't light up, don't trust it.
it more like 'yes' and 'probably no' kind of instrument.

measurement from a multimeter will be accurate. use one if possible.

[JAGER]

The problem which you decribed is normal effect, do not be alarm The reason are magnetic or electrostatic fileds. These fields are a result of the coil inside the motor when the pump/pump head start running. For example, the control gear inside a lamp frame.

The voltage which you measure is not dangerous, the voltage has a high impedence state, you can only measure it, if the measuring instrument has a high internal resistance.

If you connect a incandescent lamp from the water to the ground, you cannot measure any voltage because the resistance is too little.

The 12V which you mesure is passive and will not harm any fishes or cuase damage to any submersible equipment.