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Advocating for DC equipment

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by abower, Jun 12, 2015.

  1. Jun 12, 2015 #1
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Hard lesson learned. Moved some equipment around on my Tisbe culture tank. Air pump took a dip, I grabbed the cord a few inches out of water and now my arm hurts. Went right up the cord on the residue and to my hand up about to my shoulder.

    Play safe.
     
  2. Jun 12, 2015 #2
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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  3. Jun 13, 2015 #3
    GoodGreef Clive, IA

    GoodGreef Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    DC equipment has its benefits but amps are amps and what kills you. Voltage and wattage arent the directly important number. In fact one could make an argument AC is safer because the current is less likely to cause you to get "stuck" to it and unable to remove your body part than DC. I'd stick a fork in an electrical outlet before I'd grab both posts on a car battery.
     
  4. Jun 13, 2015 #4
    chromess 01

    chromess 01

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    Had something like this happen recently. Had my hand in the tank and happen to touch the reflector and felt a little buzz. Didnt think much of it until I was shoulder deep and touched it, felt a zap go in my shoulder and come out my foot. Got to looking at my wiring and I never ground my ballasts. But then I looked at my outlets and the majority of my house isnt grounded. Ugh.
     
  5. Jun 13, 2015 #5
    vikubz Cedar Falls

    vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I got popped once but the GFCI kicked out.
     
  6. Jun 14, 2015 #6
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I agree both can kill. I wouldn't grab both posts of a 10Kw generator. However I'd grab the positive post before I'd stick a fork in the skinny slot of a 2500 watt outet.

    DC is far more predictable, Positive to negative. AC only seeks ground.
     
  7. Jun 15, 2015 #7
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    This is actually not true at all, AC cycles past the zero point 120 times/second and that is not for long enough for your muscles to relax enough to release. AC does not throw you, if you grab on to a live conductor while grounded, you won't be able to let go.
     
  8. Jun 15, 2015 #8
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I,m on my 2nd house gut and restore. I've been hit enough across my hand to say that my fingers never let go. The spasm is so fast, your hand isn't going to do a damn thing you want. When I was hit by the air pump. My hand didn't let go of the wire, I took the ***** till it ran out of slack from the outlet. It's the arm that pulls back off the wire. Always been lucky enough I didn't ground out further than my hand.

    I am tho, greatly reconsidering GFCI after that hit from the air pump
     
  9. Jun 15, 2015 #9
    GoodGreef Clive, IA

    GoodGreef Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Yeah it's just been something I've always heard, I guess I will put down my fork now.
     
  10. Jun 15, 2015 #10
    abower Ryan, Ia

    abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
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    Did some digging. They make a GFCI with an alarm.
    I'm going to install these bad boys. If anything trips ill know
     

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