[RML] Leaking current

drews at webgate.net
Sun, 26 Jan 1997 10:21:17 -0500

To all those electricians out there I need some enlightenment. I was feeding the
gang this morning and inadvertently dropped my eye-dropper (feeding baby brine)
into one of the tanks. I reached in to retreive and to my unpleasant surprise I
received a SHOCK!! After recovering my composure, it was a small shock
obviously, I reached in with my other hand (I guess one shock wasn't enough!),
and - NOTHING! I noticed that one hand had a cut and the other did not. The hand
with the cut registered the shock while the cut free hand did not.

What's going on here and what should I do? All my electrical components are on
GFI's. I was under the impression that they would detect current leaks and trip
the breaker.
Is this current that I feel only on the hand with the cut dangerous? And why
does the GFI not trip out?
Why exactly do I only get shocked on the cut hand?
Is this current leak harming the fish in any way? In turning on and off the
power supply I don't see the fish reacting in any noticeable way.
I'm guessing one of the heaters is defective but, I have not yet isolated which
one. This whole thing makes me somewhat nervous so, I'd appreciate a quick
reply!

Thanks,

Chris- with his hair standing on end!;-)