Ponds

[Cowanjack]

Evening all,

I have recently installed a pond and run the pump back to a socket in the utility room (three pin plug).

However, I have just got a small shock from the water in the pond! I turned off the socket it’s plugged into but can still detect a voltage in the water. I then turned off the RCD for the downstairs sockets and still get a reading from the pond.

I live in a brand new house so any ideas before I call the builders in to investigate would be appreciated!!

 

[buzzlightyear]

I then turned off the RCD for the downstairs sockets and still get a reading from the pond.

Reeds or reading, is the pond on down circuit or tapped of another RCD side, is there two RCD dual.

 

[buzzlightyear]

You say a reading what and how.

 

[MJPD29]

What reading did you get off the pond and how did you get it?

 

[Cowanjack]

What reading did you get off the pond and how did you get it?

Hi, Off the electric test screwdriver. Not sure what the reading was though First time though was unfortunately through a shock

 

[Cowanjack]

Reeds or reading, is the pond on down circuit or tapped of another RCD side, is there two RCD dual.

Hi, no reeds ? like I say the main rcd should turn off all the sockets but I’m still getting a reading in the water of the pond when either the socket or (more worryingly) the rcd is off.

 

[MJPD29]

Hi, Off the electric test screwdriver. Not sure what the reading was though First time though was unfortunately through a shock

Don't trust your neon screwdriver they are incredibly unreliable. If the pump has a 13a plug top on it you should have it PAT tested to start to see if there are any issues with it. Failing that the circuit it is plugged into should be investigated in case there is a broken earth etc. Is the circuit RCD protected?

 

[Cowanjack]

What reading did you get off the pond and how did you get it?

Testing screwdriver, first time was a shock to me, that’s when I turned the socket off but still got a read on the tester. Then turned the RCD off and still got a read. Noting if I unplug of course. Could the earth be live?

 

[MJPD29]

Most importantly I hope you have no pet fish

 

[Cowanjack]

Don't trust your neon screwdriver they are incredibly unreliable. If the pump has a 13a plug top on it you should have it PAT tested to start to see if there are any issues with it. Failing that the circuit it is plugged into should be investigated in case there is a broken earth etc. Is the circuit RCD protected?

Ok, sparky is coming tomorrow to check. Yep the circuit is RCD protected but the fact that I still got a reading even with the RCD turned off...

 

[Cowanjack]

Most importantly I hope you have no pet fish

Exactly!! Literally set it up this afto. Would of been Fish and chips for dinner if I’d not noticed.

 

[MJPD29]

The neon screwdriver is next to useless and belongs in the bin so don't trust the 'reading's it gives. Best bet is to let spark test the circuit it is plugged into and check the pump over

 

[LastManOnline]

Ok, sparky is coming tomorrow to check. Yep the circuit is RCD protected but the fact that I still got a reading even with the RCD turned off...

Is rcd single or doublepole?

 

[LastManOnline]

Ok, sparky is coming tomorrow to check. Yep the circuit is RCD protected but the fact that I still got a reading even with the RCD turned off...

Thinking about this again. If rcd is, doublepole it's almost certainly the case that the electrical issue and the pond pump are unrelated. Could there be other underground supplies in the area?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Or a separate lighting circuit?