Fire Hazzard???? - Grow Room Safety - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

reservationlabs · 10-30-2012, 03:46 AM

Okay, I have never been the guy that sets up my wiring in my grows. When I was running 8, 10, 12 1,000 Watters I had and Electrician that I trusted at the time run all the wiring and breaker boxes.

So now my life is way different then that and I am running the type of Wattage that most use strictly for Vegging.

So here is my problem. I hooked up my T-5 and a little 400 Watt HPS light and when I was raising up my bare arm touched the hood of my 400 Watt HPS and at first I thought I got poked by something. I touched it with my hand and nothing. So I touch it with my arm and I get a small tingle like that of if you stick your Tongue to a 9volt battery.

I touch the chains that are holding up the T-5 and the chains that are holding up the 400 Watt HPS with my hands and nothing I touch them with my arms and I get the same small tingle that I get when I am touching the hood.

So should I be worried? Is this an issue? Anyone have this same issue before?

Thank You and many blessings.

10-30-2012, 04:54 PM

I would be worried because it indicates an open circuit/current. You're becoming ground, which is why you feel the tingle, and that's not right in my world. I mean, I became very accustomed to it working with aquaria and in large fishrooms, but I also know what kinds of zaps it can lead to, and they ain't pretty and you're not a nice person after it's happened.

I think something's wrong, probably am not explaining it well, but I do not believe what you're experiencing is a good condition or safe. This post serves as better bump than anything else.

reservationlabs · 10-30-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaMaiden

I would be worried because it indicates an open circuit/current. You're becoming ground, which is why you feel the tingle, and that's not right in my world. I mean, I became very accustomed to it working with aquaria and in large fishrooms, but I also know what kinds of zaps it can lead to, and they ain't pretty and you're not a nice person after it's happened.

I think something's wrong, probably am not explaining it well, but I do not believe what you're experiencing is a good condition or safe. This post serves as better bump than anything else.

Thank You. Your post is very helpful and I am going to go work on the wiring.

Many blessings.

LeeROI · 10-31-2012, 01:24 AM

The cable leading from the ballast to the hood--are there three wires (conductors)?

reservationlabs · 10-31-2012, 03:20 AM

So I ran the Power Cord from the 400 Watt HPS, the Power Cord from the T-5 and the Surge Protector Cord all parallel to one another with a half inch space between them, then I bent them at a 45 elbow and into the Timer.

No more shock. Nothing. Not even a tiny bit. Any ideas?

10-31-2012, 04:01 PM

No idea, but I'm hoping rives will offer some input.

reservationlabs · 11-01-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaMaiden

No idea, but I'm hoping rives will offer some input.

Rives has been helping me out. He knows his stuff. I am just not a good student when it comes to Electrical. Lol

11-01-2012, 04:00 PM

Ha! I know I've done it wrong when I get zapped. Problem is, I've gotten to kinda liking the zapping, and that just ain't right.

Your post reminded me of my first marine aquarium and my introduction into open currents. I was doing a water change, and I just happened to brush up against the microwave. It was more than just a little tingly! Powerhead was the source of the current. At this point I can't even remember how many times I've been nailed working in an aquarium, had a light fixture go down, heater break (now THOSE hurt, they give you the full power zap), powerhead not grounded properly, all kinds of stuff. I'm still here, but your post caught my attention because I've only experienced this stuff working around fishtanks, not my grow room/area. I'd like to know for sure what the issue is.

lemonade · 11-03-2012, 08:00 PM

Sounds like something is not grounded properly. Make sure the ballast housing is grounded, and shade is grounded. Ground wire is usually bare copper or green. There should be 3 wires going from your ballast to your shade. Two wires power the light and one should be just connected to bare metal on the shade it. If that doesn't do it open up your receptacle and make sure the ground wire is connected. it could also be broken in the wire somewhere down the circuit or even disconnected at the panel.

LOL I helped water a friends 20kw veg room once and the fking mylar would give ya a little zap if you brushed against it haha.

reservationlabs · 11-03-2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonade

LOL I helped water a friends 20kw veg room once and the fking mylar would give ya a little zap if you brushed against it haha.

That part just had me cracking up. Ha ha ha ha.

I am going to take some pics for rives in a few minutes. We think we may know what it is.

10-30-2012, 03:46 AM	#1
reservationlabs Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,871	Fire Hazzard???? Okay, I have never been the guy that sets up my wiring in my grows. When I was running 8, 10, 12 1,000 Watters I had and Electrician that I trusted at the time run all the wiring and breaker boxes. So now my life is way different then that and I am running the type of Wattage that most use strictly for Vegging. So here is my problem. I hooked up my T-5 and a little 400 Watt HPS light and when I was raising up my bare arm touched the hood of my 400 Watt HPS and at first I thought I got poked by something. I touched it with my hand and nothing. So I touch it with my arm and I get a small tingle like that of if you stick your Tongue to a 9volt battery. I touch the chains that are holding up the T-5 and the chains that are holding up the 400 Watt HPS with my hands and nothing I touch them with my arms and I get the same small tingle that I get when I am touching the hood. So should I be worried? Is this an issue? Anyone have this same issue before? Thank You and many blessings. __________________ Strains working with: "PURE" Thai (this project is on hold. Flowering time is way too long. Flowering time is 20 weeks.) Grape Skunk (I am going to work a lot with this.) Trainwreck Hindu Kush '91 ChemDog (Nevada) Also creating many brand new Strains: NORTHERN DREAMS IBL Arizona Iced Tea Sugar Cane Kush Jackson's GIFT 1978 Pomo's Pride and more.
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10-31-2012, 03:20 AM	#5
reservationlabs Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,871	Update... So I ran the Power Cord from the 400 Watt HPS, the Power Cord from the T-5 and the Surge Protector Cord all parallel to one another with a half inch space between them, then I bent them at a 45 elbow and into the Timer. No more shock. Nothing. Not even a tiny bit. Any ideas? __________________ Strains working with: "PURE" Thai (this project is on hold. Flowering time is way too long. Flowering time is 20 weeks.) Grape Skunk (I am going to work a lot with this.) Trainwreck Hindu Kush '91 ChemDog (Nevada) Also creating many brand new Strains: NORTHERN DREAMS IBL Arizona Iced Tea Sugar Cane Kush Jackson's GIFT 1978 Pomo's Pride and more.
	Quote

11-03-2012, 08:00 PM	#9
lemonade Title on BackOrder Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zibal, Eridanus Posts: 306	Sounds like something is not grounded properly. Make sure the ballast housing is grounded, and shade is grounded. Ground wire is usually bare copper or green. There should be 3 wires going from your ballast to your shade. Two wires power the light and one should be just connected to bare metal on the shade it. If that doesn't do it open up your receptacle and make sure the ground wire is connected. it could also be broken in the wire somewhere down the circuit or even disconnected at the panel. LOL I helped water a friends 20kw veg room once and the fking mylar would give ya a little zap if you brushed against it haha. __________________ Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - Bill Watterson
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10-30-2012, 04:54 PM	#2
SeaMaiden Guest Posts: n/a	I would be worried because it indicates an open circuit/current. You're becoming ground, which is why you feel the tingle, and that's not right in my world. I mean, I became very accustomed to it working with aquaria and in large fishrooms, but I also know what kinds of zaps it can lead to, and they ain't pretty and you're not a nice person after it's happened. I think something's wrong, probably am not explaining it well, but I do not believe what you're experiencing is a good condition or safe. This post serves as better bump than anything else.
	Quote

10-31-2012, 01:24 AM	#4
LeeROI Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 433	The cable leading from the ballast to the hood--are there three wires (conductors)?
	Quote

10-31-2012, 04:01 PM	#6
SeaMaiden Guest Posts: n/a	No idea, but I'm hoping rives will offer some input.
	Quote

11-01-2012, 04:00 PM	#8
SeaMaiden Guest Posts: n/a	Ha! I know I've done it wrong when I get zapped. Problem is, I've gotten to kinda liking the zapping, and that just ain't right. Your post reminded me of my first marine aquarium and my introduction into open currents. I was doing a water change, and I just happened to brush up against the microwave. It was more than just a little tingly! Powerhead was the source of the current. At this point I can't even remember how many times I've been nailed working in an aquarium, had a light fixture go down, heater break (now THOSE hurt, they give you the full power zap), powerhead not grounded properly, all kinds of stuff. I'm still here, but your post caught my attention because I've only experienced this stuff working around fishtanks, not my grow room/area. I'd like to know for sure what the issue is.
	Quote