Question from Voltimum user: We have a job that when standing in the water touching the aluminum platform we get tingles The platform has a IP56 unit GPO and weather proof light with a RCD mounted in this unit all sealed. The platform is aluminum mounted on rubber floats with aluminum plank to land, bonded to platform also wires anchored to land with turnbuckles. With all power switched off we found 2 to 3volts from water to platform. This circuit has a RCD at main switch board protecting it Both RCDs are 30ma type Have you any suggestions how we can stop the tingles?
Answer provided by Ian Richardson, Senior Product Engineer at ABB Australia.
To see a potential difference to the aluminium platform would seem to indicate there is a small leakage current from some device.
This leakage could be normal depending upon the device however it is clearly not large enough to operate the RCD nor create a hazard.
It is unusual to detect a 2-3 volt differential however that would depend upon the circumstances.
An earth clamp or some reliable method of ensuring the platform is at an equipotential to the earth of the mainland could stop the "tingles".
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