Pool light shocking people even when off

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Z

ZeroCool

0
Jan 28, 2016
10
Dallas, TX
My pool light is giving off a minor shock when you get close to it even when it's off. The electricity comes out of the conduit in the ground and goes into a GFCI outlet and then to the pool light switch. I replaced the GFCI recently and it doesn't trip despite the situation with the pool light. The light turns on and works fine. Also, when the pool was drained a few months ago I pulled the light out and didn't feel anything when touching the light. It's just a problem when it's submerged.

What do you guys think the problem might be? My very limited understanding of electrical wiring makes me think that there's a short somewhere and electricity is feeding into the neutral or ground. Could it be something not water tight with the light itself? I don't quite understand why I don't feel any shock when touching the light out of water.

Thanks!
 
It's probably much more complex than a problem with the light. Your pool is supposed to be bonded, which means everything is connected together with a heavy copper wire to prevent electrical shocks. It's likely your pool light is grounded but not bonded and there is a source of voltage elsewhere in your pool. Think of a bird sitting on a power line. They are fine unless they somehow touch the ground, then they are shocked. Same thing in your pool. You are at an elevated voltage in the water until you touch the grounded light and then you feel the voltage.

If the pool is fairly new, you might try contacting your pool builder. Otherwise, try to find an electrician experienced in pool wiring. You may also want to consult your power provider. This is a potentially life-threatening problem and I'd recommend not allowing any swimming until it is resolved.

You can try shutting off the main breaker for your home and checking for the voltage to eliminate the possibility that something in your home or equipment is defective.
 
I agree, at first I wasn't that worried about it because it only happens when are almost touching the light but the pool is getting a lot of use now and it's more likely someone will go near it. I'm going to disconnect it when I get home.

Still, I'd like to have a clear idea of what might be wrong before calling an electrician. The GFCI tests fine using the test button on it. I think it was one of these tamper proof outlets that has to be hooked up correctly or it won't work.
 
JohnT said:
It's probably much more complex than a problem with the light. Your pool is supposed to be bonded, which means everything is connected together with a heavy copper wire to prevent electrical shocks. It's likely your pool light is grounded but not bonded and there is a source of voltage elsewhere in your pool. Think of a bird sitting on a power line. They are fine unless they somehow touch the ground, then they are shocked. Same thing in your pool. You are at an elevated voltage in the water until you touch the grounded light and then you feel the voltage.
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Thanks for the info John. I'm trying to follow what you are saying. Can you give me an example of a source of voltage elsewhere in the pool? The only other thing I could think of is the pool pump but I'm not sure if you are talking about that or something else.

Is the problem more that the pool light is not bonded or that somehow current is getting into the pool?
 
ZeroCool said:
Thanks for the info John. I'm trying to follow what you are saying. Can you give me an example of a source of voltage elsewhere in the pool? The only other thing I could think of is the pool pump but I'm not sure if you are talking about that or something else.
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It could be many things, probably unrelated to the pool. It could even be phone wiring.

Is the problem more that the pool light is not bonded or that somehow current is getting into the pool?
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The problem is both. Bonding should keep you from being shocked, but you don't want the current there either.
 
Even with the light disconnected no one should be in the pool until problem is found. Like stated above the power could be comming from anyware. The pump could have a electrical issue charging the water. The closer u got to the light the closer u came to a grounded source completing the circuit. It's possible u removed a grounding source but the pool could still be energized...
I had a old fridge do that to me
.... could open the door all day with no issue. But as soon as u stepped on the metal joining strip on the floor and tried opening the door it would throw you with one heck of a shock... good way to get your landlords attention
 
ZeroCool said:
My pool light is giving off a minor shock when you get close to it even when it's off. The electricity comes out of the conduit in the ground and goes into a GFCI outlet and then to the pool light switch. I replaced the GFCI recently and it doesn't trip despite the situation with the pool light. The light turns on and works fine. Also, when the pool was drained a few months ago I pulled the light out and didn't feel anything when touching the light. It's just a problem when it's submerged.

What do you guys think the problem might be? My very limited understanding of electrical wiring makes me think that there's a short somewhere and electricity is feeding into the neutral or ground. Could it be something not water tight with the light itself? I don't quite understand why I don't feel any shock when touching the light out of water.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Exactly where are you when this shock is occurring? Are you in the water, standing on the deck touching the water, Etc? This sounds like a classic lack of, or poor, bonding issue to me too. I doubt the light is the source of the problem as the trip current rating of GFCI's is so small. if there truly was any stray current from the light, enough to feel, the GFCI would have tripped. As a couple others have pointed out, there should be a bonding connection to anything conductive around the pool. By your description of the problem, it sounds like this is an in ground pool and I would suspect surrounded by a concrete deck. Hopefully, you can find an electrician who fully understands voltage gradients and potential differentials, and knows how to test for them.

Dan
 

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danpik said:
Exactly where are you when this shock is occurring? Are you in the water, standing on the deck touching the water, Etc?
Click to expand...

It happens when in the water near the light or when standing on the deck and putting your hand in the water near the light. The light is maybe 2 feet under water. You don't feel anything until you get about 6" to a foot of it. Yes, this is an in ground pool surrounded by concrete deck.
 
Hi, did you ever get a definitive diagnosis on this? I’m experiencing the exact same thing. My pool is 10 years old and our spa light stings you when you get close, even when off. My neighbor is a master electrician but I’d like to set him in the right direction as he has no experience with pools.

Thx!
 
Yikes. For something like this, I’d consult an electrician familiar with pools.
 
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