I have a Problem with Electrical current back feeding through a ground wire?

Question

I have a small electric current coming into my pool light, just enough to feel like a 9 volt battery on your tongue. this occurs even when all power is shut down at the breaker box. Could this be from a tree touching a power line and grounding the current which my pool grounds maybe picking up? or maybe a neighbor grounding a wire with current in it..these wires are all insulated ...what do you think?

LOL, I did not test it with my tongue, I was using that as an examaple of what it felt like to the touch..but thanks for your concern

Answer 1

the pool light should be feed with a s/o type of cord that is sealed at the the light side ( as replacing one involves draining a pool ) and run into via BRASS conduit into a junction box ( brass as well with either a brass or plastic cover ), from there will be a junction where the s/o cord meets the incoming wire ( usually number 12 guage thhn ), from there it should be piped into a another junction box or pool panel into a GFCI or GFCI breaker on the LOAD side. from time to time the GFCI should be tested, if it fails then it should be replaced. This protects you from current leaks and or ground faults.

if your service is an overhead drop and the tree touches it, unless the service wires are nicked and the aluminum core is exposed, nothing will happen ( beside a tree does make a fair decent insulator against electricity since overhead drop are usually limited to single phase 120/240 volt drops ), so that wouldn't happen
you say it's still present with the power turned off at the pool panel box or the main house panel?

Answer 2

It might be galvanic action.
Different metals in ground contact and isolated by the insulation forming a battery.
Do have a pro check it out.
BTW. Electrical testing for current flow with your tongue is DEFINITELY NOT recommended practice.

Answer 3

Your ground is not properly grounded. For any outlet at a pool. Your pool must be grounded around the perimeter, otherwise you will have an open ground---you will fell a shock.
I know of an electrician that know how to correct your problem. contact me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

You have a ground fault... happens a lot around water. HAVE IT CHECKED by a licensed electrician before you kill someone because that kind of problem can be very serious.