Electric Shock In The Shower

[abneyelec]

Hi,

My brother complained that he had got a "mild" electric shock from the shower control and also from the heated towel rail. I went to his house today and tested the earth loop at the shower, the towel rail, the bath taps, literally every bit of exposed metal in the bathroom and it all tested fine, less than an ohm. I also checked to see if there was any voltage (difference in potential) between the metalwork and neutral and also to the earth on the sockets, again no problem here. I then cross bonded the pipework in the garage where all 5 pipes run next to each other.

He has rung tonight and said that he got a shock again, but only when the shower was "on" by the way it isn't an electric shower and there is no shower pump. I have to admit that I am a bit stuck with this one and would like some advice.
Cheers
Paul

 

[snowhead]

Has this recently started?
Has any work been done in the house plumbing or electrics?

Has he changed the flooring in the area where the shower is or bedroom or any area leading to the shower?

Is the shower enclosed by a curtain?

Has he changed his type / style of clothing recently?

How is the water heated, gas boiler, combi gas or immersion?

Have you thought of testing with the shower running?

 

[sparks1973]

so is it on a combi...or immersion heater?..

 

[sparks1973]

sorry snow...just noticed #2

 

[snowhead]

When I said testing whilst shower running I didn't mean the O.P to do I.R testing whilst actually in the shower..

 

[sparks1973]

well we still don`t know if its a combi...or immersion do we...lol..

 

[snowhead]

Maybe I posted the warning / correction too late..

 

[sparks1973]

Has he changed his type / style of clothing recently?

fashion police?

 

[bwm730]

Had a similar fault recently and after plenty of investigation found the inside of the stud wall was live. The wall was made with foil backed plasterboard and when the bathroom was built a plasterboard fixing screw went through the plasterboard foil and into the live supply wire to the main feed. Strange thing was that this bathroom was installed and tiled 10 years ago.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Give him a pair of rubber gloves haha let us no what it is

 

[Farmelectrics]

Why did it not trip the rcd it is on an rcd isn't it

 

[oldtimer]

In this situation get a wander lead or extension plug it in to the nearest socket then plug in a R1-R2 test plug into it and make sure it has a good earth the make sure the socket is switched off so you now have a good reference point for your test meter . Then test between the lead and the towel rail with shower on and off and yep no need to strip off to do this lol

 

[richy3333]

In this situation get a wander lead or extension plug it in to the nearest socket then plug in a R1-R2 test plug into it and make sure it has a good earth the make sure the socket is switched off so you now have a good reference point for your test meter . Then test between the lead and the towel rail with shower on and off and yep no need to strip off to do this lol

I heard that you DO have to strip off to get proper readings. Don't you also have to insert a 17th Ed chicken feather into your anoose for the test to be reliable?

 

[Plonker 3]

Is the water bonded?

 

[Farmelectrics]

Diiib you would of thought that would have been one of the first things he checked hope so anyway

 

[Plonker 3]

Never assume anything, always ask as it could be that simple.

 

[snowhead]

Why did it not trip the rcd it is on an rcd isn't it

29.999 ma really hurts, it's more than a mild shock.

I'm favouring static.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Yes your right

 

[Sparky Ninja]

I had similar to this last year on an insurance repair.

The bathroom guy had replaced the original plastic handrail for a new metal one and started receiving 'light shocks' when touching it while grouting (using the shower).

All earthing and bonding was satisfactory, light circuit had no cpc.

I took a long wander lead from the db, connected to earth, and just touched everything in the bathroom with the other end. Turned out the handrail was at 230V. The shocks were light as the guy wasn't in direct contact to earth himself.

In the end I disconnected the switch drop to the boys bedroom the other side of the wall and the fault had gone, it was crushed 10 or so years ago when it was moved and part of the wall has been live ever since.

 

[stidge]

I had similar thing mate, had fitted new cu , rcds etc , took me ages to find but they had overboarded downstairs kitchen and plasterer had screwed board , just nicked live which made above wall ( shower ) live at about 80 v when wet and shower on but didn't trip rcd( still don't know why) hope this helps !!!