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Possible earthing problems on electrics

Posted by Sarah coates, on
I have been getting shocks from kitchen sink, bathroom shower, x box and toaster. Checked earthing by stop tap and all working and connected fine, no rust, algi etc. Possibly need to test the whole house earth testing, continuity of the circuits, checking resitance insulation etc. is this right thing to be checking?

Alex Donbavand

Hi Sarah I would recommend in this situation that a Electrical installation condition report is carried out. This could be something and nothing but at the same time could develop into something more serious.
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crispin turkentine

crispin turkentine

This sounds like your property has zero earthing - not unheard of but totally unacceptable! Do have a qualified electrician perform EICR, Electrical Installation Condition Report. This will involve checking every part of the system / circuit and identify the problem.
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Robert V Mckenzie

Hi Sarah In my experience this sounds like a main earth fault you need to have a qualified electrician to do a Ze test this will show if your incoming earth connection is ok Regards Bob Mckenzie
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Virgil Anuta

hi Sarah.you need to call an approved electrician and this needs to check: - Ze -main earthing(THEY NEED TO DISCONNECT ANY PARALLEL PATHS) - main bonding to gas and water-CONTINUITY-LONG LEADS METHOD and you need - if is an old installation supplementary bonding is very important-16 edition -rcd for the sockets used to supply mobile equipment not exceeding 32A rating for use outdoor- 16 edition or -locations countaining a bath or shower aditional protection for all low voltage circuits by rcd not exceeding 30 mA-17 edition -all socket-outletsnot exceeding 20A needs rcd-17 edition -for cables concealed in walls or partitions needs rcd 17 edition WE ALSO RECOMMAND TO TEST THE INSTALLATION AND DO A REPORT BY AN APPROVED CONTRACTOR ONLY
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ian golby

Hi Sarah I would have all the circuits tested you must have a fault also you may require a new fuse board fitted with an rcd this will protect against such problems.
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Rory Benons

Rory Benons

Hi Sarah, Looks like have a earth fault,which is why you can feel a shock all around the house,the possibility also exist that there is a build up of static electricity, This needs checking and rectifying as a matter of urgency by a qualified electrician who can test and inspect the property,I'm assuming that your fuse box does not have an RCD Residual current device as this would have picked up any potential earth fault and therefore disconnect the circuit
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Steve Masters

Hi, I would strongly suggest you get a qualified electrician to come and do a full electrical condition report if what you say is correct. They will then be able to tell you why this is happening and be able to rectify the fault. Post the job on Rated People if you do not know someone and three electricians should contact you. Just make sure they are qualified and registered with one of the approved bodies i.e NICEIC etc. Hope this helps.
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Mark Butcher

Mark Butcher

First question I have for you is - do you know if you have any RCD's in your fuse board? Periodic condition report can be carried out on the electrical installation Mark
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Darryl Hoey

Darryl Hoey

Hi Sarah. I agree with most of the other responses and have an Electrician test your circuits in order to find a cause. In the mean time however it could be something even simpler; Static Electricity caused by friction between your floor (Carpet) and your foot ware. Is it just you that is getting these shocks, or everyone else in the household? It could be that you are just charging yourself with a bit of static electricity and every time you come in contact with metal that is earthed, you are discharging yourself. Do you also sometimes get it between people? Shaking hands etc whilst in your house. It is a bit of trial and error finding what is possibly causing this. It could be the Carpet, Lino, Foot ware.
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David Price

Call out a qualified electrician urgently.The fuse board needs replaceing once the fault has been found,As it seems that you dont have dual mcb rcd protection.Do not use any appliances untill you do especially where your in contact with water
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Mark Houldsworth

Mark Houldsworth

Hi Sarah I agree with the previous comments. We once had a job where we were called out as the lady was getting shocks off her sink when she rubbed down her wall. When we checked for a possible voltage between her wall and the sink she was getting over 120v between her wall and her metal sink. It turned out to be a result of her husband had done work on the roof above that leaked, then he had also jointed some electrical wiring with a juction box and sunk it into the wall above her sink, that she was getting a shock off. A case of a D.I.Y. disaster. An experienced electrician should be able to diagnose and identify the cause of the problem quite quickly,
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wayne lewis

wayne lewis

Earthing needs to be checked. Should take a few minutes. You might need to contact your DNO as your earth look might be weak. You might even have a neutrale to earth fault. It really sounds like a weak earth to supplier (ze). Also, water might be earthed, but if there are plastic connection, then certified parts won't be earthed. Hope this helps
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Bogdan Banasiewicz

Bogdan Banasiewicz

You have to check earthing connection and bonding conductor . Best way to do full test and you will sure you living in safe place .
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Ray Brand

Hi Sarah Is there a RCD on the circuits, if not there is potentially a neutral shorting to earth
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Shaune Milburn

Shaune Milburn

hi sarah sounds like you might have no earth at the fuseboard could be broken somewhere if your water and gas are bonded this could be your only means of earth my advise is to get it looked at asap . shaune delta electrical
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Bryan Winn

Bryan Winn

Hi,As Charles rightly said,its a matter of urgency you get the fault rectified,you will need a qualified electrician who is a member of a governing body like niceic or elecsa/napit,hope this helps.
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charles wisdom

Hi Sarah, Frankly you need a qualified electrician who has test and inspect capabilities and most do not. Most 'sparks' can inspect their own installation work and that's it. It sounds like you have Live/Earth fault which is why you can feel a shock all around the house. This needs checking and rectifying as a matter of urgency. I'm assuming that your fuse box does not have an RCD Residual Current Device because that would have picked the fault up and disconnected the live supply. It could be something simple to find and fix or of course it might not. Again do not ignore this it might become a much more serious fault which could be fatal..
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