Shocks from wet cutter......

[merlecollins]

Not sure if anyone can help out here?

On Friday, when I was cutting with my DeWalt D24000 wet cutting machine I was getting electric shocks when touching any of the metal parts with wet hands . Not massive belts, I hasten to add, but definite surges and jumps like when you lick the end of a square battery

It was awful, but I persevered with the thought that it might have got dampness in somewhere and it would dry out over night

Went back in yesterday and the exact same thing was happening . I put some vinyl gloves on and it stopped (obviously) but I was still catching it if I hit the metal with my elbow or arm

Now this machine is only about 6 weeks or so old, so I'm hoping it's not that Could it have something to do with the electrical system in the house as it's still a building site??

The joiner got a bit of a jump off the tube off the metal hoover pipe on Friday as well, but we put that down to static......

The house i'm working in is a brand new build, but I assume we're working from a temporary supply as it's a single fused trip switch and not a multi fuse distribution board.

I would be extremely grateful of any assistance in this matter as I've got to go back in the morning and don't really want to go up in a blue flash if I can avoid it

 

[Sintra]

Get the spark to check the operation of the RCD ASAP and check Ze, Zs etc as it might not be coincidence that you were both recieving shocks in the same property.

It is a possibility that the RCD is defective and needs to be replaced.

 

[alarm man]

id stop using any equipment right away,get the spark to check it out,as you say he's a top man but more than likely somethings happend he doesnt know about,little shocks now,what happens if the shocks get worse..needs sorting asap

be safe..

 

[merlecollins]

Get the spark to check the operation of the RCD ASAP and check Ze, Zs etc as it might not be coincidence that you were both recieving shocks in the same property.

It is a possibility that the RCD is defective and needs to be replaced.

Cheers mate
Whats Ze and z's Sintra?

If the RCD was defective would I not be getting blown across the room??

 

[Sintra]

Cheers mate
Whats Ze and z's Sintra?

If the RCD was defective would I not be getting blown across the room??

Ze & Zs are the earth loop impedance readings basically lets you know if the installation has a good earthing system or not.

As for getting blown across the room the RCD should protect you but if it is defective then you are relying on the main earthing system to protect you. If this is not adequate then you may recieve some voltage to earth without disconnecting a protective device.

 

[eskimo39]

If you look at an old post of mine you will see that a customer of mine had a problem where his wife was getting shocks of the sink and washing machine. When I went around to test I was getting around 100v between the sink and neutral.

After a bit of searching I found a live conductor had come out of the back of a socket and was touching the galvanized back box effectively making earth live throughout. And for some reason it wasn't tripping the MCB.

I upgraded earthing, bonding & replaced the MCB - Re tested and everything was fine.

Why not ask the sparky if he can put his tester on the exposed metal of your Dewalt and test across the sites circuits?

 

[merlecollins]

Cheers Eskimo39

I've got the lads number but don't want to come across as dramatic and a moan Certainly don't want him to think I'm picking holes in his work

 

[eskimo39]

Honestly mate, any real electrician would rather double check their work and find it to be o.k, than have anything happen because it wasn't. Give him a bell and explain, tell him about the chippy and I am sure he will want to come double check to ease his own mind more than anything.

 

[Sintra]

Agree 100% sure they will want to check it out.

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Maybe ask the spark to PAT check your dewalt as your are getting shocks, if all is okay, which probably might be, his own curiosity may check the socket, especially when you mention the hoover shocks also.

 

[merlecollins]

I'll make a point of telling the builder in the morning - let him ring the spark. Probably more his place to do that than mine.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Maybe ask the spark to PAT check your dewalt as your are getting shocks, if all is okay, which probably might be, his own curiosity may check the socket, especially when you mention the hoover shocks also.

Was working my way through the pages wondering why no one mentioned PAT earlier. Get someone to stick it on a load test and measure the touch current.........

 

[merlecollins]

Can an everyday spark do that??

What I mean is do they need any special PAT testing equipment?

 

[Graeme Harrold]

If they have the kit then yes. Worst case is to run the machine and use a DMM on the current setting and test between the cutter body and an accessable earth pin........

 

[alarm man]

I'll make a point of telling the builder in the morning - let him ring the spark. Probably more his place to do that than mine.

he wont,unless you tell him no electrical check,no work...

 

[merlecollins]

unless you tell him no electrical check,no work.

Sod that, you haven't seen the size of him I'll get him to stick his wet hands on my cutter first