shocks off pipework...

[sythai]

Had a call tonight from landlord I know... tenant has been getting shocks off the pipework!!

Going to pop along tommorrow to check it all out.

Heard of this before, but never come across situation myself.

Obviously going to check out all the bonding, any other pointers of would could cause this, what to look for, where to test etc ?

Many Thanks,

Sy

 

[Guest123]

I would say an earth fault coupled with a high Ze and/or absence of any form of RCD protection.

You havde to identify the faulty circuit(s) as a start and adress any other issues as you go.

 

[davelerave]

maybe 'TT' with a bad rod or 'main rcd' problem - and an earth fault

 

[davelerave]

ya isolate faulty circuit first -phase tester will do

for TT check main bond,ze ,main rcd

for tn-c-s could be bonding or supply neutral(unlikely)

(as well as the earth-fault obviously)

not familiar with tn-s

 

[mogga]

also check things like Any work done in the house if fault has recently started like shelves Mirrors pictures being put up floor boards bein lifted n put down trapping cable GOOD LUCK

 

[mechelec]

Isolate supply and check continuity from MET to bonded metalwork and pipes that have been giving "shocks" if this is OK most likely is a neutral fault on the suppliers side on a tncs system. With appliance switched on neutral return is back to the cutout and then through the consumers bonded metal work ( which would have to be high impedence).

 

[sythai]

Well just got back...

For starters there was no main earth !!

Tried to get a ZE, but got some dodgy readings >55v and showing n-e. Old TT system.

Took all the fuses out and switched off, landlord is having to sort something out for tenants. One of tenants said they have been getting shocks for over a month and sometimes from the bath water So why did they only leave it until now to tell the landlord, crazy !! That place is a death trap.... sketchy original wall heaters in kitchen and bathroom, acient towel rail with wires hanging out in bathroom, the list goes on. And they've got 2 young kids in there. Also the old wylex CU is located outside the back door in a porch, but fully exposed to elements... all the fuses and screws were rusted in !

Another thing I noticed was the meter had been changed in FEB this year, surely they have to check for an earth! Or are they just a bunch of muppets on a price that are not actually proper sparkies ?

Whilst had cover off did a quick IR test L+N to E , on all the circuits to try and locate the internal fault/s. Ring, cooker and 2 x lighting circuits all these had less than 2m(Ohms).

Landlord is going to call local supplier and get put onto PME, should be ok flat upstairs has it. If they cant do this pretty soon will put an earth stake in, do CU change and find these faults.

So that it really, thanks for your advice anyway,

Sy

 

[Guest123]

Sounds like some serious remedial works needed there.

 

[sythai]

Yes think so.... whole place could do with a rewire really.

 

[mechelec]

Well just got back...

For starters there was no main earth !!

Tried to get a ZE, but got some dodgy readings >55v and showing n-e. Old TT system.


Another thing I noticed was the meter had been changed in FEB this year, surely they have to check for an earth! Or are they just a bunch of muppets on a price that are not actually proper sparkies ?
Landlord is going to call local supplier and get put onto PME,



FYI DNO has no responsibility to supply an earth so if said meter readers came and fitted new meter and saw it was the customers own earth (TT) that is not their problem.
DNO has got a responsibility to maintain an earth that they supply so high Ze on T-N-S or T-N-C-S systems call them to rectify

 

[sythai]

Yeah your right earth is not responsibilty of DNO... but just thought it might have been common sense for them to check and maybe let customer know, or maybe not ?

 

[Guest123]

You'll find most dont give a rats hoop about wether or not the customer has an earth if it's not down to them to maintain it.

 

[mechelec]

You'll find most dont give a rats hoop about wether or not the customer has an earth if it's not down to them to maintain it.

Exactly

 

[johnboy6083]

it is the responsibility of the DNO not to supply electricity to a premises where the electrical instalation is unsafe. this comes under the electricity supply and continuity regs i believe. meter fitters however do not have the knowledge or eqt to take earth loop impedance readings. my mate is one of only 2 electrically qualified meter fitters for british gas in the south east. out of about 30.

 

[mechelec]

Yes but as far as the DNO is concerned the consumer is responsible for their own earth in a TT system and are threfore not responsible for checking or testing its integrity