Static shock from light switches even with power off??

[coxyboy]

I was called out to a job today and found something I have never come across before....
when I got to the property the tenant explained what was happening - she was getting what she called a "shock" when ever she turned the lights on upstairs in the two bedrooms and the landing. So I tested to see if there was any voltage at each switch and there wasn't. But sure thing as soon as I touched the switch I got a shock. I would say it was more of a big static shock than a normal voltage shock. So I had a little play around to investigate.

ie removing each switch reterminating and making sure the earths were connected. But still no joy. I turned off the main switch so there was no power to any circuit but I was still getting the static from each switch in both bedrooms and on the landing.

Has any one ever come across this problem before? If so what did you do to solve the problem??

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks

 

[lushers]

Did a ze test and it was more than adequate, I've just finished rewiring the place, it was only when installing a fitting that we noticed/kept getting shocks. there are a couple of those 28w 2d fittings that I've installed, could it be anything todo with the control ballasts within these? will do a wandering lead test tomorrow, thanks for the advice

 

[ferg]

........

 

[telectrix]

get the carpet sprayed to eliminate the static.

 

[UNG]

Had a lad working for me many years ago that could walk up and down a few times then point his finger near the switch and get a spark to jump across to it told one customer the problem was down to the cheap (£4k) carpet he had bought didn't go down well

 

[Engineer54]

Static can build-up in your clothing, it's not all to do with carpets and other floor coverings. Static can be a real bugger to get rid of at times too!!

 

[Thomas123]

Easy way to test if its static.. Touch the switch to discharge, then without moving your feet touch it again, you shouldn't get a shock the second time

 

[rugbyspark]

If you check out the causes of static you will find that you can generate a few K volts just by waving your arms in the air !.

 

[KAS1]

Isn't that why you don't see many Traffic Wardens directing traffic any more as they could just point a finger at a car and sent 1000s of volts shooting out of the end of their finger towards anyone who abused them?

If you check out the causes of static you will find that you can generate a few K volts just by waving your arms in the air !.

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

Well, since the fall of the Empire the Emperor has to work!

Isn't that why you don't see many Traffic Wardens directing traffic any more as they could just point a finger at a car and sent 1000s of volts shooting out of the end of their finger towards anyone who abused them?

 

[oldtimer]

Remember to check what the "victim" is wearing ie tracky top and bottoms

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Static can build-up in your clothing, it's not all to do with carpets and other floor coverings. Static can be a real bugger to get rid of at times too!!

well i guess thats burst that balloon then...

 

[ipf]

well i guess thats burst that balloon then...

Did it stick to your jumper after you rubbed it arty:

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Did it stick to your jumper after you rubbed it arty:

no...it popped before i got the chance....
is that what they call `bursting the bubble`?

 

[jamie-spark]

I was changing emg lights in a residential home a few months back . i was getting a healthy sock when pressing the down button on the lift. So I walked about scuffing my shoes on the floor then holding a 8w lamp touched the lift and the lamp lit every time. Made us all chuckle

 

[dmxtothemax]

The most likely explanation is that they are buildig a static charge,
then they touch some thing that is earthed ( metal switch plate )
and thus receive a tingle.
The solution is to change the metal switshs to plastic
so no more earthing thru switch plate.
Or change the carpet !