Wet/dry vac shocks (EFLI)

[gazdkw82]

Borrowed my neighbours Titan wet and dry vac with a Bosch hand sander. The sander plugs directly into the wet and dry vac by way of a 3 pin plug. when you press the trigger on the sander the vac sucks the dust away (attached with hose to sander)


I noticed I got a few shocks from the sander whilst using it.

I thought I'd try doing a Zs from the outlet point directly on the wet and dry vac but all that did was pulse the vac on and off a few times and then came back as 26ohms.

I ran out of time but I plan to investigate further.

What tests would you recommend? IRT? Earth Continuity?

 

[SparkyChick]

I wouldn't be doing anything with high voltages as you might break the electronics that turn the vac on.

I'd probably satisfy myself with a continuity check using my Megger.

Were they definitely mains originated shocks? Could have been static build up from the dust in the air.

 

[gazdkw82]

I wouldn't be doing anything with high voltages as you might break the electronics that turn the vac on.

I'd probably satisfy myself with a continuity check using my Megger.

Were they definitely mains originated shocks? Could have been static build up from the dust in the air.

Yep, 230v was present at the outlet on the vac.

It's strange because most of the sander feels like plastic. In fact I'm struggling to find any exposed parts.

It almost felt like the hose from the vac was giving me the shock but that felt non metallic too.

 

[SparkyChick]

If my kit wasn't in the van, I'd be going downstairs and checking my Titan

 

[gazdkw82]

If my kit wasn't in the van, I'd be going downstairs and checking my Titan

In your position, I think it's only fair that you go to the van, collect all relevant equipment and fully test your titan, information all trainees of your findings.

 

[SparkyChick]

LOL not a chance of that happening, I've got my comfies on, it's cold outside, I'm inside in the warm and I'm relaxing, but I will do some checks in the morning and if I find it's dodgy I shall be straight down to ScrewFix.

 

[gazdkw82]

LOL not a chance of that happening, I've got my comfies on, it's cold outside, I'm inside in the warm and I'm relaxing, but I will do some checks in the morning and if I find it's dodgy I shall be straight down to ScrewFix.

I question your dedication.

 

[westward10]

If the sander is plastic and double insulated you need to do an insulation resistance test from the pin on the plug and around the casing with the switch on.

 

[gazdkw82]

If the sander is plastic and double insulated you need to do an insulation resistance test from the pin on the plug and around the casing with the switch on.

Pin on the plug?

Which pin?

 

[westward10]

Live and neutral together.

 

[pennychew]

Im sure the static charge from dust extraction is a major concern on the the big units in woodworkers shops. Seem to remember something about them even earthing the solid pvc pipes on long runs.

As the Titan kit is budget range it might not overcome this

 

[pennychew]

The hose on my extractor is even listed as antistatic when I google it..

 

[gazdkw82]

Spoke to my neighbour, he said it does it all the time and it's off the vac hose.

Feels too much for static

 

[FatAlan]

Reckon it’s got to be static. I quite often get quite big kicks just walking on to an escalator and touching the rubber hand belt / rail. You’re probably wearing the wrong shoes

 

[pennychew]

Used to happen to us when we walked through the big shopping centre next to us with the pram. Used to nearly blow your finger off when you pressed the elevator button or touched the wrong handrail

 

[gazdkw82]

Maybe it is then. I've felt static from other things (cars, lifts, handrails etc) this felt different.

 

[Bobster]

In the quarry I worked at, it was the 1st year apprentices job to vacuum the electrical workshop on Friday afternoons.

As you can imagine, a lot of stone dust collects around the place. The vacuum had a metal nozzle. If they forgot to fit the anti static band to it that we had made, you got a hell of a crack from it. It was audible from across the workshop. Needless to say, they only forgot to fit it a couple of times.

The static can easily reach >100k volts.

 

[FatAlan]

Didn’t the great fire of London start due to a static spark from the bakers Henry vacuum cleaner igniting the flour dust?