Earthing leakage!!??

[mikeup]

Just installed replacement element in fan oven. Decided to deploy never used before "electricians" screwdriver ( A draper cat.II neon bulb type) to my alarm it flashed weakly when i TOUCHED BARE METAL parts of cooker...

to my further alarm it flashed ( again "weakly") when I touched bare metal parts of my CH ( pipes)


?? what is going on - is the screwdriver too sensitive?

DO i HAVE A PROBLEM - Am I going to fry the turkey or bake it!!???

 

[securespark]

Neon drivers are fit for the bin. If you want to check voltages reliably, use a two-pole device.

 

[mikeup]

Neon drivers are fit for the bin. If you want to check voltages reliably, use a two-pole device.

ok... Not liking my tool ( another George Michael quote... )

But not helpful!

Voltage!!??

Showing my ignorance here - I just waNt to know am I going to kill myself - not bothered what voltage I die at...!

I have a meter ( two pole?!) - amp, ohms, volts etc. what current ( voltage?) is safe? ( do I earth it to myself? - as i DID THE NEON SCREWDRIVER?)

 

[Adam_151]

Showing my ignorance here - I just waNt to know am I going to kill myself - not bothered what voltage I die at...!

You must NOT use a Neon screwdriver to prove dead... they are not anywhere near reliable enough

I have a meter ( two pole?!) - amp, ohms, volts etc. what current ( voltage?) is safe? ( do I earth it to myself? - as i DID THE NEON SCREWDRIVER?)

You shouldn't use a multimeter to prove dead either... it has the possibility to select the wrong range (and some of them will cause it go bang when its placed across supply terminals... and NO you must NOT touch any of the probes of any device used to measure voltage while any of them are in contact with the circuit!... thats a sure fire way to get a shock!

 

[mikeup]

OK. I think I get it - Neon driver no good...

My question is:- Does the indication from the neon driver ( weak flashing on contact with metal cooker and central heating pipes) warrant further investigation?

i.e. it seems to indicate a "earth leakage" which is normal up to a point...?

I have not been getting any shocks from taps etc ( at my previous ( older) house I used to get very slight occasional shocks in shower / kitchen sink - indication of a bigger earth leakage...)