Shower shock

Saihan · 29 Apr 2016

Hi all,

I've had a new 8.5kw shower installed recently and the water seems to be passing an electrical current which I checked with a diy voltage tester and its bleeping, I've isolated the shower and the shower isn't in use. We have another shower installed years ago which is working fine did the same test on the water no bleeping whatsoever.
Any ideas what it could be? I have a new consumer unit fitted with dual rcds.
Could it be a faulty shower unit or something more?
I've read it could be a bonding issue but if it was wouldn't the other shower have the same issue too?

Thanks

EFLImpudence · 29 Apr 2016

First of all, check the earth.
If you have a meter, you can check that the CPC (earth wire) is actually connecting from the shower to the Main Earthing Terminal.

If not, check the connections at the shower, the switch, consumer unit and any other connections.

If you can't do this, you need an electrician.

Jackrae · 29 Apr 2016

If you have concerns get it checked out - DIY on shower electrics is not the way to go

Taylortwocities · 29 Apr 2016

If its one of those no contact mains testers then they will bleep at anything. But you must get it checked out. Do not use it until you do.

Is there an RCD protecting the shower circuit?

stardanny · 29 Apr 2016

Get the installer back and sort out.

Daniel.

ban-all-sheds · 30 Apr 2016

Saihan · 30 Apr 2016

Thanks for the replies, I have had an electrician come do some tests all were showing fine. He will come back do an earth resistance test on Monday as he didn't have the time. He even used his voltage pen on the water and it bleeps he was puzzled too.
After he left I tested the water in the tap it too was bleeping with my voltage tester tip under it. I tried the same test on our kitchen sink and the basin on the ground floor it didn't bleep at all. It's only the first and the second floor water that seems to be the issue. I connected the tester to the pipes but got nothing, when I ran the water and put the tester under it and it started bleeping i also placed my hand under the same flow of water which stopped bleeping, then moved my hands and it starts bleeping again.

Is there static in the water causing it? ive got earth bonding on my pipe stop cock, my new loft floor has plastic pipes and the first floor has copper pipes.

Saihan · 30 Apr 2016

ban-all-sheds

That's similar to the one I've got even the electrician had one which he too used.

Saihan · 30 Apr 2016

Just to add, can new carpets installed have anything to do with the issue? Read somewhere it could be the cause of static in the water.

JohnD · 30 Apr 2016

What an interesting idea. Do please show us where you saw it. Does your dog detect anything unusual?

Ask one of your plumbing friends if they've ever heard of static in the water.

bernardgreen · 30 Apr 2016

Those pens are useless, even dangerous as they can light when touching an EARTHED item and not light when touching a bare Live wire.

They light up if the potential difference between the person holding them and the item they are touching is more than about 90 volts. If the person is standing close to a live wire such as the wires to a switch on wall then capacitive coupling can raise the potential on the body to more than 90 volts. Then the pen they are holding will light up if it touches anything that is earthed and may not light if touching a live wire.

Capacitive coupling can create a potential on a person's body but the impedance of the capacitive coupling is extremely high and thus any current from body to ground will be insignificant and the potential will dis-appear.

Saihan · 30 Apr 2016

Most likely going to be a earth bonding issue, as I turned the whole cu off and got nothing. I'll have the electrician check it on Monday, the connection might not be great on the bonding as the the pipe has paint and is corroded. I'll have him attach it somewhere better and see how that works out.

EFLImpudence · 30 Apr 2016

Please let us know the solution.

There have been several threads with tingly water; none of which came back to let us know the outcome.

Saihan · 30 Apr 2016

Yes definetly will do and let you guys know.

Oldham

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Shower shock

Similar threads