light show

[poorboy]

can you help? i have just fitted 3 metal light switches in my house using a circuit tester screw driver, while i was adjusting the last one i noticed the light in the screw driver lighting up so i checked the rest of the switches and they where all the same. with the power on at the mains if i touch the body of the switch or the securing screws and make a circuit the light in the screw driver lights up! all three switches are earthed and are safe to touch.
is this normal??

cheers
poorboy

 

[DESL]

First of all chuck the screwdriver in the bin.

Neon screwdrivers are unreliable for checking the presence of voltage.
There could be a number of reasons it lit up but.....

all three switches are earthed and are safe to touch.

How do you know on both counts? The switches may have an earth wire connected but do you know it's connected to the main earth of the house.

Which leads to the next question it may appear to be safe to touch as you may not have earthed yourself.