Electrocuted by a screw.

securespark · 17 Jul 2004

Story in The Mirror the other day.

Guy killed himself (unintentionally) because a screw in the doorframe of the bathroom had pierced the shower cable. Not sure how, but when the metal hose of the shower touched the water, he got a fatal shock.

Case for RCD's on showers, all ye of little faith?

One in a million, I know, but nevertheless, if he had an rcd on his circuit, he may be here to tell the tale.

I say "may", as I've never tested an rcd to see if it would save my life......

Although in Malta they are called "salva-vita".

plugwash · 17 Jul 2004

hmm

if the nail caused a live-earth short it should have taken out the mcb

and anything that wouldn't take out the mcb should not cause a dangerous voltage on the earth

securespark · 17 Jul 2004

Just reporting the story.....

murraysnudge · 17 Jul 2004

It could have been the frame of the shower enclosure. If it was aluminium it could have been live but not earthed until the guy touched it while showering?

plugwash · 17 Jul 2004

yes that would make sense

and is why *ANYTHING* that covers cableing should be earthed

securespark · 18 Jul 2004

Like foil-backed plasterboard......!!!

plugwash · 18 Jul 2004

not earthing something like foild backed plasterboard is plain dangerous imo

the problem with such things is if one screw/nail goes through a cable and the metal sheet isn't earthed you can end up with a huge earth plane (which may or may not be exposed but is still in easy reach of any future screws

diy_newbie · 18 Jul 2004

plugwash said:
not earthing something like foild backed plasterboard is plain dangerous imo

the problem with such things is if one screw/nail goes through a cable and the metal sheet isn't earthed you can end up with a huge earth plane (which may or may not be exposed but is still in easy reach of any future screws

We're getting some of that put up next week.
How do you earth it? or should I say how would you attach an earth cable to it?

securespark · 18 Jul 2004

You don't.

I was being facetious.

I think plug was too.

If not, he's being over-zealous, to be polite.

plugwash · 18 Jul 2004

maybe i am paranoid but i can see how easilly a large sheet of metal in the wall could become live

though i agree it would be hard to earth it discretely possiblly you could put one of the fixing screws though a crimp ring

murraysnudge · 18 Jul 2004

Perhaps plugwash is a member of this?

TexMex · 18 Jul 2004

if the nail caused a live-earth short it should have taken out the mcb

Perhaps the metal shower hose was fitted to a plastic fitting on the shower (quite common) it therefore wouldn't have been earthed. Althought the water within the system would cause a circuit to between this and the earth of the copper water supply, it wouldn't be a dead short, therefore the MCB wouldn't trip.

Perhaps plugwash is a member of this?

took a minute for the penny to drop.

diy_newbie · 18 Jul 2004

securespark said:
You don't.

I was being facetious.

I think plug was too.

If not, he's being over-zealous, to be polite.

Thank goodness for that!!
I was getting worried there! I'd never heard of it...
oh well, guess I'll believe anything

Lectrician · 18 Jul 2004

Screw could have shorted L to E, and the could also have been an open circuit earth before the short, so the shower sat ready to 'bite' until he turned the water on, and then, ZAP

.

It is usally the case in fatalities with electrics, that there is two faults, not just one

Oh, Hi Plug

securespark · 18 Jul 2004

plugwash said:
maybe i am paranoid but i can see how easilly a large sheet of metal in the wall could become live

though i agree it would be hard to earth it discretely possiblly you could put one of the fixing screws though a crimp ring

It's not a large sheet of metal, it is foil. And it is concealed. Don't the regs talk about earthing exposed metalwork?

If you're still unsure talk to IEE or NIC.

diynot

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Electrocuted by a screw.

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