outside tap

[dougal]

Been called to look at an outside tap as the owner keeps getting shocks off it when her hands are wet.

tested the earth continuity via R2 tested OK.

tested ze that was OK

I put one of my test leads on the supply pipe and I get a reading of 4v ?:|

Tested between the tap pipe and another external copper pipe for continuity and all was OK.

the system is tncs that feeds two rewire able fuse boxes one for inside and one for an outbuilding.

What am i missing?

My current thoughts are to may be to replace the copper supply pipe with plastic to cure this problem.

what else could I do instead?

 

[sarni31]

Bonding in place ?

 

[Apache]

Static electricity?

 

[sarni31]

static from what ?

 

[Apache]

static from what ?

owners coat? wearing shoes so earths through the outside tap

like when you get out of a car.............

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Been called to look at an outside tap as the owner keeps getting shocks off it when her hands are wet.tested the earth continuity via R2 tested OK.

tested ze that was OK

I put one of my test leads on the supply pipe and I get a reading of 4v ?:|

Tested between the tap pipe and another external copper pipe for continuity and all was OK.

the system is tncs that feeds two rewire able fuse boxes one for inside and one for an outbuilding.

What am i missing?

My current thoughts are to may be to replace the copper supply pipe with plastic to cure this problem.

what else could I do instead?

Tell the customer to stop wearing cheap polyester/nylon clothes and rubber soled shoe..

I would think they are getting shocks from discharging body static onto the nicely earthed tap.

As you say the earth continuity readings are all OK.

You can get some pretty large shock from static electricity..

we used to have some quite nasty belts off one of our old baby push-chairs, (Mclaren Baby buggy I think)

especially when we went our local shopping centre....

the bearings in the wheels charged up the metal frame,

touch the frame.. Wallop! :_|

 

[sarni31]

could be quite a serious fault... if getting a shock everytime uses tap..

replacing the pipes with plastic could just mask the problem ...

of course you could be right..

having had previous experience from customers getting shocks from tvs and hifi's ... its quite difficult to explain that the shoes or carpet are at fault !!Guiness Drink

 

[dougal]

bonding is fine

R2 test to the tap were fine

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

bonding is fineR2 test to the tap were fine

Did YOU get a shock when you touched it?

If it was live..

eveyone would get a belt!

 

[dougal]

Did YOU get a shock when you touched it?If it was live..

eveyone would get a belt!

no I was fine

another spark has previously been to this problem and upgraded the bonding and the problem still remains.

the area around the tap is a paved patio area.

 

[sarni31]

If efli and pfc are ok then the only thing left are those nice new shoes she bought off the shopping channel......Guiness Drink

 

[dougal]

the supply to the bungelow go over the end of the patiosome 20 feet awawy from the tap. could this contribute to a stitic build up in the customer?

 

[sarni31]

is it just the outside tap thats effected ?

Guiness Drink

 

[Apache]

the supply to the bungelow go over the end of the patiosome 20 feet awawy from the tap. could this contribute to a stitic build up in the customer?

the women generates the static - the tap is just a conveninet path to earth

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

the supply to the bungelow go over the end of the patiosome 20 feet awawy from the tap. could this contribute to a stitic build up in the customer?

I don't think so...

More to do with clothes shoes etc..

and that some people are more susceptible to static build up than others.

You may have to put a couple of earth rods on each of the customers legs!!! ] ; ) :^O

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

the women generates the static - the tap is just a conveninet path to earth

I concur with the vets prognosis!Applaud SmileyB-)

 

[dougal]

is it just the outside tap thats effected ?Guiness Drink

it appears so

 

[sarni31]

you would think this voltage (4v) was present at other points along the system ...sink...bath etc ?:|

Guiness Drink

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I have a customer who said they kept getting shocks of the metal screws coming through the upstairs light switches....

All metal back boxes were earthed OK...

just a good static discharge point after they walked up the stairs!

I think your customer is probably getting other shocks elsewhere..

but may seem greater at the outside tap because grabbing hold of it to tun on/off making more of a good electrical contact with body.

 

[dougal]

you would think this voltage (4v) was present at other points along the system ...sink...bath etc ?:| Guiness Drink

what was puzzling is that one lead was conected to the water pipe supplying the tap and the other was in my hand with it not touching anything.