plasterboard wall at 230volts

[choccy]

Good evening all, I have had a very eventful day and I would like to share it with you's and see what you's think.

Went to a house this morning to fit a cooker hood, oven, hob and a light in a kitchen every thing in done and ok. So went to leave and the decorator had said that when he was wetting the wall to take the wallpaper off he got a shock from the plasterboard, so started the usual testing any screws nails etc that I could see and found that all screws are at 230ish volts:O

Continued my investigation to find that this is a metal framed, then plasterboard screwed on wall.

My findings were that when testing for voltage throgh the circuit conductor and the metal stud I got about 45volts and through the live circuit conductor and the metal stud wall I was getting about 190volts ( circuit is rcd protected ).

My thinking is that the stud framing is not earthed and that the cable has been jammed or screw through, and with the framimg not being earthed that the rcd has not tripped.

The breaker for the socket circuit that when turned on and giving me the voltage has been turned off and the client has been informed about the problem but they seem they just want to carry on as before.

Has anyone had this before and any help would be great thanks

 

[Andy™]

sounds like a damaged cable. not much you can do apart from isolate & find it

 

[choccy]

Told client that was the likely out come and I have tracked it down to one section but not willing to remove a sheet of plasterboard then decorate againWet Fish

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Can you locate one of the metal studs and put an earth bonding wire to it?

Self tapper earth lug?

It wouldn't need much patching over to conceal your small access hole?

A least you could ensure a decent earth path off the frame..

Stop the plasterer getting a belt!

Then it may start the RCD tripping then?

and maybe customer will change their minds about not fixing it!!!

:|

 

[Andy™]

and maybe customer will change their minds about not fixing it!!!

:|

probably by removing the earth wire

 

[choccy]

Thanks special location thats a very good idea and will show the customer how important this is cheers:Applaud:Applaud

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Thanks special location thats a very good idea and will show the customer how important this is cheers:Applaud:Applaud

Well IMHO if you are aware of any exposed or extraneous parts that are not earthed and introducing potentials that could give an electric shock to an unskilled person....

Then one of the things you need to be doing is

Make sure all of you earthing & bonding are up to scratch so that all devices to automatically disconnect the supply in the event of faults are working correctly.

Which IMHO is basically what the opening bits of chapter 41 say.. 410 top of page 44.

If you don't do it I would suggest you are being negligent of you basic duty of care.



to make sure all devices designed to

 

[choccy]

I totally agree and I have already had a disclaimer signed to state that the client has been advised not to continue using, but they dont want to spend anything.

I hope they see sense and just get it sorted.

 

[batty]

I totally agree and I have already had a disclaimer signed to state that the client has been advised not to continue using, but they dont want to spend anything.I hope they see sense and just get it sorted.

Why are people so stupid lets hope its not a child that gets injured due to there stupidity.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I totally agree and I have already had a disclaimer signed to state that the client has been advised not to continue using, but they dont want to spend anything.I hope they see sense and just get it sorted.

headbangheadbang gits!

Let us know how you get on... :|

And if it can force the RCD to trip with a bit of strategic earthing!

Guinness

 

[choccy]

Will do and thanks for the replies:coffee

 

[Andy™]

I totally agree and I have already had a disclaimer signed to state that the client has been advised not to continue using, but they dont want to spend anything.I hope they see sense and just get it sorted.

could always contact DNO. they have a right to disconnect supply to a dangerous installation under ESQCR

26 (3) A distributor may disconnect the supply to the consumer