VOLT RUNNING THROUGH METAL BALCONIES...HELP PLEASE!

[fruitbat]

HI

I am doing a block of flats which have metal balconies and a few of the balconies have voltage running through them however when you turn off the door entry supply in the lanlords it goes , not sure of voltage as didn't have tester today and suggestions greatly appreciated

thanks Wayne.

 

[danny7299]

How do you know there is voltage running through then ? If you had no tester ?

---------- AUTO MERGE Post added at 21:22 ---------- Previous post was at 21:18 ----------

Is the steel work of the building correctly bonded ? And isn't intercom systems normally low voltage ?

 

[fruitbat]

I got a shock.

There is no internal metalwork connected to the balconies, I wasn't actually on site today my workmate was and he couldn't solve it so the boss is expecting me to sort it tommorow.

 

[danny7299]

you need to go back and do some more investigating , I would check the balcony metal work against a known earth and see what the potential difference is , , it's to difficult to say what it could be , with the info provided , it could be just static shock or something more sinister , but with out any results it's hard to say ...

As to the fact the fault goes one the circuit is dead , sounds like they could have drilled through a cable and bolted the balcony to it ..,

Happy hunting.... And let us know how you get on !

 

[Doc Hudson]

I got a shock.

You can get a shock from static electricity, I think you need some proper earth continuity, voltage and/or current tests to see if or what you have.

Doc H.

 

[sparkytim]

Are you sure YOU did not give IT a shock?

Have had this type of thing before and it turned out to be STATIC discharge to earthed metal that has built up within the person.

Same thing as shock when getting out of a car that often happens.

Check if a "Voltage" is present by measuring between a known earthed point i.e. nearby Socket CPC terminal and the Metal work.

If NO Volts then switch to continuity and see if it is a very low reading i.e. It is EARTHED via building structure.

If you DO have volts of any quantity then YES it IS Live.

 

[Riggy]

You got a shock off it and you weren't even there - the voltage must be very high!

You've got voltages running through things?

Is this a wind up?

 

[fruitbat]

No not a wind up, I wasn't there just thought it would be quicker than saying .....someone on site told the bloke I work with he got a shock off of the balcony , he thought that he was being wound up so touched it and also got a shock.

I will be on site tommorow to begin investigating, I have not come across this before.

 

[danny7299]

I have recently been working in a shop we had about 40 1200x600 lights to go up , every time me and the apprentice went up the steps and touch the grid I got a static shock ... The board wasn't even wired yet .. But the floor fitters had only just put placid flooring down so nicely built up charge !

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

It could be a TNCS system and a lost neutral on the landlords supply

 

[NozSpark]

Maybe one of the bolts is touching some re-bar which has become live for some reason?

 

[batty]

You may find if you hang from the balcony it will be ok.

:coat