Electric shock

[The Jackal]

Went to open the front door when my thumb slid over one of the screws when I got a sudden strong tingling sensation and I knew what it was.

I didn't fancy trying it again

Getting my mains tester screw driver I touched one if the screws to find it indeed being live !

The same goes for the other light switch in my downstairs hallway.
These switches form part of the downstairs lighting circuit (5 amp fuse on this I believe) but the rest of switches are ok.

Anyone got any ideas as to what is the safest way to deal with this ? I guess in the interim I can switch off the downstairs lighting circuit.

[Tricky]

Get a qualified sparky in before you hit something serious

[Graham M]

Turn off the affected Lighting Circuit and get an electrician out, there are a few possible reasons for this but the RCD should be tripping really

Mains Leaking onto the Earth in the Switch (or somewhere else on your ring main but other things would be live too) causing a Life Earth - Main RCD should trip when this happens really

Mains leaking onto the Earth somewhere else in the house and travelling over Earth wire, again should be tripping the main RCD.

[on in an hour!]

Originally Posted by CrC-3rr0r

Went to open the front door when my thumb slid over one of the screws when I got a sudden strong tingling sensation and I knew what it was.

I didn't fancy trying it again

Getting my mains tester screw driver I touched one if the screws to find it indeed being live !

The same goes for the other light switch in my downstairs hallway.
These switches form part of the downstairs lighting circuit (5 amp fuse on this I believe) but the rest of switches are ok.

Anyone got any ideas as to what is the safest way to deal with this ? I guess in the interim I can switch off the downstairs lighting circuit.

take a feed off it to the door handle,when the thieves come to break in it will be a nice welcome for them

[Paul]

Get a spark in, probably a metal back box and a loose wire somewhere on the circuit.

yes, turn off the d/s lighting circuit, then get a qualified electrician to check the earth bonding, there is no way your lights & the door frame should be connected

[Russ]

Isn't it now the law that this sort of thing has to be sorted out by a qualified spark?

[Paul]

Think so.

[Graham M]

I think you can sort it yourself but the works needs to be certified?

[The Jackal]

Well with it being London an all it'll cost a fortune at this time of the night.

Nothing has tripped at the mains box, and as suggested I think there could be a leakage somewhere.

I've checked most of the sockets in the house and what looks very likely is that the main 2way (the one where you have a switch upstairs and a switch downstairs controlling one single light) circuit is affected.

Typically the light switches downstairs light up my screw driver like a christmas tree whereas the screws in the switch on the upstairs landing(two way switch) show a very faint light.

Now to work out what circuit to switch off without taking down all my machines.
Better shut them down.

[Graham M]

It'll be one of the ones that says 5A on, your computers will be on a 30A ring main

[Rob]

An RCD isn't usually provided on the lighting circuits, just the power outlet circuits. At least that used to be the case hence why so many houses have split circuit boards so parts aren't RCD controlled. A RCD will not prevent a shock, just prevent a fatal shock, some current would still flow.

Many older houses that have not been recently rewired, or significantly upgraded, will not have RCDs, and frequently even MCB (circuit breakers) relying on older fusewire. Even older 1970s or earlier property might not even have an earth circuit to lighting.

The rules don't prevent unregistered electricians from looking at your system, indeed provided they don't add a complete circuit or alter wiring in the kitchen , bathroom, or property exterior they can do quite a lot, like major additions to extend circuits.

[Hom3r]

All the electrics in our house are RCD protected, Its a pain when a light blows and trip and we have to reset the box

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Originally Posted by Russ B

Isn't it now the law that this sort of thing has to be sorted out by a qualified spark?

Depends on the solution really. Part P is all about new installations or changes in notifiable areas (eg where there is close proximity to water)

---------- Post added at 22:19 ---------- Previous post was at 22:15 ----------

Originally Posted by Rob

An RCD isn't usually provided on the lighting circuits, just the power outlet circuits. At least that used to be the case hence why so many houses have split circuit boards so parts aren't RCD controlled.

Due to the fact that a light bulb blowing will trip an RCD. Which is a pain as its usually dark when you turn lights on

---------- Post added at 22:23 ---------- Previous post was at 22:19 ----------

how olds your house? Do you have an earth stake? Has it come out of the ground or been disconnected?

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

All the electrics in our house are RCD protected, Its a pain when a light blows and trip and we have to reset the box

Same here and my house is 10 years old.