Electric shocks in the house

Bean_Counter

Hi,

I moved house a couple of months ago and ever since we moved we have all been getting electric shocks off various objects in the house. These include the obvious metal items but also unlikely sources such as basins of water and even the cat's tail.

It doesn't happen all the time but will happen say about a dozen times a day. It is not just me but the whole family.

If it makes any odds, the house is newish (about 2.5 years old).

Does anyone have any idea as to what might be causing it and how we can prevent it?

Thanks.

Lord_Blue

I think you mean static shocks rather than electric. It is likely the carpets or flooring in your new home. To avoid it, set up a series of ropes around the house and swing from one to another to get around.

Alternatively, you could try this link http://www.static-sol.com/articles/static_shocks.htm

aahbarnes

Sounds like it's build-up of static from nylon carpets?

WestonDave

You are charging yourself up probably from the carpet (although certain clothing items can do it like fleece tops) and then discharging when you touch a conductor, like the metal objects or the water. I suspect the cat is probably half source of the problem and half victim - we often used to get shocks off our cat when the heating had been on and made his fur very dry.

One thing to do is ensure the humidity levels aren't too low as that will make it worse.

ormus

most likely nylon type carpets.
changing your manmade shoes and or socks will help. or try bare feet for a day and see if that stops it.

Intastella

I get a static shock every time i go to the self-service checkout in Tesco! Nowhere else, just there...weird!

Lord_Blue

I get a shock everytime my wife goes shopping.

ailuro2

I only get a shock when I touch the troller in Tesco's clothing section if I've been holding on to the plastic handle - I try to remember to hold on to the metal of the trolley to 'earth' myself, I'm OK at the moment after yelping in Tesco a few weeks back, but I do forget.

It is probably cheap carpets with nylon in them that's doing it.;)

poppyolivia

SERIOUSLY....this was happening in my mums house about 27 years ago when they bought it....it was electric shocks...my mum seemed to get them worse than anyone, she was even getting them in the bath for some reason etc.......the electrics were dodgy and weren't earthed! She went to the doctors thinking there was something wrong with here as it was really hurting her (funny now but not at the time!!lol)..but he told her to phone an electrician immediately, he came out and knew what it was straight away and fixed it....honestly get it checked out!!!! In saying that a new house 'should' be safe eh? My folks house is ancient!

Intastella

Lord_Blue wrote: »

I get a shock everytime my wife goes shopping.

:rotfl:


You must go to a posh Tesco ailuro2...no carpets on ours, cheap nylon or otherwise!

I get it when i touch the metal bit of the trolley, and i always forget as well. I might actually remember tomorrow due to this thread tho...cheers OP! :money:

zax47

poppyolivia wrote: »

SERIOUSLY....this was happening in my mums house about 27 years ago when they bought it....it was electric shocks...........honestly get it checked out!!!! In saying that a new house 'should' be safe eh? My folks house is ancient!

As an electrician, I can think of any number of reasons why that is not the case for the OP. Firstly, such a new installation will be RCD protected which would not allow the sort of shock your mother suffered and secondly - you can't earth a cat!!

It's static, no doubt about it!