Electrics problem - shocks from washing machines

Radiantsoul

We seem to be getting little electric shocks from the washing machine. Google leads me to believe that there is probably an issue with the earthing in the plug. Is this going to be a big job? What is the potential cost going to be.
I am not sure if it helps but I live in an ex-council house from the 1980s, I am not sure much has been done to the wiring since it was built.

paulpud

If your house was wired in the 1980s there probably isn't that much wrong with it, aside from any additions that might have been bodged. The cabling should still be ok but your fuseboard and/or earthing to pipework might need a little attention. Even so, this shouldn't be a reason for getting shocks from anything.

First thing to rule out is static electricity. Some synthetic floor coverings can sometimes charge you up as you walk on them and then you'll get a shock as you come into contact with earthed metalwork. If it definitely isn't down to this then you may need to call on an electrician for assistance. It could be down to one or two of a whole host of things, but I'd be surprised if it was anything major.

White goods, especially washing machines, can be problematic for earth leakage. This is when a relatively small amount of electricity finds its way to the metalwork of the machine. Normally your earthing system will take it away without you even realising its there but if for whatever reason it doesn't, you end up getting a tickle when you touch it. It could be a simple poor earth connection in the machine itself or somewhere along the circuit.

totalsolutions

Question - Apart from shocks from your washing machine:-

A) Do you get them from door handles, sink or fridge ?

Do you wear or walk on nylon fabrics ?

Radiantsoul

totalsolutions wrote: »

Question - Apart from shocks from your washing machine:-

A) Do you get them from door handles, sink or fridge ?

Do you wear or walk on nylon fabrics ?

We do from the sink, but the floor is stone and we don't wear nylon.

baldelectrician

Radiantsoul wrote: »

We do from the sink, but the floor is stone and we don't wear nylon.

This may be a serious problem- there may be an appliance / item with an earth fault and a problem with the earth (loose / bad connection or poor supply earth)

It really needs checked out as soon as possible
You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals registered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchRegCo.asp?T=Construction
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

totalsolutions

concur with baldelectrician.

McKneff

baldelectrician wrote: »

This may be a serious problem- there may be an appliance / item with an earth fault and a problem with the earth (loose / bad connection or poor supply earth)

It really needs checked out as soon as possible
You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals registered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchRegCo.asp?T=Construction
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

Agree with the above. Electricity is a dangerous thing.

Get it checked as soon as possible, better spending 30£ or so than your family finding you electrocuted on the floor stiff as a board. Cheap at twice the price.

kevandkeira

We had the same problem in our old house, we kept getting shocked from the dishwasher & sink.
We got rid of the dishwasher & never got shocked again.

googler

You need to unplug the washing machine from the mains.

If you're STILL getting shocks from the sink, then there's an earthing problem somewhere else in the house, and you need an electrician as described above.

If the shocks from the sink stop happening, then you've probably identified the washing machine as the cause of both, and should call a washing machine doctor or electrician to check the wiring in the machine, or get a new machine.

You could also try plugging some other appliance into the same socket as the washing machine, and see if you get a shock off that, and what effect that has on the shocks from the sink.

DVardysShadow

googler wrote: »

... You could also try plugging some other appliance into the same socket as the washing machine, and see if you get a shock off that, and what effect that has on the shocks from the sink.

Did you google for that or do you really believe it???

Like you are saying "Test for this potentially fatal wiring by seeing if it gives you a shock". Personally, I would get a professional in to test it or test it myself with the proper kit

ormus

i would certainly rule out any poss static charge, first.
another simple basic test, is to test for continuity between the appliance chassis and the earth terminal/pin on the plug.
ps,
(unplug the appliance obviously).