Electric Shocks From Light Switch Screws, what to do?

nofoollikeold

You can get a static shock from the mounting screws. Walk across a nylon (or similar) carpet for example and your body can charge up with static electricity. Touch any earthed point, such as a metal radiator (with metal pipework) or the mounting screw of a light switch or power socket, and the static is discharged to earth.

However, it would still be sensible to get it checked out by a qualified electrician, as it could be a fault as suggested by earlier contributors.

Geoff1963

Walking on carpet, you'd only get a static shock once ; and you'd probably also get it touching a tap. I've only had that bad in a Canadian winter, when the air was very dry, and it gave a shock off metal door handles too.

If the letting agency dispute it, call them round for a nice cup of tea, and get them to touch the screw for a few seconds ; just make sure your mobile phone is recording the video.

Florence_J

Thank you everyone, It has been reported. I will update as it develops.

wealdroam

Florence_J wrote: »

Thank you everyone, It has been reported. I will update as it develops.

Who did you report it to and what did they say they were going to do?

Mr.Generous

Excellent thread I'm dying to know the outcome. Wondering why its not tripping or on an older system blowing a fuse. If the screws are live then the earthing should do its job.

Risteard

Mr.Generous wrote: »

Excellent thread I'm dying to know the outcome. Wondering why its not tripping or on an older system blowing a fuse. If the screws are live then the earthing should do its job.

Because it isn't earthed.

Geoff1963

It's "earthed" to the live ; like those horror films where the victim realises they've boarded up the house, but with the monster inside.

buglawton

If you own a metal table lamp, especially the touch-to-switch-on type, you'll often notice an electrical vibrating feel when touching it. This though it's double insulated. I believe it's a capacitive effect with the alternating current. Could this be what OP is experiencing?

Ectophile

buglawton wrote: »

If you own a metal table lamp, especially the touch-to-switch-on type, you'll often notice an electrical vibrating feel when touching it. This though it's double insulated. I believe it's a capacitive effect with the alternating current. Could this be what OP is experiencing?

I would be very surprised. If the earth wire is properly earthed, then there should be no feeling. In the case of the lamp, it was probably double-insulated, with the metalwork connected to nothing.

As an aside, I've felt a similar buzz using an aluminium-handled scythe while standing under 400kV power lines.

MisterP123

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

You need an electrician.

You shouldn't be able to get even a static electric shock off the mounting screws as (unless they're all plastic mounting boxes) the mounting screws should be earthed through the steel backbox.

There's always the possibility that this is a particularly old installation and the lighting circuits don't have a protective conductor?