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Got a shock today but don't know how

  • 11-06-2009 10:56pm
    #1
    Pac1Man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,394 ✭✭✭


    I was connecting up and outside light today. The cables where already terminated at the fuse board a few days before (apart from the earth) so they were just left there for me to connect up. I took an earth from a nearby socket which was still live. I then turned off the lighting MCB's at the board.

    As I was stripping the earth cable for termination, (I think) my arm touched off the live cable and I got a small shock. I double checked the live cable and it was definately dead so I can't work out how I got a bang! I'm completely baffled! :confused: Is it possible to get any shock from this situation at all?

    Any wise heads out there?


Comments

  • #2
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    Is it possible to get any shock from this situation at all?
    Yup!
    What may have happened is that you have something that contains a capacitor on the same circuit (such as a fluorescent) and the capacitor discharged through you.
    I took an earth from a nearby socket which was still live
    Although this is not that big a deal you should be aware that this is bad practice and is against regulations.

    Did you use earth sleeving? Perhaps the earth cable touched off a live at the socket, it seems that you never turned off the socket circuit.


  • #3
    davelerave
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,712 ✭✭✭davelerave


    would have been better to use a plastic fitting than pull an earth from a socket.
    the lesson here anyway is to turn off the main switch if in doubt .


  • #4
    Pac1Man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,394 ✭✭✭Pac1Man


    Thanks lads. A few plausible ideas mentioned there but I think it must have been witchcraft tbh.

    @2011: When you say it's against regulations, do you mean taking an earth from a socket or was it just because it was live while I did it? Just interested tis all. :)


  • #5
    davelerave
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,712 ✭✭✭davelerave


    i'm not aware of any rules about working live.taking the earth from the socket mixes up the circuits.bad practice


  • #6
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    When you say it's against regulations, do you mean taking an earth from a socket or was it just because it was live while I did it?
    I mean taking an earth from one circuit to use with another.

    It would be normal for electricians to work on live equipment from time to time.


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  • #7
    Dotsie~tmp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,428 ✭✭✭Dotsie~tmp


    I dont know if anyone else has experienced this but i have sometimes tweaked a nerve in my hand when manipulating wires with a snips that feels identical to a small shock to the hand. Probably not ur zap but i thought id mention it.


  • #8
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    i have sometimes tweaked a nerve in my hand when manipulating wires with a snips that feels identical to a small shock to the hand.
    This has happened to me many times. My hand then "locks up" for a few seconds.


  • #9
    aws
    Closed Accounts Posts: 90 ✭✭aws


    How many neutrals were at the light as a matter of interest?


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