240v between socket screw and radiator

[kk2205]

Hi all, got a shock when turning on the light and leaning against the radiator at same time. Realised I touched the socket screw first when I got the shock so checked voltage between screw and radiator and getting 240v.

Had an electrician round and said it needs rewiring, anybody know of potential issue and if an electrician could fix rather than just rewire?

Getting the 240v at every switch screw rather than just one.

Thanks

 

[chivers67]

Aren't the back boxes Earthed? What are you using to measure the Voltage? Have you had any work completed recently?

 

[kk2205]

Yes back boxes are earthed so when measuring from the screws it’s basically getting 240v from earth to radiators/pipe work. Using multimeter to check it. Don’t get it from the earths on sockets though.

 

[plugwash]

Likely you have multiple issues, a combination of missing earth connections and a fault somewhere that is causing live wiring to come in contact with touchable metalwork. Those faults need to be found and fixed.

This would likely involve testing among other things.

1. That the main earth terminal is actually properly earthed.
2. That various things in the installation that should be eathed actually are earthed.
3. That the insulation between live conductors and earth on each circuit is good.

Regarding the "it needs rewiring" there are two possibilities here. Some installations are such a basket case that no sane electrican would want to touch them other than to rewire. On the other hand some electrians are poor at fault finding and/or dishonest and will try to sell people rewires that aren't really needed.

Can you post a picture of the meter and consumer unit and the area surrounding them?

 

[Jurassicspark]

Sounds like capacitive coupling of near wires.
Inspect the earth connection behind the switch.

 

[ericmark]

I would be looking at two scenarios.
1) Lights are pre 1966 and there are earths missing, quick test with loop impedance meter should help here.
2) Some one has used a green/yellow wire for other than earth when wiring the central heating.

The first seems most likely, and could well mean a rewire on the cards.

 

[SUNRAY]

I would be looking at two scenarios.
1) Lights are pre 1966 and there are earths missing, quick test with loop impedance meter should help here.
2) Some one has used a green/yellow wire for other than earth when wiring the central heating.

The first seems most likely, and could well mean a rewire on the cards.

If 2) it is equally/more likely to be some botched 2 way switching.

 

[mattylad]

Rather than a rewire, get another electrician in that can diagnose and fix the fault.

 

[JohnW2]

Hi all, got a shock when turning on the light and leaning against the radiator at same time.

Can you describe this shock a little?

.... so checked voltage between screw and radiator and getting 240v.

What did you use to get that measurement?

Kind Regards, John

 

[BlueLoo]

No rcd trip?

How old is the electrics and what have you done to cause this?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Had an electrician round and said it needs rewiring, anybody know of potential issue and if an electrician could fix rather than just rewire?

It could be as simple as the earth being absent from the lighting circuit and your meter being very sensitive/high impedance. Upload some photos, for a decent opinions.

Getting the 240v at every switch screw rather than just one.

As above, though just a slim chance that the 240v is from the radiator - check for voltage between switch screws, and 13 amp socket screws.

 

[sparkwright]

Rather than a rewire, get another electrician in that can diagnose and fix the fault.

Exactly, he should have been able to fix the fault just for now.

You mean to say he left it like that??

 

[sparkwright]

It could be as simple as the earth being absent from the lighting circuit and your meter being very sensitive/high impedance. Upload some photos, for a decent opinions.



As above, though just a slim chance that the 240v is from the radiator - check for voltage between switch screws, and 13 amp socket screws.

Great post, should help the op - as long as he works SAFELY.

 

[sparkwright]

Sounds like the electrician was USELESS.

 

[JohnW2]

Exactly, he should have been able to fix the fault just for now. You mean to say he left it like that??

Do we know whether he actually made any attempt to investigate and rectify any specific fault he identified (rather than, say, just taking one look at the installation and concluding that it needs to be re-wired) ?

Kind Regards, John