when i dont have shoes on and its plugged in the frig shocks me. i know that means that something isnt grounded right. how do i figure out where and how to fix it. its a whirlpool and it has a ice maker. if that makes a difference.
2006-11-17 14:28:01 · 7 answers · asked by shannonlynn719 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
most likely, you have lost the ground to the outlet thru the cord or plug. The ground from the motors is doing what it is supposed to do, it is grounding to the frame. It is doing that because it doesnt have a ground to the earth ground of the house. You complete that when you touch it. Any search should start with the outlet into which it is plugged and the cord of the fridge itself.
2006-11-17 14:38:28 · answer #1 · answered by Ron 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This could be dangerous and should be checked as soon as possible.
Go to Home Depot or other hardware store and buy you a plug in "Circuit" tester. It will look like a small adapter that will plug into the wall, and it will have 3 lights on the end of it. Depending on which lights light up when you plug it in determines if the outlet is an "OPEN" ground - meaning that the circuit is NOT grounded and can shock you. You will have to have an electrician fix this either in the main box, wiring or the outlet itself.
The cost of the tester is about $3-$5 at most stores and is handy to have around.
The average cost of fixing the plug itself could be between $75.00 to $150 by an electrician.
You will also want to un-plug the fridge and look at the plug end. It should have either 3 prongs ( |*| ) two flat ones and one round one. If the round one is missing that is your problem, and the wire must be replaced on the fridge.
If it is an older fridge it may have 2 flat prongs and an extra wire that would be attached to a grounding circuit.
Good luck!
2006-11-17 14:39:29 · answer #2 · answered by southbosquebuilders 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your refrigerator should have a three prong plug and should be plugged into a properly polarized and grounded three prong receptacle. If a three prong adapter has been used, the receptacle should be replaced with a properly installed three prong receptacle.
For the time being if possible try reversing the plug in the receptacle and fasten the ground tab or wire to the screw on the cover plate.
2006-11-17 14:43:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Are you sure it isn't static electricity? Next time you get shocked, walk to the stove and touch it. If you get shocked, it is probably static electricity. If the stove doesn't shock you, walk back to the frig, touch it, if it shocks you, better call a repair man, not an electrician
2006-11-17 14:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I had the same problem. I went to HD . Got a ground rod and wire with appropriate clamps and wire endings. Bonded wire to the fridge, ran wire through the wall and bonded it to my ground rod. Seems to work fine. Pros tell me if I`m wrong!!!!
2006-11-17 21:05:45 · answer #5 · answered by william v 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
does it have a 2 wire or 3 wire cord?
if a 2 wire cord, try turning it over.
if a 3 wire cord, have a qualified person/electrician check your wiring, something is not connected properly.
2006-11-17 14:36:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
call an electrician. they will be able to tell you where to look.
2006-11-17 14:41:57 · answer #7 · answered by loretta 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋