My house seems to have alot of electricity flotting around. EVERY time I touch a light sockeet to turn it off or on, it shocks me really bad. Even touching each other around the house gives off shocks. Its not just a light shock, sometimes it hurts. Its at the point where my son is scared to turn off the lights.
Is there something I should be considering with this? Is it dangerous?
2007-01-27 06:14:49 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
These shocks are due to static discharge of electricity. When the humidity (moisture in air) becomes to low, the static electricity will accumulate and discharge to anything that is grounded. Simply walking on a carpet generates static electricity and when you touch an outlet, the sink or any object that is grounded, zap! Increase the humidity in your house or apartment by running the shower or even boiling water on the stove. I have actually used a sprayer and aimed it at the carpet and it worked.
Good Luck.
2007-01-27 07:19:04 · answer #1 · answered by dennybarth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Keep Getting Electric Shocks
2017-01-18 08:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by broughman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electric outlets and switches must have two wires, a hot and a ground. The ground wire must go to a safe ground - usually on the outside, perhaps a deep spike driven into the soil. The ground wire [main one] is clamped to that [or to a grounded metal pipe].
An electrician might be necessary to find if the ground wire is in place and it's money well spent if a hazard exists. When ground wire isn't grounded there's only hot juice and people get shocked. It isn't worth the risk of electrocution or severe injury to neglect it.
Humidity does help with static electricity, that's true. However, in high static electricity situations there'll also be a shock when you walk across the floor, dragging your feet on the carpet, and touch another person. Sometimes, you might see sparks when walking across the carpet in static electricity problem areas. You'll get the static cling effect in your clothes [and hair] in such areas, too.
Your problem sounds more like ground-wire problems than static electricity. Not anything to play around with, let go or put off. It's a safety hazard. If renting report it at once to your landlord - insist they repair it. They're outside the law in most states if they refuse or delay, unnecessarily. If you're the owner, get it repaired asap.
Inventory/list which switches/outlets shock you most often. Could be localized to a specific switch/outlet. If it's the main ground you'll get shocks at every outlet/switch. Touching appliances, getting shocked, can be a clue that main ground-wire needs attention. Nothing to ignore. Check it. Fix it. Be safe. Protect you and those with you.
2007-01-27 07:31:18 · answer #3 · answered by innerGist 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get an electrical volt meter and test for voltage between the things you touch that shocks you and a ground source. You home electrical system may not be grounded and you have a shorted circuit that makes its way to ground only by way of through your body. This IS dangerous! If you are grounded very well (like wet, barefooted, and no shoes on) you may get killed. You better call an electrician now. Are you near Houston. I will check it. My business charges $80 first 30 min on site and 40 each additional hour.
2007-01-27 06:28:54 · answer #4 · answered by redbird 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person to person shocks are just static electricity. Raise the humidity of the house by leaving pans of water out to evaporate into the air. The shocks to the fixtures might just be static electricity as well. Get this checked out by an electrician just to be sure. If this is a recent event, I think I would consider the static electricity as the cause. Do, however be sure and have an electrician check it out. Ask your power company to have one of their people check your home.
2007-01-27 07:03:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This isn't just painful, it's a fire hazard. I'd suggest getting an electrician out there immediately; in the meantime, turn off any electrical that you can live without; everything but the fridge, heater, and stove if you can manage.
The best solution would be to go stay with a family member or trusted friend and shut down all your electrical for a while, until the electrician can get out there.
2007-01-27 06:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by Tristan H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's caused by static electricity, which is common this time of year. It is caused by the air being too dry in your house. Try a humidifier or put a pot of water on to boil. The added humidity will eliminate your static problem.
2007-01-27 06:37:40 · answer #7 · answered by J P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the shocks you are taking are not static electricity, then you have to check the grounding network of your house
2007-01-27 06:25:02 · answer #8 · answered by Mad Dog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not enough humidity in the house. Need a humidifier, either a console or furnace mount, to get the air humidity to about 30% or so.
2007-01-27 15:44:40 · answer #9 · answered by jollygreen60 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to the above answers and have it checked out.
2007-01-27 06:29:35 · answer #10 · answered by Lionman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋