After some advice: Mild tingle from shower when in use

[JohnW2]

I'm a bit confused by that. Although it would probably be necessary to rip up flooring to deal with any water leak that was detected, if his theory is that water in a JB is causing an (electrical) 'leak', I would have expected him to confirm (or dismiss) that possibility by undertaking Insulation Resistance tests on all the relevant circuits, which would not require any interference with the flooring.

Gah! Although I mentioned this to him when he arrived, I forgot to ask him if he did that test, balls! I have a feeling he didn't as the whole focus seems to be on finding whether or not the shower is going to earth...

Hmmm again! The whole purpose of IR tests is to detect small, or very small, (electrical leaks), often due to moisture/water - so if his theory is that a water-related electrical leak may be happening, it would seems pretty surprising if he did not do such tests.

In fact, more generally, given the uncertainties/mysteries around and the nature of your experiences/concerns, I would have thought that IR testing 'everything in sight' would probably be an early step in the investigation of this possible problem.

Kind Regards, John

 

[TheGovernor]

I'm going to need to get another electrician out aren't I?

 

[JohnW2]

I'm going to need to get another electrician out aren't I?

Well, as I (and deadshort, and others earlier in the discussion) have said, IR tests are really needed, and are certainly a better option than ripping up floors.

I have to say that I'll be pretty (probably very) surprised if the IR tests show up any problems, but they still need to be done - and (IMO) should have been done early in this investigation process (i.e. by electrician #1).

Kind Regards, John

 

[TheGovernor]

I'm getting really fed up that I seem to be having to ask the so-called experts to carry out specific tests that they should already be doing...

 

[JohnW2]

It's winding me up to be honest!! The guy left me his number, so I just phoned him, he is saying he doesn't need ot do an IT test because he found no leakage to earth.

I don't understand that. It may be true that he didn't find any significant voltages in places they shouldn't be - but the way (really the one and only definitive way) to determine whether there are any 'leakages to earth' is to undertake IR tests!

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

I'm getting really fed up that I seem to be having to ask the so-called experts to carry out specific tests that they should already be doing...

You certainly have my sympathies - but, unfortunately, it's not an unfamiliar story. It's not even as if we are talking 'rocket science' - maybe it's time to remind people that I am not an electrician, but the proper course seems clear enough to me!

Kind Regards, John

 

[TheGovernor]

It's winding me up to be honest!! The guy left me his number, so I just phoned him, he is saying he doesn't need ot do an IT test because he found no leakage to earth.

I don't understand that. It may be true that he didn't find any significant voltages in places they shouldn't be - but the way (really the one and only definitive way) to determine whether there are any 'leakages to earth' is to undertake IR tests!

Kind Regards, John

FFS, I guess it's not his family at risk so it doesn't matter so much, kicking myself now for not remembering and insisting on it while he was here...

 

[deadshort]

I am afraid to say, this is the type of situation which highlights the lack of very basic fundimental theory that is not being taught or practiced by these so called electricians.

DS

 

[JohnW2]

I am afraid to say, this is the type of situation which highlights the lack of very basic fundimental theory that is not being taught or practiced by these so called electricians.

Sadly, that's very true - and, of course, it's a modern-day phenomenon which is not unique to 'electricians' (in terms of basic training, or the lack of it).

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

like John I am not an electrician by trade but we both have the knowledge and intelligence to fault find.

Sadly many, too many, "electricians" are little more than installers of cable and fixtures according to the book of rules. Most of these lack the knowledge and ability needed to fault find.

Some do not even have basic knowledge of what electricity is and if asked about Ohms law or other basic knowledge they cannot answer.

 

[TheGovernor]

Okay, if anyone knows an electrician who is actually fully competent in the Southampton area, I'm all ears

 

[bernardgreen]

A "qualified electrical technician" at a Main Dealer workshop was looking for a short circuit in a car. It was blowing a 30 amp fuse. He soon had a pile of blown 30 amp fuses. He could have used 5 amps to save damaging the cable loom or even a test lamp instead of a fuse. But no the book said 30 amp so 30 amp it had to be.

 

[JohnW2]

Okay, if anyone knows an electrician who is actually fully competent in the Southampton area, I'm all ears

I'm not sure exactly where he is but EFLI, who contributed a fair bit to this discussion, might not be too far away.

Kind Regards, John

 

[deadshort]

like John I am not an electrician by trade but we both have the knowledge and intelligence to fault find.

Sadly many, too many, "electricians" are little more than installers of cable and fixtures according to the book of rules. Most of these lack the knowledge and ability needed to fault find.

Some do not even have basic knowledge of what electricity is and if asked about Ohms law or other basic knowledge they cannot answer.

I have a friend with a large victorian house divided in to bedsits, she asked about installing 4 electric showers i explained she would require to upgrade the supply to the house to 3 phase. Her son who had just graduated as an electrical engineer advised her that this would be very expensive as all her appliances would have to be changed to operate at 415v ! He also asked me "what's a contractor?"

He is now an electrical consultant ! Yes we've all met him


DS

 

[TheGovernor]

I got hold of the guy (again) and explained it would make me rest easier if he actually carried out the IR test, despite his insistence that it probably won't show anything, and if it did it might be a fault elsewhere not related to the shower (which to my mind is still something that makes the test worthwhile!!!), he has agreed to come back and carry out an IR tomorrow, he can't do it today because he's got other jobs.

I really should've remembered to insist on it while we were stood in the kitchen scratching our heads.

So, if anyone has any final theories or tests they can imagine will help, please do throw them at me in case he can do them!

As ever, thank you for your contributions, apologies for my slightly irritable last few posts!