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LOW VOLTAGE FROM SHOWER HEAD?

03/31/2008 05:19 PM KEVINLEEWALTERS

FROM TIME TO TIME, YOU CAN FEEL A LOW VOLTAGE SHOCK FROM THE SHOWER HEAD IN ALL BATHROOMS. THIS HAS BEEN CHECKED BY AN ELECTRICIAN, WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I HAVE AN ELECT WATER HEATER THAT HEATS JUST FINE. ANY THOUGHTS?

KEV

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Shock

03/31/2008 06:13 PM Billhart Moderator

This is an electrical problem, not a plumbing problem.

What tests did the electric perform?

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SHOCK

03/31/2008 06:55 PM KEVINLEEWALTERS

NOT EXACTLY SURE ON WHICH TEST. I WAS NOT HOME. THE REPAIR ORDER REFERENCED, INSPECTED FOR SHORTS IN THE BREAKERBOX, GFI PERFORMANCE AND CHECKED FOR GROUNDS. ALL OK...?

KEV

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Shock

03/31/2008 07:37 PM Billhart Moderator

In general a GFCI would have nothing to do with this. Although if Part of the problem is caused by something like a whirlpool tub and it was plugged into a GFCI (required by most US codes) then it should have tripped.

And the term "ground" has too much meaning to be usefull. The term ground means equipement grounding conductor (the round pin on receptacles), the ground electrode system (ground rods and other electrodes), ground electrode conductor and bonding at the panel and in some cases at the bonding of water pipes, gas pipes, and other items. And there are several ways that they can be bonded.

I see no meantion of them measuring for any voltage between shower head and shower drain or between the shower head and a reference point back at the ground bus in the panel.

The report should have said that they either measured such a voltage and then did several steps to try to trace it down. For example by turning circuits on and off at the panel and seeing if the voltage changes.

Or by stating that they did make measurements and did not measure any voltage so that they where able to confirm the problem, but did check the bonding in the panel, the ground electrode and ground electrode conductor, bonding at the water pipe and the ground electrode conductor to the water meter and any resistance between the water heater elements and the water heater case.

BTW, this problem could be with the power company or probems in near by houses.

But contact the electrian and see if they tested what I indicated and what was the results.

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