Was this just a quick static discharge or did you get the effect repeatedly? Was the 240 V power connected to the van? If it was not a static type discharge then I suggest there is faulty wiring or appliance in the van. It also sounds like there is no RCD in the van or in the house, one of those would have tripped if there was one.If the power was connected and see if the problem still exists.
Suggest your friend gets this checked out post haste if it is coming from the mains.
-- Edited by PeterD on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 01:18:19 AM
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Was this just a quick static discharge or did you get the effect repeatedly? Was the 240 V power connected to the van? If it was not a static type discharge then I suggest there is faulty wiring or appliance in the van. It also sounds like there is no RCD in the van or in the house, one of those would have tripped if there was one.If the power was connected and see if the problem still exists.
Suggest your friend gets this checked out post haste if it is coming from the mains.
-- Edited by PeterD on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 01:18:19 AM
Rod,
I agree with PeterD Completely,
Get it checked out Immediately,
I am also a retired Electronics Tech,and would much prefer a belt off a 25kv TV Picture tube
(Not Nice),than a Total tangle with 240 Volt Mains,unless you are really lucky it
can Kill you.
I have accidently, tried both several times,during my working life,no doubt Peter has too,
As he said,it may have been just a Static build up...Not such a big deal
But,if it was a 240 Volt leakage Problem,That can be Lethal.
You CANT,let go of 240 Volt,Believe me.
Regards.
John
-- Edited by johnno02 on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 04:34:23 AM
Techies ,when working on my friends van I was touching the metal while sitting on the ground and I recieved a bit of a tickle of electricity ,any answers to this problem .
Hello fellas, thank you all for your quick replies. The van was connected to power and was parked inside a shed on concrete,I thought it might have been a capacitance build up seeing that the van is sitting on rubber and not grounded, am I thinking in right direction should the van be earthed while parked????.
Thank you all Rod
Hi Rod
While it may have been a elecrostatic discharge , that should only occur for a very short instant[part of a second]
If it continued while in contact [no matter how small ] it indicates a 240v leakage.
Any 240V leakge NEEDS TO BE FOUND URGENTLY.
It may have not been enough at this stage, to trip a RCD [safety switch] but is an indication of a possible more serious problem, that could develop
There could be many causes:
[1] a fault within the van
[2]a faulty extension lead
you could try another lead & carefully see if the problem still exists
I do hope you were not using an illegal 10A to 15A extension lead
[3] a faulty condition with the domestic earthing system
The power outlet you were using may not have an earth connection[possible in many older houses]
[4]even an external earthing problem
BUT it needs checking a verifying by a competent 240v electrician NOW
NO, DO NOT USE ANY OTHER MEANS OF EARTHING THE VAN ,than by the extension lead,doing so can lead to other problems
EDIT
The whole lot needs to be checked in situ
The problem maybe due to step voltages[stray ground currents] due to possible problems in the area!!
What is the distance from the supply outlet to the van [extensin lead length???]
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 11:14:57 AM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 6th of February 2013 02:11:04 PM
Hello fellas, thank you all for your quick replies. The van was connected to power and was parked inside a shed on concrete,I thought it might have been a capacitance build up seeing that the van is sitting on rubber and not grounded, am I thinking in right direction should the van be earthed while parked????.
1. The van was connected to power and was parked inside a shed on concrete,I thought it might have been a capacitance build up seeing that the van is sitting on rubber and not grounded, am I thinking in right direction
2. should the van be earthed while parked?
1. If the van is correctly earthed through its power cord and the house wiring is in good order, you should not experience anything like you suggest.
2. The van only needs to be earthed while it is connected to a 240 V power supply. The van will get its earthing through the power lead if there are no faults within the system.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I'm wondering whether there is a less frightening explanation for the "tickle".
Many two-pronged AC appliances have a Y2 capacitor that connects the AC side of the supply to the DC side. The impedance of this capacitor at 50Hz is very high, so there is no risk of harm. In fact my DVD player and an old CRT TV both used to give me a significant tingle whenever I fiddled with their AV leads.
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"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full."
I'm wondering whether there is a less frightening explanation for the "tickle".
Many two-pronged AC appliances have a Y2 capacitor that connects the AC side of the supply to the DC side. The impedance of this capacitor at 50Hz is very high, so there is no risk of harm. In fact my DVD player and an old CRT TV both used to give me a significant tingle whenever I fiddled with their AV leads.
Hi dorian
Tickles such as you describe can occur with many device with internal capaciors to earth .
The current must be limited to a safe value [by the design]
Such devices include Inverters , TV signal amplifiers & many other appliances
But you should not get a tickle from the FRAME of a caravan to mother earth
Both should be at the same potential
The problem should be investigated to ensure lives are not at risk
The problem can be due to:
[1]A faulty extension lead coupled with some leakage within the van [wiring or appliance]
[2]A fault in the house wiring
[3] A problem in the supply Authority earthing system
[4]A potential difference due to the van's location relative to the supply outlet's earthing
The latest Standards recognise this problem & have some very stringent requirements for earthing the reinforcement in concrete slabs so that ALL is at equipotential,
Of course many concreters would not be aware of that!!!
What ever the area , the cause should be investigated by an electrician who has some experience with such problems, for possible rectifcation or to ensure the system is SAFE.
Please to ALL do not ignore what may appear to be a minor shock .It could be a warning & you may not get a second chance
I may be a bit over causious but I find some of the comments here disturbing. 240V is bloody dangerous! Instead of taking advice from well intended people here GO SEE A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN AND GET THE RIGHT ANSWER before someone gets hurt or worse!
(The latest Standards recognise this problem & have some very stringent requirements for earthing the reinforcement in concrete slabs so that ALL is at equipotential,
Of course many concreters would not be aware of that!!!)
Having been associated with the Construction Industry for 50 QLD years I have never heard of this requirement and would find is very hard to carry out as in a highrise building you would have difficulty with the conection continuity.
Have you a standard requirement reference, as I have not seen any reference to this on any building plans or service schematics.
As this is now getting of topic for the original poster I would suggest he purchases a new lead or trys another lead of the required amperage
-- Edited by patrolst on Monday 11th of February 2013 10:25:29 AM
Stupid question, but what footwear and what clothing were you wearing and where were you before you got the shock. Did you get more than one shock from the van?
If you got more than one shock from the van I would be worried, If you got one shock and no more, I would not try to use an an electric detonater to arm a kilo of nitropril wearing the footwear and clothes you were wearing because the static would probably send you to the moon.
One shock is discharge, static. Two shocks is bad. One shock with AC voltage usually requires a second person to knock you off it, it does grab you and hurts. I had 180 volts ac through an autotransformer earthed through the frame, it hurt. Luckily a workmate hit me off it with a broomstick. AC sticks and hurts at lower voltages. At Higher voltages, it just fries or throws you off, do not know why!
Now I have probably opened a can of worms, but seriously, I have got a static shock off the caravan wearing nylon, wearing no shoes, walking across carpet and then putting Crocs on and going out to put stuff in the van!
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Never growing old, just getting dusty around the edges.
Stupid question, but what footwear and what clothing were you wearing and where were you before you got the shock. Did you get more than one shock from the van?
Nylon underwear too! The best solution for attractive young ladies is not to wear any!
I was a little over keen with saying all rheo shall be eqipotentialy bonded to the main earthing system it is a recomendation so a I'll give a edited actual quotes from the rules [Got to be careful with copyrights]
AS 3000 5.6.2.5"all conductive reinforcing within a concrete floor or wall forming part of shower or bathroom SHALL be bonded to the earthing system of the electrical installation -------to avoid any potential differences----" Details as to how it may be done follow
5.6.2.5 note 3 "Although not a requirement in existing concrete wall or floors, the practise dhould be adopted where ever pratical" c
Swimming poools & spas 5.6.2.6 "---Eqipotential bonding SHALL extend to any fixed-extraneous conductive metal of the pool structure including reinforcing metal of the deck & shell---------"
You may find these links informative http://hia.com.au/hia/content/Builder/region/VIC/classification/Building%20and%20Planning%20Services/Latest%20news/article/IS/BPS/VIC%20AS3000%20New%20requirements%20for%20earthing%20of%20slabs.aspx
Thank you all for your replies ,I went over to my friends place and found the power lead he was using was an old one he used when he was working (retired builder), checked it out and found the earth at the power point end was broken. Because it was so old I told him to buy a new one. In finding what was wrong and fixing it may help someone else out there who has a similar problem.
well we had the same problem when we bought our van . tingles on my lip of the gas bottle when i looked in the boot then on the back of my fingers bit like the ones ya used to get from the laundry water way back when . ok theres more to this story as we just bought the van and had to fight for repairs (another story) we had the electricity safety council spend 5 hrs x 2 guys checking out for a fault . they did find a surge protector was giving wrong readings so it was busted up never to be used again .they checked out the house and the leads to find nothing wrong . when the van did go back for warrantee work it was found to be a ****ty earth connector behind the fridge crap material used by the van maker . alls well now but its always on my mind .they also said to make sure the little earth strap from the door to the van is in good condition and connected . they also told me of a little girl that got a shock when she opened the door but didnt tell me how bad it was .
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with saying all rheo shall be eqipotentialy bonded to the main earthing system it is a recomendation
