Small voltage running through casing of microwave and kettle that gives a shock

[Cordless Crazy]

What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle t

become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

The voltage is not high enough to be uncomfortable, but you certainl can feel it. Tis a bit like a weak electric fence when touched.

However, the appliances do not do it when plugged in to another socket

-- Cordless Crazy

[Christian McArdle]

Probably the socket is not securely earthed, so the casings start to float.

Christian.

[Chip]

On Thu, 25 May 2006 17:36:38 +0100,it is alleged that "Christian McArdle" spake thusly in uk.d-i-y:

Or worse, possibly there's some leakage between earth and live in the socket in addition. Either way, not a happy situation

[John McLean]

Is/are the socket/s on an RCD?, what are you standing on at the problem socket? i.e. is the floor construction earthenware tiles, rugs or other electrically insulated flooring. How do you get the feeling: - e.g.hand on appliance and hand on kitchen top; or hand on appliance, other hand not touching any metalwork. Maybe you should be buying appliances to suit your user name!. Jaymack

[The Natural Philosopher]

You have a socket without an earth. Fix that, *priority*.

In this case the metal case will be roughly at 110v AC with a fairly high impedance, via the RFI filtering.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Chip wrote: possibly there's some leakage between earth and live in the

With RFI filters there ALWAYS is...and all microwaves have fairly massive ones.

[meow2222]

but since both appliances play with water and electricity, that could change to 240 and low impedance.

NT

[The Natural Philosopher]

Which is why I said "Fix that, *priority*."

[Harry Bloomfield]

Cordless Crazy formulated the question :

Two possibilities:-

1. The socket lacks an earth and what you feel is the normal leakage from the appliance to earth.
2. The socket and appliances are properly earthed and you are 'live'. In other words you are standing on or touching something else which is at least to some extent 'live'.

[meow2222]

i know :) we all know

NT