Electric Shock Off Lights Switch

1) Why did I get a shock off my light switch?

If you have received an electric shock off your lights switch then there is a voltage present on the light switch. This means that the light switch could have a voltage waiting of anywhere between 50 volts and 230 volts. The voltage will sit there on the metalwork and wait for a path to earth. When you touch the light switch YOU become the path to earth for the light voltage and that is why you will get an ELECTRIC SHOCK OFF LIGHT SWITCH.

2) What has happened?🔎

There can be a number of reasons why this has happened but generally the main reason is a lack of earth path for any voltage that may be present on the light switch. This could mean that the circuit protective conductor wire (earth wire) behind the light switch is not connected to earth properly or that the circuit protective conductor is broken somewhere along its length causing a voltage to appear on the light switch. When a circuit protective conductor is broken, any voltage that would otherwise be taken away just waits for an earth path.

3) Why does a voltage appear there in the first place?

Electrical circuits can be affected by other electrical circuits believe it or not. When electrical current flows in an electrical cable, a magnetic field is generated. This magnetic field can be picked up by other electrical cables. 
When cables without a circuit protective conductor (or broken conductor) pick up a stray electromagnetic field, this causes a voltage to appear on the electrical switches and sockets for that socket and sometimes any connected appliances resulting in a possible shock for you. 

4) Are there any other reasons?🤔

Very occasionally a live wire from the back of the light switch can come loose and touch something metal inside for example the box at the rear of the switch or the switch itself. When this happens then the full voltage of the circuit is likely to appear on the switch and any other that are connected. When the circuit protective conductor is broken or missing then the voltage has nowhere to go and waits for an earth path from your body. 

5) Who can help?

An electrician specialising in emergency work, fault finding and testing is the best bet. Using specialised test equipment, we can discover the reason behind your electrical problem and locate any breaks in the earth wire which are causing shocks. The process normally takes an hour or two to pin down the problem and fix it. In some cases, there may be complications that result in a further visit or quote for works being needed but without the first hour or so on of investigation then it is not possible to let you know what is needed to put the situation right. 

6) Is there anything I can do to prevent this happening?💭

Absolutely YES. The best thing you can do is to speak to your electrician before this happens and get them to carry out an ELECTRICAL INSPECTION in your home. This is the process where an electrician comes and checks all the circuits and earthing to make sure that everything is as it should be, complies with wiring regulations and is suitable for continued use.The electrician will provide you with a lengthy report detailing any issues that have been found and what needs to be done to put the problems right if the report highlights any. Don’t wait until you have had an ELECTRIC SHOCK OFF LIGHT SWITCH call your electrician and get them to do the checks now. 

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