Shocking stuff!!!?????

Question

My boyfriend is a butcher- recently their shop was refurbished and new metal counters were put in place. All the workers including my boyfriend are complaining that they are getting electric shocks from the new counters! There was alot of electrical works done on the premises aswell etc moving weighing scales, pricing machines, lights etc.

What is causing the electric shocks? Built up static electricity? Items not being "bonded"- if so can any one explain what bonding is?

Answer 1

They need to call in a licenced electrician right away

Answer 2

Something hasn't been Earthed.

Answer 3

If you ground the countertop everything will be okay even static electricity buildup.  to do this run a wire from the countertop to a metal support for the building.

Answer 4

Faulty wiring and steel don't mix well.  I'm surprised the workers were able to do their job.

Answer 5

The polarity has been reversed and it is dangerous. Call them back to fix ASAP.

Answer 6

Electrics are not correctly earthed.

Answer 7

If the shop has had some rewiring done I would call the electricians back. Having worked in butchers shops servicing refrigeration equipment over the years I would doubt that its a static shock that they are receiving. Ideally the distribution board should have an RCD (Residual Current Device) or similar which would shut the supply off in the event of what you have described.

Bonding means that the metal parts are all connected by earth wire back to the incoming mains distribution board. Which shoud also avoid the above problem. Its also (I believe) a legal requirement these days.

Good luck and make sure that your boyfriend wears rubber soled shoes and dosent touch any metal parts !!!

Answer 8

you need to ensure that all metal work is bonded to earth

this will direct all static charges to earth

all the bonding conductors should be connected to earth with the gas & water main

this is a legal requirement of the regs

any electrical earth fault should trip the RCD if fitted at the distribution board

Answer 9

sounds like summats earthing out on the new fittings

Answer 10

Sounds like it hasn't been wired properly.

Answer 11

Tell him to get them either to get the Electrician back, or better still get a QUALIFIED electrician in asap as it sounds like the work has not been carried out properly & may need earth cables & contact breakers etc fitted correctly.

Bonding is term for attaching a cable from any metal item like a sink top or bath etc. to a water pipe or similar so that any current will pass to earth & NOT TO PEOPLE