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    Pcfreak's Avatar
    Pcfreak Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 6, 2014, 08:39 AM
    Shock from tap water
    Hi,

    We seem to be having a problem at our apartment for quite sometime now. We get shock on taps due to electricity in water in both the kitchen and bathroom.

    Today, while the shock was present, we tried switching off our main and when we used a tester, it still gave shock. So we think it must be some loose wiring from another apartment. But since this shock keeps going on and off (doesn't stay for a specific time), we are not sure how exactly to perform tests in the other apartments.

    Can anyone please suggest? Thank you.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 6, 2014, 09:28 AM
    Call the apartment maintenance. This is beyond your skill level to diagnosis and the problem is probably outside your apartment.
    Pcfreak's Avatar
    Pcfreak Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 6, 2014, 09:35 AM
    Hi, thanks for replying. We did call the building watchman/maintenance but he's clueless as to how to test correctly because it keeps switching on and off (sometimes by minutes). And since we have a lot of apartments, we need a fool-proof testing method so that the residents don't get fed up and we can find out the problem (checking each apartment) in one go.

    Yes, I'm clueless in this subject but I appreciate any suggestions so that I can convey the same to my maintenance. Thank you.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #4

    Sep 6, 2014, 11:15 AM
    OK, so you are management.
    Time to call an electrician, and call a good one. Won't be easy to trace because it is intermittent. Sounds like a loose neutral on the supply side of a breaker or distribution panel to me. Could even be a power company problem.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #5

    Sep 6, 2014, 03:16 PM
    Second that. Call a competent electrician immediately!

    This is not something apt maintenance can or should handle.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #6

    Sep 6, 2014, 04:23 PM
    Another consideration is whether you have had plumbing word done within the complex and metal (copper) lines were removed and PVC piping was used.

    Doing this changes the bonding of the pipes and will cause differences of potential throughout the complex.

    A relatively simple is to take a length of copper wire and jumper from the metal pipes over the PVC pipes and connect to the metal pipes. Just a thought,
    Pcfreak's Avatar
    Pcfreak Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Sep 6, 2014, 07:42 PM
    Thank you everyone for your inputs. I've spoken to a good electrician and he offered to help. I'll convey your messages to him and let you know if the issue's resolved.
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