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tundra69 · Jan 30, 2011, 01:56 PM

Hi, I need to know if you can receive a shock from an electrical panel, while you are resetting an overloaded breaker that trips quite often. This breaker supplied power to two 220 v appliances and when they were used at the same time they tripped. I know this is a code violation. This panel is ina basement with humidity problems, and the floor in front of the panel is concrete and always wet. Thank you for your help

ma0641 · Jan 30, 2011, 02:32 PM

Yes you could get seriously shocked, particularly with a wet floor. Who connected 2 240V appliances to the breaker? Not only is it a code violation, you are lucky the breaker tripped or you could have a burned down house. Since this is a service panel issue with the wiring and shock exposure, have a qualified electrician investigate the source of the problem.

tkrussell · Jan 31, 2011, 04:27 AM

??

Can you explain exactly how I would get a shock resetting a circuit breaker?

If anyone gets a shock from a panel while resetting a breaker, there are other more serious problems.

Otherwise, any circuit breaker can be reset without fear of shock.

stanfortyman · Jan 31, 2011, 04:46 AM

I am with TK on this one. I am not sure what you are talking about. :confused:

Originally Posted by ma0641

Since this is a service panel issue with the wiring and shock exposure, .....

Maybe you are assuming there is no cover on the panel? I don't see where you get this from though.

Handyman2007 · Jan 31, 2011, 07:35 AM

I would get an electrician in to check out that entire panel. Firstly, there is some reason why there is constant nuisance tripping of that breaker. And YES! If there is exposed wiring or no cover on the panel... IT CAN KILL YOU! Hire and electrician. May be costly but what is your property and life worth??

ma0641 · Jan 31, 2011, 05:15 PM

My initial understanding was they were getting a shock when touching the service panel. Maybe I misread.

stanfortyman · Jan 31, 2011, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Handyman2007

I would get an electrician in to check out that entire panel.

WHY?

Originally Posted by Handyman2007

Firstly, there is some reason why there is constant nuisance tripping of that breaker.

The reason is stated in the original post. Two appliances, that should probably have their own circuit, share a circuit.

Originally Posted by Handyman2007

...and YES! If there is exposed wiring or no cover on the panel...IT CAN KILL YOU!!

True, but NOTHING in the OP even suggests this. :confused:

tundra69 · Feb 1, 2011, 05:24 AM

My girlfriend was seriously shocked under these conditions at work and I cannot find an electrician here in Canada who will say this could happen. Yes they were fined and forced to use two breakers, they had a dishwasher and stove both 220 on one.

stanfortyman · Feb 1, 2011, 05:32 AM

So you are asking if it is theoretically possible? Well sure. Anything is possible under the right conditions. Anything can be so messed up that it becomes dangerous. And no, you cannot quote me on that.

I thought the questions was can you get shocked resetting a breaker under normal conditions. The answer to that is NO.

stanfortyman · Feb 1, 2011, 05:35 AM

BTW, the fact that two appliances were on one breaker had NOTHING to do with her getting shocked.