Electric Shock From A Radiator

[David Cockburn]

Hi All,

I recently received an electric shock from a radiator.

According to the EAWR a "conductor means a conductor of electrical energy".

A radiator is made of metal and is therefore by definition 'a conductor of electrical energy'.

The EAWR regulation 8 says "precautions shall be taken by earthing or other suitable means, to prevent danger arising when any conductor (other than a circuit conductor) which may reasonably foreseeably become charged as a result of either the use of a system, or a fault in a system, becomes so charged..."

My question is therefore "why are radiators not currently being earthed"?

 

[binky]

parallel earth paths back to bonding via gas and water - assuming copper pipework through out central heating system then cross sectional area of pipe is 'huge' compared to avaerage bonding cable. So if there is a conductive path back to boiler then you should have decent earthing connection. If plumbing isn't copper, then there should be no earth path, or very limited earth path via water in pipes - basically water in over 1m of plastic pipe offers too high a resistance to be considered a conductive path.

Sure it wasn't static discharge from nylon carpets?

 

[David Cockburn]

No it certainly wasn't static, my feet were still wet from coming out of the shower and the shock was quite severe as I was putting a wet towel onto the radiator.

 

[steptoe]

Is this a central heating radiator or am electric radiator?

 

[David Cockburn]

Central heating.

 

[Sharpend]

Is this the same mr Cockburn that has written books about earthing and bonding?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1449041612?pc_redir=1413923183&robot_redir=1 ???

 

[David Cockburn]

I certainly tried.

 

[roys]

Is this the same mr Cockburn that has written books about earthing and bonding?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1449041612?pc_redir=1413923183&robot_redir=1 ???

Well done Sherlock sorry I meant Sharpend

 

[David Cockburn]

Does that make a difference then?

 

[Blue Duck]

Oh dear...

 

[sprocketflup]

probs not as far as the earthing is concerned........

 

[David Cockburn]

How do you mean?

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

The door handle & hinges on my doors are not earthed either . Do you want to return to the 15th edition of BS7671.

 

[steptoe]

I think you need an electrician.  

 

[binky]

so the postee knows the answer to his own question???

 

[Blue Duck]

Have you read the reviews of the book? Perhaps he's trying to put things right?

Crittle windows :slap we still got a load of rad clamps :lol:

 

[Sidewinder]

Mr Cockburn caused quite a stir on the IET forums, I believe he has also been banned from another independent electrical forum.

Suffice to say, Mr. Cockburns book was reviewed by the IET & believed to be dangerously inaccurate.

IIRC, he is unable to give proofs for his theories beyond flawed anectdotal experiments.

If his manners remain polite then we will consider allowing him to attempt to peddle his dangerous ideas for the time being.

 

[ProDave]

So has the OP posted here to advertise his book?

If he knows enough about earthing to write a book about it, then why post on a forum asking a question about it. Isn't that what a troll does?

All very strange behaviour.

 

[Apache]

To be honest the OP could have joined with an alias and pretended to be someone else, he came out with his real name - thanks for that.

i don't mind if people ask questions they know the answer to, it can be a very useful learning opportunity. This is a discussion form after-all.

I do second what Sidewinder says - the OP is more than welcome, as long as things remain polite.

 

[Sidewinder]

PD that is the point, he knows nothing about earthing & bonding, if his book is anything to go by, have a look at the reviews.

It is inaccurate to the point of being dangerous,mas confirmed by the IET, and several other eminant members of our profession.

He has been banned for trolling on another forum, & I'm not sure about the IET site.