worgeordie Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 So for the washing machine and other appliances I have a UK 3 pin gang switch , earthed , there are 3 switches on it, today switching the washer on ,got a slight shock off the switch , when i asked the wife if she had ever gotten shock before ,she said a couple of times. Testing with an electrical screwdriver , it only lights up on the one switch ,the rest of the socket ,switches ,pattress ,don't light up , how can I receive a shock when the switch is plastic ???? that's the mystery to me ,its not wet or damp either...... regards worgeordie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sometimewoodworker Posted October 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, worgeordie said: So for the washing machine and other appliances I have a UK 3 pin gang switch , earthed , there are 3 switches on it, today switching the washer on ,got a slight shock off the switch , when i asked the wife if she had ever gotten shock before ,she said a couple of times. I’m not at all sure exactly what is meant by a 3 gang switch, your description seems rather individualistic ???????? so a picture might help. Also that it is U.K. format (I assume socket) doesn’t mean that it is actually compliant with the relevant BS numbers on it. It could easily be a c*r*a*p*y Chinese knock-off, so an investigation of the back of it may show why there is a problem. FWIW BigClive on YouTube has taken apart a significant number of products like this and you would be amazed at the corners cut and dangers lurking. Edited October 4, 2022 by sometimewoodworker 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lantern Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 A three gang switch is a plate with three switches on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Lantern said: A three gang switch is a plate with three switches on it. @Lantern That that terminology I understand, however the characterisation of it as a U.K. unit and mention of “the socket” means that exactly what configuration is meant is unclear. the “UK 3 pin gang switch” is unclear as exactly to what it is, there are several different possibilities. Edited October 4, 2022 by sometimewoodworker 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 2baht Posted October 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted October 4, 2022 3 hours ago, worgeordie said: that's the mystery to me Obviously bad spirits at work! Phi, careful Wor. 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post VocalNeal Posted October 4, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted October 4, 2022 3 hours ago, worgeordie said: how can I receive a shock when the switch is plastic ???? Static? 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnOFphon Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 Probably a faulty plug. Also the ground might not be complete...Check for power from hot to ground. should have. Neutral to ground....no no. A static shock is a lot different than a current, or voltage shock., I know from experience... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 1 minute ago, JohnOFphon said: A static shock is a lot different than a current, or voltage shock., I know from experience... Agreed, but we don't know what kind "shock|" the OP received. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) 35 minutes ago, VocalNeal said: Static? It's more than static , and why on only 1 of he 3 switches To clarify its a 3 gang 3 pin 13 amp socket switched , UK style MK made not Chinese <deleted> , I will take it apart in a while ,see if I can see problem. regards worgeordie Edited October 4, 2022 by worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryq Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 Sounds like it's just a triple, switched outlet,(3 switches and 3 outlets on one plate) A long shot, but is the area behind the plate full of ants nest or other debris causing a leakage? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, worgeordie said: It's more than static , and why on only 1 of he 3 switches To clarify its a 3 gang 3 pin 13 amp socket switched , UK style MK made not Chinese <deleted> , I will take it apart in a while ,see if I can see problem. regards worgeordie OK that is more clear, though it is far less than certain that it is sure that it is made in the U.K. There are quality products produced in China for U.K. companies. There are also c*r*a*p products that exactly copy the U.K. quality products made in China but use c*r*a*p materials and manufacturing. There are very few products actually made in the U.K. It will be educational to see pictures of the rear. It is also possible that it has been miss assembled or even miss wired, but is actually a quality item, or that there is something else going on. Edited October 4, 2022 by sometimewoodworker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardano Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 5 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said: @Lantern That that terminology I understand, however the characterisation of it as a U.K. unit and mention of “the socket” means that exactly what configuration is meant is unclear. the “UK 3 pin gang switch” is unclear as exactly to what it is, there are several different possibilities. I assume this is what the op is referring to, maybe he can confirm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardano Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 5 hours ago, VocalNeal said: Static? You cannot receive an electrical shock from plastic as it is not a conductor of electrical current. As for static it needs friction to occur. Only possible thing I can think of is that the socket has a metallic back box that is connected to earth and as such the socket steel retaining screws are also connected to earth. If there is an earth fault then it is possible the screw heads could be the culprit. The only way to find the problem is with a multi-meter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffy D Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 4 hours ago, terryq said: Sounds like it's just a triple, switched outlet,(3 switches and 3 outlets on one plate) A long shot, but is the area behind the plate full of ants nest or other debris causing a leakage? Or water, damp, humidity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 4, 2022 Share Posted October 4, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, Cardano said: I assume this is what the op is referring to, maybe he can confirm. That is certainly likely though the fuse in that version is almost certainly completely non standard, if not actually against the relevant regulations. Edited October 4, 2022 by sometimewoodworker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyf Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 12:53 PM, JohnOFphon said: A static shock is a lot different than a current, or voltage shock. Garbage, all electric shock is basically the same, electric current passing through the body. How any electric shock feels will depend on the level of current which is to a certain extent dependent on the supply source, contact resistance and what part of the body it passes through. It was common practice for electricians to test the supply by putting 2 fingers across live and neutral. The real danger comes when the current passes through the heart. Static is effectively a discharge so only instantaneous, as is a shock from a capacitor. When I was at school 3 lads from the year below me were watching cricket when the rain came. They took shelter under a tree and the tree was struck by lightning, 2 died and the survivor was found naked without a hair on his body. He told me later it felt like his feet were on fire and then hit over the head with a hammer. The conclusion was his clothes had been wet enough to offer a lower resistance path to the current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtrnuno41 Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Logically thinking, I would say, the switch is of inferior quality. Wrong plastic used or made. It started to guide power. Dont know how much amps it will switch. Maybe carbon inside developed, burning plastic, sparking of contacts. Then it starts to loose the protection by plastic. Carbon is a conductor. The switch is in the metal housing? Then as it is grounded, it shouldnt give a shock. There for the grounding isnt working properly. Not connected in machine on housing or anywhere else? Or grounding resistance (placed earth rod, total system) is too high and then you are lower in resistance and get shocked. Static electricity also would be led to ground if properly grounded. If switch is NOT mounted in ground connected metal housing then ground has no effect. There for, replace all of your breakers for RCBO's or just have at least one in mainline. However with just one placed, you have to figure out when, where and with what it goes wrong as all power switches off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardano Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 20 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said: That is certainly likely though the fuse in that version is almost certainly completely non standard, if not actually against the relevant regulations. Sorry but what fuse are you talking about, there's no fuse in a socket outlet, it's protect by the fuse at the main distribution board. The product shown is a UK version manufactured by MK and fully compliant with all relevant regulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 1 hour ago, Cardano said: Sorry but what fuse are you talking about, there's no fuse in a socket outlet, it's protect by the fuse at the main distribution board. The product shown is a UK version manufactured by MK and fully compliant with all relevant regulations. The picture you show has a fuse position beside the left most socket immediately under the left most switch. There is no reason for that removable cover unless it is to allow for a fuse to be installed or replaced. That is why I question if it is compliant as I know of no U.K. products that have such a cover where it is not for a fuse, and no U.K. socket would need one given that all U.K. plugs have fuses anyway. Of course the picture is such low quality that there could be a different explanation, if so what is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomchaiDIY Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 24 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said: The picture you show has a fuse position beside the left most socket immediately under the left most switch. There is no reason for that removable cover unless it is to allow for a fuse to be installed or replaced. That is why I question if it is compliant as I know of no U.K. products that have such a cover where it is not for a fuse, and no U.K. socket would need one given that all U.K. plugs have fuses anyway. Of course the picture is such low quality that there could be a different explanation, if so what is it? some search using text from other post has good results MK K2737WHI 13 amp 3-Gang Double-Pole Switch Socket more detail show it is 3 ways socket with protect fuse and is british standard product good photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardano Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 38 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said: The picture you show has a fuse position beside the left most socket immediately under the left most switch. There is no reason for that removable cover unless it is to allow for a fuse to be installed or replaced. That is why I question if it is compliant as I know of no U.K. products that have such a cover where it is not for a fuse, and no U.K. socket would need one given that all U.K. plugs have fuses anyway. Of course the picture is such low quality that there could be a different explanation, if so what is it? 38 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said: The picture you show has a fuse position beside the left most socket immediately under the left most switch. There is no reason for that removable cover unless it is to allow for a fuse to be installed or replaced. That is why I question if it is compliant as I know of no U.K. products that have such a cover where it is not for a fuse, and no U.K. socket would need one given that all U.K. plugs have fuses anyway. Of course the picture is such low quality that there could be a different explanation, if so what is it? Good catch, never noticed the 13A fuse and must admit have never seen one on a socket face-plate before. But that aside it's definitely MK and widely available in UK and fully compliant with UK regulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extercy Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 (edited) Wet hands and water goes into the switch. Water will stay at the switch for a while hence the electric shock. My guess anyways. Edited October 5, 2022 by extercy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sometimewoodworker Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 2 hours ago, SomchaiDIY said: some search using text from other post has good results MK K2737WHI 13 amp 3-Gang Double-Pole Switch Socket more detail show it is 3 ways socket with protect fuse and is british standard product good photo That is exactly as I thought. Though I can’t see a reason for a fuse there. Did you find anything saying why it has a fuse or how many of the sockets are protected? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 1:19 PM, worgeordie said: It's more than static , and why on only 1 of he 3 switches To clarify its a 3 gang 3 pin 13 amp socket switched , UK style MK made not Chinese <deleted> , I will take it apart in a while ,see if I can see problem. regards worgeordie Sounds like a dodgy wire inside the unit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grusa Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 On 10/4/2022 at 1:19 PM, worgeordie said: It's more than static , and why on only 1 of he 3 switches To clarify its a 3 gang 3 pin 13 amp socket switched , UK style MK made not Chinese <deleted> , I will take it apart in a while ,see if I can see problem. regards worgeordie Photo needed! What make?....MK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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