[Question] Electrical Charge in shower

[p2380196]

I have had a problem with an electrical charge (tingling on touching taps and hand shower rail).
The intensity varies but I can not find a pattern (time of day, rain etc.) Last night there was an actual "flash" from the shower head while taking a shower.
The geyser is a solar installed on an IBR roof. Installation was done by a reputed company.
I have a 1m copper earth installed at the entry point of the water pipe to the house
The pipes in the house are galvanized (old) and copper (solar geyser)
Various electricians have all not been able to come up with a solution.
I would like a reference to an electrician/plumber in the Pretoria area with proven experience in this type of problem please.
Alan

[Justloadit]

Is there a mains electrical element for back up heating?

[p2380196]

Thanks for reply.
Yes. Also a timer at DB.Timer on or off, makes no difference.
Had a shower last night without any problems. (!!)
Have not tried to experiment with circuitbreakers off.
Alan

[Dave A]

The geyser is a solar installed on an IBR roof. Installation was done by a reputed company.

Is there a mains electrical element for back up heating?

Thanks for reply.
Yes. Also a timer at DB.

Did this reputable company issue you with an electrical COC for the work they did on the electrical installation?

[Justloadit]

Thanks for reply.
Yes. Also a timer at DB.Timer on or off, makes no difference.
Had a shower last night without any problems. (!!)
Have not tried to experiment with circuitbreakers off.
Alan

The timer only disconnects the live of the geyser circuit, not the neutral. I suspect that there is a Neutral/Earth problem in your installation, or alternatively there is a Neutral/Earth problem in the supply to your home.
Do get it checked out as this is extremely dangerous.

[HR Solutions]

Do u have an electric fence ? If u do is the earth spike close ? Or is the earth wire connected to the outside pipe that is used for ventilation ?

[p2380196]

I do have an e/fence which was installed 15 years ago.
The problem started after building a flat on the garage.
Before that there was no problem.
I have had NO problem in the shower over the weekend. Maybe I was a very good earth!!
This is what makes this so frustrating; it is intermittent with no pattern.

[HR Solutions]

Just because it was installed 15 years ago does not mean it cannot be the problem - anything could have happened when you did the alterations.
I would suggest that if it happens again to turn off your electric fence and go straight back in the shower and see if it still happens - this would either eliminate the fence or you will know it is the fence if it has stopped.

[AndyD]

These tingling in the shower problems can be an absolute swine to locate because in those circumstances (bare feet, wet hands etc) you will be able to feel a fault current as low as a couple of miliamps and leakage currents that small are notoriously difficult to see on test equipment. Even good quality earth leakage clamp meters rarely give a meaningful reading with a current of a couple of miliamps.

If you can't locate it by deduction, which it sounds like you won't if there no discernable pattern, you're going to have to get an electrician with a full range of test equipment, good knowledge and experience in using it and one who has the patience of a saint. I'd also be prepared to pay him a fair hourly rate and expect that it might take more than one visit to remedy.