Shock in shower/ Utility Company Dumbfounded

Sierevello · 06-08-2011, 01:17 AM

The utility company just left after being here for 3 hours.

They looked in panel and everything was OK.

They pulled the meter and still had 2v on cast iron drain pipe to tub and surrounding waste pipes.

Then they drove another 8' ground rod and used new #4 solid copper to bond it to the panel ground to make sure it was good.

Tested again... Still 2 volts on pipes and tub.

Then they unhooked the transformer... Still 2 volts on pipe and tub.

And the kicker is there is continuity between the tub drain and the faucet knobs that are acting as the path to ground.

What on earth is going on here???

Does anyone have any idea?

The pipes are galvanized steel and cast iron. I know there is galvanic corrosion after 60 years, but enough to become a battery? The other thing is that the meter shows no DC voltage... only AC. Also, the charge does not disapate after shocking you. It remains right around 2 volts...

Is it OK to just drive another rod and run the ground from the waste pipe to that or is it OK to bond it to the cold water pipe either at the panel or jumper from the waste pipe to the closest cold water pipe?

Clearly this has nothing to do with the house power or the utility company.

Thanks

frenchelectrican · 06-08-2011, 01:26 AM

I just reply in the other thread so read it there and again .,, Please get a electrician come in and assist you on this matter.

C'est la situation très sérieuse tout de suite.

( This is a very serious situation right now )

Merci,
Marc

kbsparky · 06-08-2011, 04:39 AM

Are the water pipes directly bonded to the drain pipe? That usually eliminates any potential difference (e.g: VOLTAGE) between them.

Proper bonding is not accomplished by wrapping wires around the pipes. Listed bonding clamps must be utilized ...

electures · 06-08-2011, 09:41 AM

The utility companies use the earth as the return path to the generation station. This causes all types of stray currents to show up anywhere. Hence the reason for equipotential bonding grids around pools. Dairy farmers have known about this for years which is why the ramps into the milking barns have equipotential bonding grids installed in them. I think your problem may be effected by this some how.

Good luck!

diyorpay · 06-08-2011, 11:41 AM

Do you have a utility pole or transmission line very close to this bathroom/your home? Electromagnetic fields are controversial.

powerfactor · 06-08-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sierevello

Clearly this has nothing to do with the house power or the utility company.
Thanks

Not so fast. Did they disconnect all the surrounding houses as well? If not the problem may be at a neighbors house and returning on your grounding or grounded conductor.

SD515 · 06-08-2011, 01:11 PM

My suspicions too powerfactor.

powerfactor · 06-08-2011, 01:31 PM

This type of problem has even been found to travel on metal plumbing pipes, cablevision lines, gas lines or any other metal connection to the house.

dmxtothemax · 06-08-2011, 06:39 PM

Can you disconnect the tub from the main ground,
Isolate it completely (plumb with plastic pipes)
Then give the tub its very own seperate ground rod.

This way it is not connectted to the system,
But it is still earthed !

Does the code permit this ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sierevello

The utility company just left after being here for 3 hours.

They looked in panel and everything was OK.

They pulled the meter and still had 2v on cast iron drain pipe to tub and surrounding waste pipes.

Then they drove another 8' ground rod and used new #4 solid copper to bond it to the panel ground to make sure it was good.

Tested again... Still 2 volts on pipes and tub.

Then they unhooked the transformer... Still 2 volts on pipe and tub.

And the kicker is there is continuity between the tub drain and the faucet knobs that are acting as the path to ground.

What on earth is going on here???

Does anyone have any idea?

The pipes are galvanized steel and cast iron. I know there is galvanic corrosion after 60 years, but enough to become a battery? The other thing is that the meter shows no DC voltage... only AC. Also, the charge does not disapate after shocking you. It remains right around 2 volts...

Is it OK to just drive another rod and run the ground from the waste pipe to that or is it OK to bond it to the cold water pipe either at the panel or jumper from the waste pipe to the closest cold water pipe?

Clearly this has nothing to do with the house power or the utility company.

Thanks

frenchelectrican · 06-08-2011, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmxtothemax

Can you disconnect the tub from the main ground,
Isolate it completely (plumb with plastic pipes)
Then give the tub its very own seperate ground rod.

This way it is not connectted to the system,
But it is still earthed !

Does the code permit this ?

I have no idea where you get that idea about get the tub on seperated ground rods that is conneries* .,,,,

I will not suggest to do this at all the only way you can slove it is do the proper bonding as I mention somewhere else in the fourm have a electrician to come out and assist you on this one there is not much leeway to screw around with it.

Merci,
Marc

* this word you will have to look it up yourself.

sirsparksalot · 06-09-2011, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchelectrican

...that is conneries*

Leah Frances · 06-09-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirsparksalot

I googled it too.

frenchelectrican · 06-09-2011, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirsparksalot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leah Frances

I googled it too.

I know both of you were little suprised with my reaction.

But I am sorry for saying this but some peoples have to understand the nature of electrique system that something you CAN not fool around for nothing.

And also the other reason why I was a little harsh due some people will come up some of the idea which we electricians will know they will not really get it thru in proper way.

dmxtothemax.,

Unforetally the question you asked in the fourm that is not a really safe situation as you are aware with the OP's issue going on as you may allready noted in couple other threads in this fourm.

again sorry if I was harsh on one comment but for safety for other peoples sake in the fourm I have to use the common sense what is safe et what not.,,

( I have see some crazy stuff in my 20+ years in my trade )

Merci,
Marc

sirsparksalot · 06-09-2011, 02:18 AM

LOL, Marc, it's all good. We got a kick out of the fact that we actually Googled the word, and we now understand it completely :-)

dmxtothemax · 06-09-2011, 06:17 AM

Didnt he already say that it was properly bonded ?
And that the problem still exists ?

Perhaps another nearby instalation is not bonded correctly,
causing eddy currents.

Or just plain capacitive coupling.

It will be interesting to find out the true cause .