Electric Shock When Touching A Socket

What's happening?

A socket shock means the plate, the shutters or the contacts were live while you touched them. Shutters stop fingers reaching into the holes. They do nothing if the plate itself is live. Possible causes include a loose connection, damaged cable, a cracked plate, worn contacts, or a wider earth fault if more than one socket does it. A metal plate may be connected to the installation earth, so a supply fault can raise its voltage, or that connection may be missing. The shock does not prove which.

What usually causes it?

• A loose connection or damaged cable at the socket
• A cracked plate or worn contacts
• A metal faceplate affected by an earth or supply fault
• The same fault appearing at more than one socket
• An appliance with a damaged plug, felt as the plug goes in

Is it dangerous?

Yes. Sockets are at child height, and a shock while inserting a plug can also mean damaged contacts that overheat. A brief tingle is enough to stop using it. Call 999 if someone is unconscious or not breathing normally, and do not touch them while they are still against the socket. If they seem well, still get a medical assessment: Electrical Safety First says injury, including a disturbed heart rhythm, may not show at once.

Can I fix it myself?

Do not use the socket, do not plug anything else in, and do not take the faceplate off. Switch off that circuit, or the main switch if you cannot tell which breaker it is, only if you can reach and operate it without touching suspect metal or standing in water. If you are not sure, keep away and call. Scorch marks or a burning smell are signs to report, not a diagnosis. If taps, radiators or several metal fittings shock you as well, keep off them and call 105 in England, Scotland and Wales as well as an electrician. The main switch does not clear a supply fault on bonded metal. Tell them which socket, whether a plug was going in, whether the plate is metal, whether anything tripped, and whether anyone is hurt.

When should you call an electrician?

Have the socket tested before it is used again, including when several sockets, a metal plate with nothing plugged in, or the plumbing are involved.

What will the electrician actually do?

• Prove the circuit dead, then inspect the socket and the cable behind it
• Test earth continuity, polarity and insulation
• Check other sockets before treating it as a single damaged plate
• Replace the parts the tests show are damaged
• Test the protective device and retest after the repair

Who fixes this

• Emergency electrician
• Electrical fault finding

What it usually costs

Emergency Electrician Cost

£80–£100 / hour

Electrical Fault Finding Cost

Priced on survey

Questions people ask

Sources & References

1. HSE: work using electrically powered equipment (RCD)
2. Electrical Safety First: first aid for electric shock
3. IET: Broken PEN
4. HSE: electrical injuries
5. St John Ambulance: electric shock