Electric Shock From Tap Or Water

What's happening?

A tap shock means you felt current at the fitting. It does not by itself prove an immersion heater, a shower or a bonding conductor has failed. Those are possible sources, along with a washing machine or dishwasher, a cable touching a pipe, or voltage arriving on shared pipes from another home. The supply can also put a dangerous voltage on metalwork joined to the main earth, including water taps, if its combined earth and neutral conductor breaks. A small voltage on that supply earth can be felt too, especially with wet hands. Only tests separate those.

What usually causes it?

• An immersion heater, electric shower, washing machine or dishwasher leaking current onto pipework
• A cable damaged where it touches a pipe
• Bonding that is loose, broken or missing
• Voltage on shared pipes from another home
• A broken combined earth and neutral on the electricity supply, or a small voltage on that supply earth

Is it dangerous?

Yes. Wet skin and bare feet make a shock worse, which is why a bathroom is a high-risk place to feel it. Call 999 if someone is unconscious or not breathing normally, and do not touch them while they are still holding the tap. 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 touch the tap again. Do not use any tap, including the cold tap and an outside tap, or the bath, shower or metal pipes. In England, Scotland and Wales call 105 and say a tap gave a shock. That free call goes to the electricity network, not the company on your bill. Ask an electrician to test the installation. A quote does not replace either call. Switch the main switch off only if you can reach and operate it without touching suspect metal or standing in water. If you are not sure, keep away. Switching it off does not make the plumbing safe: the IET records that current on the supply earth can remain after the installation is isolated, including from another property on shared pipes. Get drinking water from somewhere that does not use these taps. Tell them which tap, whether water was running, whether the shock was brief, whether a breaker moved, whether a neighbour has the same problem, and whether anyone is hurt.

When should you call an electrician?

Call 105 and an electrician before anyone uses the taps or shower again. Call 999 first if someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, or badly burned.

What will the electrician actually do?

• Find out whether the network operator has checked the supply
• Test the pipes for voltage, including with the installation isolated
• Test bonding and the appliances that connect to the water
• Prove dead before working, test the protective device, repair only what the tests identify, and retest

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. IET: Broken PEN
2. IET: hot tubs, open PEN and RCDs
3. Electrical Safety First: first aid for electric shock
4. HSE: electrical injuries
5. Call 105 for the local electricity network
6. St John Ambulance: electric shock