An electric shock from a freezer can be caused by static electricity build up on clothes, a damaged freezer power cord, damaged wall socket, and loose wires inside the freezer. This post will attempt to explain how and why someone might be getting a shock from an electrician’s perspective.
How Would An Electric Shock From A Freezer Happen?
An electric shock is an unpleasant sensation which occurs when someone touches an electrically live wire or surface.
This electrically live surface could be the body of the freezer. Touching something electrically live creates a ‘circuit’ allowing current to flow between the live wire and earth.
The earth could be where you are standing, or it could be something else that you are touching which has a better earth connection (such as a metal frame).
When someone is getting an electric shock, current travels along the skin and through organs before reaching earth. This is what causes pain when getting a shock.
The more current and the longer that someone is exposed to current, the worse the electric shock will be.
If someone has a good earth connection (such as standing bare feet on a moist ground), they will get a much bigger shock than someone wearing shoes on dry ground.
As electric shocks have the potential to be seriously hazardous, protective systems are installed in the home to protect people from fatal shocks should a fault occur.
One of these protective systems are Residual current devices (RCD’s). RCDs are devices located in the switchboard which are designed to automatically ‘trip’ when current is leaking to earth (in other words, an electric shock, or risk of one).
RCDs are designed to trip before an electric shock causes permanent damage or death. According to Shock Limits, this is 300 milliseconds with 30 milliamps of shock current.
An RCD tripping within this time is enough to prevent someone from getting heart damage. Elderly and children require more sensitive RCDs.
Freezer Fault Finding
A freezer is typically plugged into a wall socket. It may be plugged into a multi board containing other appliances.
Wall sockets in the home must be protected with an RCD.
The wall socket must also have short circuit and overload protection which is achieved with circuit breakers in the switchboard.
In the main switchboard, the wall outlet the freezer is plugged into will be protected by either a 16A or 20A breaker which is standard for wall outlets. Labelling for the circuit might be ‘freezer’, ‘kitchen’ or ‘garage’ as typical clues.
Before doing any fault finding, it is important to ensure that the freezer is unplugged from the wall socket. This is to prevent any further shocks.
Now, let’s look at reasons why someone might get a shock from a freezer.
Electric Shock From A Freezer? – Reason #1
Static Electricity
Likelihood: High – especially in a low humidity environment.
Static electricity is an electrical charge that builds up on surfaces such as skin, hair and clothes. Touching a freezer could release this charge resulting in an unpleasant electric shock.
Electric Shock From A Freezer? – Reason #2
Damaged Freezer Power Cord
Likelihood: Moderate – if rodents are present or if the cord has been squashed.
The power cord can become damaged resulting in exposed wire strands. These wire strands can indirectly touch the frame or a conductive part of the freezer creating an electric shock hazard. Rodents are known to chew power cords, so it is a good idea to investigate this if rodents have been present in the building.
If the freezer is pushed hard against the wall or another appliance there might be damage to the cord exposing live wires. This is another reason to check the cord.
Electric Shock From A Freezer? – Reason #3
Moisture In Power Socket Or Multi Board
Likelihood: Moderate – especially if there is a flood or leak.
Water getting into the power socket or multi board can create an electric shock hazard. If there is evidence of moisture behind or under the freezer, then this is worth investigating. If water is present it might be a good idea to turn off power at the switchboard before looking further.
Electric Shock From A Freezer? – Reason #4
Loose Or Damaged Wires Inside Freezer
Likelihood: Low – higher if the freezer is old and hasn’t been maintained.
Loose or damaged wires inside the freezer can make contact with the freezer frame creating an electric shock hazard. This is only likely with old and poorly maintained freezers.
Electricians Perspective.
The most likely reason why someone would get a shock from a freezer is static electricity unless the power lead is damaged or there is evidence of moisture around the freezer then it is possible that these are causes too. As always, ensure that the freezer is unplugged before attempting any fault finding.
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