Electric shock from inside washing machine? Static electricity build up on your clothes can cause this. Electrical faults inside the washing machine including damaged, loose wires or even a damaged cord or plug could be why someone might get a shock. This post will try and explain what might be happening from the perspective of an electrician.
How An Electric Shock Occurs
An electric shock occurs when contact is made between a surface with voltage and earth. This connection creates a circuit which allows current to travel through the body from the point of voltage to earth. This results in the unpleasant sensation of an ‘electric shock’.
Electric shocks can cause a lot of damage depending on the route that the electric current takes through the body, the intensity of the shock, the time exposed to the shock and how well someone is connected to ‘earth’ (for example – someone standing on damp ground barefooted has a better connection to earth than someone wearing rubber boots).
Due to the danger of electric shocks it is important that homes are wired in such a way to prevent electric shocks from occurring (and if they do, protective devices such as RCD’s stop the shock from causing long term damage or death).
Protection Against Electric Shocks
Modern homes have several measures in place to protect against electric shocks. The main ways of doing this include installing residual current devices (RCDs), earthing all conductive surfaces and ensuring that all appliances and fittings are installed sensibly (for example – NOT installing a 230v light fitting in a shower and other dumb things like that).
Firstly, lets discuss RCDs.
RCD’s are a relatively modern invention designed to shut off power when a current imbalance is detected (an electric shock is occurring with current passing through someone’s body!). As mentioned earlier, time and current strength are critical factors determining how damaging a shock will be therefore an RCD needs to shut off power within a certain time and current strength to limit damage to someone. Typically this is 30 milliamps of current within 300 milliseconds. An RCD will trip when this occurs.
For an RCD to trip we need a good earthing system and also to ensure that all surfaces that could give us a shock are bonded to the earthing system.
A washing machine will have all metal surfaces bonded to earth via the wall outlet it is plugged into.
This ensures that no hazardous voltages can appear on a metal surface (such as the inside of a washing machine) resulting in an unsuspecting person receiving an electric shock.
To prevent electric shocks, rules for installing electrical fittings and appliances in wet areas are very important.
This means following electrical regulations for installing appliances and fittings in or around showers, baths and basins.
Electric Shock From Inside Washing Machine – Reason #1
Static Electricity Buildup On Body, Clothes, Hair
Static electricity can build up on the body, clothes or hair before getting discharged resulting in an electric shock. An electric shock can be made worse if you touch a well earthed object, such as the conductive surface of the inside of a washing machine. As mentioned earlier, the washing machine is connected to the home’s earthing system via its cord therefore likely to have a very good connection to earth. If you had a good static charge buildup then touched the inside of the washing machine, there is a good chance that you will get a decent electric shock.
Electric Shock From Inside Washing Machine – Reason #2
Loose Wire, Damaged Wire Inside Washing Machine
A loose or damaged wire inside the washing machine may have light contact with the body of the machine. Touching this would result in an electric shock. If you want to check the washing machine for loose or damaged wires, ensure that the machine is unplugged before doing so.
Electric Shock From Inside Washing Machine – Reason #3
Damaged Cord Or Plug
Electrical cords can become damaged due to wear and tear, heat, abrasion and even rodent chewing. When this happens this can expose copper wire. Contact with this leads to electric shock. The plug can also become damaged over time and need replacing.
Conclusion
Electric shock from inside washing machine? Static electricity is the most likely reason why this is happening. It’s also important to make sure that other more dangerous electrical faults aren’t present such as loose, damaged or exposed wires. Also ensure that your homes electrical protection system is up to scratch which means good earthing, RCD protection and making sure appliances and fittings aren’t installed in ‘wet areas’.
We Fix Faults is a blog dedicated to common faults around the home. If you’ve got ideas for what we should talk about feel free to send us a message at the contact page above.