Electric shock from light switch? Depending on where the electrical current enters and exits your body, an electric shock can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. This post aims to shed some light on why you might be getting an electric shock from a light switch, from an electrician’s perspective including how you can fix the solution and make your home safer.
Why You Are Getting A Shock From A Light Switch
An electric shock happens when you touch a live wire, or conductive metal or wet surface while having contact with the ground.
This causes electrical current to pass through your body. The current enters from the point of contact (your finger for example) with the conductive surface and exits at the point of contact with the ground (your feet for example).
Electric shocks are dangerous because the electrical current can pass through organs (such as your heart) while travelling between your finger and feet. Note, depending on where you make contact with the electrically live surface and the earth, the electrical current may take a different path through the body.
Also, the stronger the shock and the more time that someone is exposed to a shock, the higher the likelihood of it being dangerous or potentially fatal. This is why regulations and devices exist to shut off circuits before that happens.
How To Protect Yourself From A Electric Shock
There are regulations in most jurisdictions about protecting people from electric shocks.
The main device to do this is called a Residual Current Device or RCD.
An RCD is designed to shut off power (within a specific time frame, milliseconds) to a circuit when current leaks to earth (or someone gets a shock). It does this before the current gets too high and before someone is shocked for too long to pose a risk.
If you have gotten an electric shock from a light switch, you should check whether a RCD has tripped inside of your switchboard.
If you have an older switchboard, or see that no RCD has tripped then that is not a good sign.
It means that nothing is protecting you when an electric shock occurs. In this case you should consult with a registered electrician as soon as possible.
Electric Shock From Light Switch? – Reason #1
Faulty Switch Mechanism
A faulty switch mechanism can definitely cause an electric shock. Over time, a light switch can wear down due to wear and tear causing the plastic parts of the switch to break exposing live electrical contacts. This is especially true with cheaper switch brands and switches that have been used a lot. When someone goes to use the switch they get a shock, especially if their hands have moisture.
Electric Shock From Light Switch? – Reason #2
Conductive Light Switch Not Earthed
Custom light switches might contain a switch cover or component which is electrically conductive. If this isn’t earthed, or the lighting circuit isn’t on RCD it’s possible that someone will get an electric shock when pressing the light switch.
Electric Shock From Light Switch? – Reason #3
Water Or Wet Hands On Light Switch
If the light switch is loose or damaged, water can get inside if there is an accident. It is possible that someone with wet hands pressing the light switch gets a shock when moisture gets inside of the switch mechanism.
Electric Shock From Light Switch? – Reason #4
Damaged Wire Touching Conductive Part
Damaged wires often occur because wires have been overtightened. A damaged live wire or neutral can result in an electric shock when pressing the light switch. The live wire might be touching a conductive part of the switch mechanism (such as a spring) or a screw. The entire switch might be conductive due to salt being present on the surface of the switch.
Electric Shock From Light Switch? – Reason #5
Loose Wire Touching Conductive Part
Loose wires occur because the wires have been under tightened. Similar to the above, it can become a danger because the rogue live wire can come into contact with someone, either directly or indirectly and give them an electric shock.
Electric Shock From Light Switch? – Reason #6
Wired Wrong
Sometimes homeowners try to do their own wiring. Often this can produce disastrous results. A common example is when someone transposes the live wire with the neutral or earth, resulting in the earthed component becoming live, resulting in an electric shock.
Conclusion
Electric shock from light switch? Some of the most common reasons why this is occurring include loose or damaged wires, faulty light switch mechanisms, conductive light switch surfaces, moisture on the light switch or incorrect wiring.
We Fix Faults is all about domestic electrical faults. If you want more information, feel free to sign up to our mailing list below.