Electric shock from refrigerator? Possible reasons why this has happened include insulation failure resulting in the live wire coming in contact with conductive parts, transposed wires in a powerpoint the fridge is plugged into. The shock could even be caused by another faulty appliance in contact with the refrigerator. This post will try to give ideas as to why this is happening and what you can do about it.
Why Would Someone Get An Electric Shock From A Refrigerator?
An electrical shock occurs when someone makes contact between a ‘live’ electrical source and earth. When this happens a circuit is made and electrical current is able to pass through the body giving someone a painful shock or worse.
An electric shock is made worse depending on how strong the current is and how long someone is exposed to it. The longer someone gets a shock, the more likely it is to cause harm. If someone has a good connection to earth (wearing no shoes on a wet floor, for example) then they are also likely to get a worse shock.
Rules and regulations exist to protect people from electric shocks.
For example, only refrigerators which have been approved for use in your country can be installed. It also means that wall sockets (which the refrigerator plugs into) must be on a residual current device (RCD) circuit as explained below.
Protection From An Electric Shock
Normally, a refrigerator would be plugged into a wall socket which is controlled by an RCD. An RCD is designed to protect people from the danger associated with electric shocks. It does this by ‘tripping’ the power to a circuit when someone gets an electric shock or current leaks to earth in another way. As mentioned earlier, time is very important, the longer someone receives a shock, the worse it is likely to be.
The goal of an RCD is to disconnect the electricity quickly in the event of an electric shock. Under the law, this has to be within 300 milliseconds with 30 milliamps of current.
Electric Shock From Refrigerator? – Reason #1
Static Electricity
It is possible that the shock is caused by static electricity. Static electricity can build up by making contact with insulating materials like carpet. By touching the fridge, this static charge is released giving you an electric shock. An AC electrical shock (the home is powered by AC electricity) is different from a static shock because of the pulsating nature of AC current
Electric Shock From Refrigerator? – Reason #2
Insulation Failure Inside The Refrigerator
A live wire inside of the refrigerator has come in contact with the conductive body of the refrigerator resulting in an electric shock. If this has happened, an RCD should have tripped in the switchboard provided an RCD exists and it is in good working order.
Electric Shock From Refrigerator? – Reason #3
Damaged Refrigerator Power Cord Or Plug
Potential damage to the power cord or plug connected to the refrigerator can cause an electric shock. This is often the result of wear and tear over a period of time. In our experience, we have seen rodents chew cables behind fridges resulting in live wires becoming exposed. These exposed wires will give an electric shock if they are touching the body of the refrigerator.
Electric Shock From Refrigerator? – Reason #4
Transposed Wires In Power Outlet
Swapping phase and neutral in power sockets is known to happen when homeowners or other non-electricians decide to do their own electrical wiring. What this means is that the body of the refrigerator becomes electrically live which will give an electric shock. Interestingly, the fridge will still likely work.
Electric Shock From Refrigerator? – Reason #5
Electrical Fault In Different Appliance
Finally, the electrical fault could be caused by something else containing an electrical fault (such as a microwave sitting on top of the refrigerator) with the fridge only acting as a contact to earth resulting in an electric shock.
Conclusion
Electric shock from refrigerator? From static electricity, to failed wire insulation with the cable or plug, there are many reasons why someone might get a shock from a refrigerator. If this has happened, it is important to unplug your refrigerator before investigating what has happened. If in doubt, get in contact with a registered electrician to help you.
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