What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

The voltage is not high enough to be uncomfortable, but you certainly can feel it. Tis a bit like a weak electric fence when touched.

However, the appliances do not do it when plugged in to another socket.

What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to
become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

Probably the socket is not securely earthed, so the casings start to float.

Christian.

On Thu, 25 May 2006 17:36:38 +0100,it is alleged that "Christian
McArdle" spake thusly in uk.d-i-y:

What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to
become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

Probably the socket is not securely earthed, so the casings start to float.

Christian.

Or worse, possibly there's some leakage between earth and live in the
socket in addition. Either way, not a happy situation


--
"The most overlooked advantage of owning a computer is that if they foul up
there's no law against whacking them around a bit."
- Eric Porterfield.

"Cordless Crazy" wrote in message
...

What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to
become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

The voltage is not high enough to be uncomfortable, but you certainly
can feel it. Tis a bit like a weak electric fence when touched.

However, the appliances do not do it when plugged in to another socket.


--
Cordless Crazy

Is/are the socket/s on an RCD?, what are you standing on at the problem
socket? i.e. is the floor construction earthenware tiles, rugs or other
electrically insulated flooring. How do you get the feeling: - e.g.hand on
appliance and hand on kitchen top; or hand on appliance, other hand not
touching any metalwork. Maybe you should be buying appliances to suit your
user name!.
Jaymack

Cordless Crazy wrote:
What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to
become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

The voltage is not high enough to be uncomfortable, but you certainly
can feel it. Tis a bit like a weak electric fence when touched.

However, the appliances do not do it when plugged in to another socket.



You have a socket without an earth. Fix that, *priority*.


In this case the metal case will be roughly at 110v AC with a fairly
high impedance, via the RFI filtering.

Chip wrote:
possibly there's some leakage between earth and live in the
socket in addition.


With RFI filters there ALWAYS is...and all microwaves have fairly
massive ones.

wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Cordless Crazy wrote:
What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to
become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

The voltage is not high enough to be uncomfortable, but you certainly
can feel it. Tis a bit like a weak electric fence when touched.

However, the appliances do not do it when plugged in to another socket.

You have a socket without an earth. Fix that, *priority*.


In this case the metal case will be roughly at 110v AC with a fairly
high impedance, via the RFI filtering.

but since both appliances play with water and electricity, that could
change to 240 and low impedance.

Which is why I said "Fix that, *priority*."

NT

Cordless Crazy formulated the question :
What would cause the metal casing of both a microwave and a kettle to
become 'live' to some degree when plugged in to a certain socket?

The voltage is not high enough to be uncomfortable, but you certainly
can feel it. Tis a bit like a weak electric fence when touched.

However, the appliances do not do it when plugged in to another socket.

Two possibilities:-

1. The socket lacks an earth and what you feel is the normal leakage
from the appliance to earth.

2. The socket and appliances are properly earthed and you are 'live'.
In other words you are standing on or touching something else which is
at least to some extent 'live'.

--

Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
wrote:

In this case the metal case will be roughly at 110v AC with a fairly
high impedance, via the RFI filtering.

but since both appliances play with water and electricity, that could
change to 240 and low impedance.

Which is why I said "Fix that, *priority*."

i know we all know


NT