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Why does water coming from a tap cause electric shock and how to find a breakdown?

mati3467 36369 12
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  • #1 19313684
    mati3467
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    I`m looking for an energy specialist who knows what he`s talking about. When I turn on the tap, water comes out and gives me an electric shock. What to do? How do I find where it pierces?
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  • #2 19313695
    stanislaw1954
    Level 43  
    Posts: 15004
    Help: 1982
    Rate: 4561
    How do you heat the water?
  • #3 19313707
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
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  • #4 19313712
    pla20
    Level 17  
    Posts: 231
    Help: 29
    Rate: 161
    If the water comes from the heater (boiler), the most common cause is a puncture in the heater and a lack of connection of the protective conductor.
  • #5 19313740
    Loker
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3368
    Help: 575
    Rate: 719
    If it "kicks" only when the water is turned on, it is a stratified heater in the instantaneous heater.
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  • #6 19317828
    robokop
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
    Posts: 29406
    Help: 1760
    Rate: 6342
    mati3467 wrote:

    I`m looking for an energy specialist who knows what he`s talking about. When I turn on the tap, water comes out and gives me an electric shock. What to do? How do I find where it pierces?
    And the water flows where - in the countryside, in the city, in a block of flats, in a single-family house? Water from a well, from a water supply, hot/cold? There are no clairvoyants here.
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  • #7 19498460
    pla20
    Level 17  
    Posts: 231
    Help: 29
    Rate: 161
    If the installation is properly made and efficient, this should not happen. At most, the protection will work.
  • #8 19498536
    kkas12
    Level 43  
    Posts: 17357
    Help: 1073
    Rate: 4263
    What is below this room?
    Very often, the reason for this phenomenon is a potential different from the ground "located" on the floor.
    The reason may be damaged wire insulation or the housing with phase potential on the housing.
  • #9 19498780
    Wawrzyniec
    Level 38  
    Posts: 3974
    Help: 390
    Rate: 1065
    The author of the topic wrote one post in March and it was deleted, and you are still here today. He hasn`t spoken for 3 months and the water is offensive.
  • #10 19498785
    stanislaw1954
    Level 43  
    Posts: 15004
    Help: 1982
    Rate: 4561
    Wawrzyniec wrote:
    He hasn`t spoken for 3 months and the water is offensive.
    Either she`s already dealt with the guy or she`s stopped digging.
  • #11 19498793
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #12 19498832
    Jacdiag
    Level 29  
    Posts: 1607
    Help: 113
    Rate: 370
    Wawrzyniec wrote:
    The author of the topic wrote only one post in March and it cut him in ,
    Maybe before he read the advice he took a kick at St. Peter :?:
  • #13 19498844
    elpapiotr
    Electrician specialist  
    Posts: 12200
    Help: 1013
    Rate: 3509
    No, my jollyyy.
    There are situations that my colleague kkas12 wrote about.

    At this one:

    Why does water coming from a tap cause electric shock and how to find a breakdown?

    the metal profile in the "attic" pressed against the frayed cable, while the above-mentioned profile was in contact with the water pipe.

    At this one:

    Why does water coming from a tap cause electric shock and how to find a breakdown?

    water was "kicking" on the floor below.
    Of course, the upstairs neighbor didn`t know anything about it (she also started digging) until she turned on the ceiling light.
    And so they played cat and mouse.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the issue of experiencing electric shocks when using a tap, likely due to faulty electrical installations or equipment. Possible causes include a punctured water heater (boiler) without proper grounding, reverse connections in the flow power supply, or damaged wire insulation. Participants suggest checking the type of water supply (well, municipal), the heating method, and the installation's integrity. Recommendations include avoiding using the tap until the issue is resolved and investigating the electrical connections and grounding systems to prevent hazards.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Tap‑water shocks mean an electrical fault. 30 mA RCDs are standard; "additional protection by RCDs ≤30 mA" saves lives. For homeowners and renters, this FAQ shows how to isolate a faulty heater or bonding issue and what to check first. [IEC 60364-4-41, 2017]

Why it matters: Even small leakage currents through water can kill without RCDs and equipotential bonding.

Quick Facts

  • Bathrooms require additional protection by RCDs not exceeding 30 mA; this is the core shock‑protection measure. [IEC 60364-4-41, 2017]
  • Bathrooms need supplementary equipotential bonding linking extraneous‑conductive‑parts to the protective conductor (PE). [IEC 60364-7-701, 2017]
  • Electric instantaneous water heaters must be permanently earthed; the earthing terminal is a mandatory safety provision. [IEC 60335-2-35, 2012]
  • Typical shock effects: ~1 mA perception; 10–30 mA “let‑go” threshold; >50 mA ventricular fibrillation risk. [IEC 60479-1, 2005]

Why does water from my tap give me an electric shock?

A damaged heater element or a missing protective conductor can energize the water. “If the water comes from the heater (boiler), the most common cause is a puncture in the heater and a lack of connection of the protective conductor.” Stop using the tap and get bonding and the heater tested. [Elektroda, pla20, post #19313712]

How do I quickly find whether the water heater is the culprit?

Try this quick isolation:
  1. Switch off the water heater’s breaker, then run the tap.
  2. If the tingle stops, leave the heater off and press the RCD test button.
  3. Call a licensed electrician to test insulation and bonding. These steps align with basic verification and isolation practice. [IEC 60364-6, 2016]

Is this dangerous if I only feel a tingle?

Yes. IEC 60479-1 shows about 1 mA is perceptible, 10–30 mA can lock muscles, and above 50 mA can trigger fibrillation. Wet skin reduces resistance and raises current. A brief shock can still be harmful. Treat tingling water as hazardous and stop using the tap. [IEC 60479-1, 2005]

My tap doesn’t shock me, only the water stream does. Why?

This points to a heater fault with poor earthing and plastic plumbing. Plastic pipes can isolate the tap, so only the water carries potential. As one expert noted, “Well, unless the tubes are plastic.” Have the heater and bonding checked. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19313707]

Could reversed L/N on a flow heater cause shocks?

Yes. If L and N are swapped and the RCD or PE is missing, the water can become energized. “A common cause is the reverse connection of the flow power supply.” A correctly wired, working RCD should trip on such leakage. Get the heater connections verified. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19498793]

Will an RCD stop this?

A 30 mA RCD upstream of the bathroom should trip on a leakage fault and cut power. It must be correctly wired and tested. RCDs provide additional protection; they do not replace earthing and bonding. Install and maintain them per the standard. [IEC 60364-4-41, 2017]

Could the shock come from a neighbor’s flat or another floor?

Yes. A damaged cable can energize metal framing or water pipes that pass between flats. One documented case had a metal profile fray a cable and touch the pipe. Another had “water was ‘kicking’ on the floor below” only when an upstairs light was on. Tell management and an electrician. [Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #19498844]

What tests should an electrician perform to fix this safely?

They should verify isolation, then test insulation resistance of the heater, continuity of PE, and supplementary bonding. They should also test the RCD’s trip function. Use proper instruments such as a two‑pole tester (e.g., Fluke T150) and an insulation tester (e.g., Megger MIT). These are standard verification checks. [IEC 60364-6, 2016]

Can I keep using the tap until I fix it?

No. “Do not turn on the tap. In an emergency, pour water into a plastic cup.” Shut the heater off at its breaker. Arrange urgent electrical checks and repairs. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19498793]

Do bathrooms require equipotential bonding even with plastic pipes?

Yes. Supplementary equipotential bonding in bathrooms must link extraneous‑conductive‑parts, such as metallic taps, to the protective conductor. Plastic pipes may reduce which parts are extraneous, but metal fittings and other parts still need bonding. Follow the bathroom section of the standard. [IEC 60364-7-701, 2017]

What is a stratified instantaneous heater, and why would it tingle only when water flows?

This symptom points to an instantaneous heater issue that appears when flow starts. As one member noted, it “kicks only when the water is turned on.” Have the instantaneous heater checked for internal leakage and correct earthing. [Elektroda, Loker, post #19313740]

What details should I collect before calling an electrician?

Note whether the shock happens on hot, cold, or both. Record your building type, supply source (well or city), and flat level. Also note when it happens and which breakers are on. As one pro reminded, “There are no clairvoyants here.” These details speed diagnosis. [Elektroda, robokop, post #19317828]
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