DANGEROUS ELECTRICS, why gas engineers and plumbers should use non contact voltage indicators

[@mikearmstrong2488]

Always check your contact less tester on a known live before testing pipework

[@waterpowerspaniels]

When I was doing my 16th I was happily told by my lecturer that more gas fitters and plumbers were killed by electricity than other site accidents

[@0liver0verson9]

I usually didn't bother using my volt stick, until I got a shock off a back boiler ignition casing. Lesson learnt.

[@BobMellor1954]

Always good to check polarity of conductors and earth fault loop impedance, thanks for the video.

[@fredjennings9268]

Thanks for sharing. Keep safe.👍

[@paulrossiter9567]

Well worth checking any metallic surfaces ☠️….thanks for upload 👏

[@tomkatgastraining]

Even the taps and kitchen sink had 60 volts through them 👍🏻

[@paulrossiter9567]

@@tomkatgastraining bloody hell …just glad Tom was ok 👍

[@paulnaden2325]

If it's TN-C-s it could be a bad connection of the earth at the main intake where power is distributed to the flats, or a broken PEN conductor going to a neighbours property where live would go through their system back to ground, through natural earth and arrive at this property through the earth terminal, possibly even through the metallic pipes entering the property. If you switch off the power and still have voltage to the bonding call the DNO.

[@andrewmillwardwatford9410]

Great Information. Thanks

[@richardpalliser7495]

Have you ever noticed…….your always OTT, jobs worth, etc, etc, till someone gets wiped out, then everyone wants to know. Well, until they can’t be arsed again….,

[@paulnaden2325]

So what was the reason?

[@Ed-fp9rx]

Great video

[@davidmarsden8868]

Don’t RCDs look for an imbalance between live and neutral ?

[@tomkatgastraining]

Yep but still didn’t trip 😳

[@Timetochange76]

RCDs are for addition protection only and are not always 100% reliable. They should trip within 300ms under fault conditions as long as the impedance is under 1667 Ohms between live and an exposed OR extraneous conductive part providing the RCD is fully functional (The test button should be checked every six months). An RCD will not trip if there's a wiring fault on the circuit for example if a socket screw nips the insulation of a neutral conductor when screwing it back. Anything up to 50Vac or 120Vdc (ripple free) is considered a non hazardous touch voltage (as the RCD is designed to trip at 30ma when the detection coil senses any out of balance magnetic flux produced by unequal current flow in the live and neutral coils). An MCB will trip under fault conditions when the impedance is within its maximum allowable ZS value (short circuit fault or earth fault).

[@tomkatgastraining]

@@Timetochange76 very interesting thanks for that. We had 60 volts when all the earths were taken off the pipes but it was a lot more than that when they were joined together Tom said it was over 100 volts but the RCD didn’t trip but did when we pressed the test button. We are still waiting to find out what the sparks found 👍🏻

[@Timetochange76]

@@tomkatgastraining That's very strange. I'm looking forward to finding out what's causing it. It seems like the Earth bonding conductor is not connected all the way back to the main Earthing terminal at the incoming supply or the resistance of the main bonding is not below 0.05 Ohms (and likely to be above 2000 ohms as the rcd isn't tripping (60v / 30ma)) I would start by turning off each MCB and then testing for voltage each time until its clear. Then once the circuit(s) causing the leakage are identified start unplugging each appliance while testing each time. Then I would do a ramp test on the RCD to check its tripping current to make sure its under 30ma. I find Its usually an appliance with earth leakage causing this issue along with poor bonding integrity . An insulation resistance test of the circuit will identified any installation wiring defects. Great video as always. ☺

[@suewarrington8155]

👍 Sue Warrington

[@bentzionroyde4786]

Thanks great video 👍

[@MrHukd]

What stick is recommended?

[@tomkatgastraining]

One that records lower than 50 volts

[@MrHukd]

@@tomkatgastraining thanks but I've heard some are not great Cos they give false readings? Just surprised fluke don't do one otherwise I wouldnt even question it lol

[@tomkatgastraining]

@@MrHukd knowing how to use them correctly is key 👍🏻

[@phillipq5814]

Good video 👍🏻

[@jon-paulward4580]

Jon-Paul Ward

[@rayc1503]

If there's rcd's present they should have tripped at a presence of 30 Ma leakage on the CPC or less. I would have checked at source near to the meter. On a Tns Tncs system is quite possible that there a broken CPC. I doubt it's a TT earthing arrangement unless you're out in the sticks still. Quite possibly a broken or disconnection of CPC earth conducter . The whole point of an RCD is to detect an imbalance of phase to earth. If earth isn't connected at source. The rcd can't do what it's intended to. Anything above 50v becomes dangerous. Without a visual check and my Mft is would be difficult to say. My bet would be a disconnected CPC earth conducter at the consumer unit or disconnected earth at main source. In a Tncs system the natural and earth are shared so earth leakage could be below ground.

[@tomkatgastraining]

Thanks for that the electrician who attended said the power was coming from the ground and up the gas and water pipe but when Tom turned off the power in the flat the voltage in the pipe stopped. I disconnected all the earths at the earth point and found power coming down one earth from the sockets. I just couldn’t understand why the RCD didn’t trip buts that’s probably because I am not a spark. 👍🏻

[@rayc1503]

@@tomkatgastraining some diyer's reversed polarity. If there's voltage on the earth then there will be voltage to every equpotential point. Including the gas and water bonding. The boiler carcase itself will an equpotential point sending voltage current through all the other pipework including dhw and flow and return pipework. Making radiators an electrical hazard too. Gas engineers need to be using their voltage indicators and safe isolation for these reasons and more. If exposed wiring comes into contact with pipework. A gas engineer or anyone else could potentially touch any of the metal and become part of the circuit. There may well be CPC earth connected but no RCD RCCB protection. Once any of us become latched onto a circuit. It's difficult to move away or call for help as out muscles lock up. Gas engineers and electricians can make mistakes. Simple mistakes can cost lives. Anyone ends up dead or hospitalised HSE will be all over it.

[@SuperWayneyb]

🤘😎🤘⚡️

[@seandempsey7351]

That socket tester doesn’t give RCD tripping times it is purely a functional test no different to pressing the test button on the RCD , nor does it give you a ZS reading it simply indicates an impedance , you can only test Zs with a dedicated earth loop impedance tester , and you should test the RCD with an dedicated RCD tester . We use an MFT such as kewtech KT 63 mega 1750 or fluke . Please stick to Gas and leave the electrical work to us your giving the electrical industry a bad name and reputation.

[@tomkatgastraining]

Funny you should say that to stick to gas but how come the electricians that changed the consumer unit the day before left it like that. Maybe they should stick to gas also. Sean why are you watching my videos if you hate them so much why not make your own and show us all how perfect and fantastic you are at being an electrician.

[@tomkatgastraining]

Sean if you are in the Manchester area I would love to do a video with you to show gas engineers how to keep safe from electrocution. Coming from an electrical expert will make it so much better