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dmhenning · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

Over the past couple weeks, we have been noticing a substantional electric current off the shower valves, while showering. (House is 2 years old.) We did some inspecting on our own, and could not find the source. The voltage with meter connected from shower valve to drain (concrete slab on grade house) fluctuates from 6.75-8 volts. It was suggested by several people that we call our power company. The power company sent a man out, who proceeded to pull the meter and simply tug on the wires to make sure they were firmly screwed down--both on his side of the meter and ours. He suggested that we flip our breakers one-by-one, and see which circuit was causing the trouble. We proceeded to do so, until we were standing in the dark, and the voltage was still 6.75-8 volts. We then went down to our meter panel, and flipped our breaker from the house--voltage still read 6.75-8 volts. We disconnected our phone line/ground as well, with no difference. All voltage immediately after the meter was now disconnected, and the only thing left would be our neutral ground. As my husband disconnected our ground from the power company's buss bar--there was an arc. Everytime he got the two together, the arc was repeated. Once the ground was disconnected, the shower voltage dropped to .65--less than 10x what it was prior. We are definitely not electricians, but have come to the conclusion that maybe they have stray voltage running across their ground. We have recalled them, and they are taking days to get here. What does anyone think about this, and is this damaging to any of our circuitry/appliances? Any response would be appreciated. Thanks! Denise Iowa/USA

dmhenning · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

I guess no one had an answer for me on this forum, but the electric company finally came out on Friday and found the problem. There were 2 amps on their ground cable, at the meter box. They traced it back approximately 1/3 mile to a local rock quarry, and evidentally there was some kind of problem there. It's now safe to shower, and the horses will drink again--when the stock tank heaters plugged in. Thanks. Denise

b · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 9:27 am Post subject:

Glad the problem is taken care of! Thanks for the update so if any one else has a similar problem they can read yours.