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Donna R · Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Location: VA

I am getting a shock when I open my front storm door, and my garage door to patio. It doesn't shock me when I have my sneakers on though.
It is kind of a buzzzzzz shock. What could be causing this? I figure there must be a short in some wiring somewhere.

AlanE · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject:

Get a qualified electrician in AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as this problem could easily be life threatening to someone!

Donna R · Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Location: VA

Thanks for your reply. I did as you said and called an electrician, he came out and spent 3 hrs. tracking down the problem. As it turned out, it was the garage door opener we recently had installed. Our house was built in the early 60s and I guess building codes were different back then. They didn't have to have a ground. So when they installed the new opener and pluged it into a three prong outlet it was looking for a ground. When the door was shut it contacted the aluminum siding and the whole house, gutter, siding etc. was charged with 120 volts. This was a very scary thing. Now I would like someone to help me decide if the installer of the unit was at fault. It looks like someone dropped the ball....I could have been killed.
I now have a bill for $260 and would like to give it to them.
Thanks
Donna

vince knight · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject:

The installer should have checked that the installation was safe, Maybe he could cover your small bill or see him in court Smile