Earthing the sink

[ailie]

If we touch the sink & dishwasher simultaneously we get an electrical shock. We have been told to earth the sink..... is that easy to do & if so, how? However, as this has just become a problem out of the blue, is the dishwasher safe?

[weeal]

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1 031

[EDLEE]

It seems unlikely that a potential is being created in the sink. More likely it is the dishwasher that is the culprit.

If you have metal water lines under the sink, it is an easy matter to connect a wire between said pipe and the sink.

If this cures the problem ( which I doubt) make the repair permanent. If not , call the electrician to trace the fault in the dishwasher.

Yes, it could be dangerous.
ed

[wildwood]

I wouldn't muck about with something like that. This is a potentially life threatening situation. Call an Electrician at once.

[raysparx1]

Hi ailie, it is now illlegal for you to do this as a diy job, if you are getting a shock, as EDLEE says it is going to be a fault to earth somewhere, you will have to call in an electrician, it will probably be the dishwasher, but you can't be to careful, PLEASE don't mess about with it yourself, go to Napit,or ECA.or niceic website and put your postcode in the search bar for a local registered sparky, good luck,Ray

[tony1941]

Ray is quite right. One perfectly safe (and "legal") thing you could check yourself, however is have a look at the 13 amp plug on the appliance. Assuming it is not a moulded one, unplug it, take the cover off and check the earth (green/yellow) wire is securely terminated to the earth pin (the longer one on the top). I have seen many many cases where this was loose or, worse, pulled out by strain on the cable. It is always my practice when wiring plugs, to make the wire lengths such that the earth is the very last wire to be pulled out if someone drags on the cable.
Otherwise, consult a qualifed sparky.
Tony