Electrocuted?

[MORELLO]

Can steam carry an electrical current sufficient to do harm? In our bathroom the glass 'globe' part of the ceiling light has broken, and I am in the process of locating another. In the interim however the electrical connections are now exposed. With the globe gone they are now open to the steam present, when showering. I often look at these connections when showering, standing in water in a metal bath with the steam quite intense, and think of the headline 'Man Killed in Shower'...?

[Skids]

While it is always best to be on the safe side, i.e. try not to use the light until it is replaced, most light fittings do not seal the wires from the atmosphere in the room they're lighting anyway.  Steam is mostly air, with small water droplets too small to carry enough current for it jump the gap to the next droplet.  I wouldn't worry about it.  But like I said, if you're that worried by it stop doing it.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah, think of lightening in a storm....

but then think how many people have been struck by lightning in a shower!

also 250 v AC is a bit low for a lightning strike.

Do people come into your shower and try to knife you as well? What an exciting life you lead compared to mine.

[peanut]

NO there is not even a slight chance of that happening. steam is not dense enough to carry any current, especially voltage as low as what is in your bathroom. Like skids says above, bathrom fixtures are not sealed anyway and if there was any danger all bathroom electrical would have to have a ground fault interrupter to immediately shut off the power if it were to short.

[akaceefax]

if you have a metal bath it is likely either it or the pipes conected to it will be earthed. That coupled with standing, possibly ankle deep, in water is a very dangerous. considering that 240VAC can jump up to 5cm through air. i suggest that you ensure that the lose connections be individually taped up with electrical tape and insure that they are not likely to come into contact with anyone under any circumstances. I recommend that you disconnect the the wires at the switch or if u can at the trip switch.

[slimfandango]

"Ground fault interrupter". Can you give Beckham one of those for the next crucial penalty?

[brian5]

Steam is water that has been superheated, therefore once it cools, it becomes water again, now, steam rises, so when the steam rises, it will reach the element and then cool and condense, and I think you will find htat it WILL cause a short and pop a fuse, that's if the remainder of the bulb doesn't explode, I think I would replace it with a normal bulb, until I found a replacement, I value my life and the others in my house, not to mention visitors