Electrocution in shower?

[Miss Zippy]

If someone knows what they're doing, is it possible to sabotage an electric shower so it electrocutes the user (i.e. the water that comes out electrocutes you)? Someone in the office with paranoia and an overactive imagination has brought it up. P.s. in the interests of health and safety, if it is possible, probably best not to post instructions!

[BillyNoMates]

Yes - given the right circumstances, and it wouldn't be the water coming out of the shower which killed you. There would have to be a 'live' part, fitting etc. and a path to earth - not too difficult in a wet environment with metal pipes etc.

As part of an Electrical Testing course I did a few years ago we studied such a case. Although in this instance it was not deliberate, cause was down to the imcompetence of the Electrician. Someone died, the Electrician was charged with manslaughter and was sentenced to 8 years.

[Gef]

Nothwithstanding BillyNoMates answer I would think no IF you are standing in a plastic shower basin or bath and all of the external shower fittings are made of plastic.

[johntheplamf]

Miss Zippy, please try to persuade this ahem.."Person" not to do what they might regret later, know what i'm getting at here, wink wink, p.s. he's not worth it love, or you're friend as i meant to say.

[Miss Zippy]

Don't worry johntheplamf, neither I nor anyone I know have any intention to despatch of anyone in this manner or otherwise!  

[KebabMeister]

Aw, I thought it was going to get interesting then!  You could have asked the AB how to dispose of a body then!

[rojash]

Yes, KebabMeister, and I was anxiously awaiting the answer, before the weather gets hot...

[Flurfl]

As Billy said a fitting (taps etc) would work but you would need to touch them. The water wouldn't as it breaks up into drops as it comes out of the showerhead and won't create a circuit. Best way would be the plug hole as there is water flowing across the bottom of the tub...

[Ray the DJ]

Electricity flows from a source (transformer in local substation) through a live cables to your appliances, then returns back to the source via the neutral cable.
The neutral point at the substation is connected to earth.
So if you tried to make water from a shower or tap 'live' it would instantly flow to earth (through the metal pipes in your house or street) and back to the transformer, blowing your fuses or trips as it does so.
So no, you couldn't make the water live as it leaves the shower head.

[netibiza]

Sorry to argue Raythedj - but I have had electric water.  Somehow an old water heater in a rented house did in fact electrify the water - it was only a tingle not a great belt - but worrying all the same - By the same token in another house when I switched on the light the cooker came on .