What is touch voltage and how do I prevent it – Advice from Electriman, North London Electricians

## What Is Touch Voltage and Why Does It Matter?

**Touch voltage** is the voltage you can receive across your body when you touch something metallic — like a washing machine casing, a radiator, or a tap — while a fault exists in the electrical installation. Instead of fault current flowing safely to earth, it flows through you. Even relatively low voltages can cause serious injury or cardiac arrest.

### Why Does It Happen?

- **Broken or disconnected earth wire** inside an appliance or socket

- **Missing or loose bonding conductor** connecting metallic pipework, radiators, or structural steelwork to earth

- A **faulty appliance** where live internal conductors have touched the metal casing

- **Deteriorated wiring** in older properties, particularly pre-1960s installations

- **Missing RCD protection** that would otherwise disconnect the supply quickly enough to prevent harm

### Warning Signs to Look Out For

- A **tingling sensation** when touching an appliance, tap, or radiator

- **Electric shocks** when touching two different metal objects at the same time

- RCDs that **trip repeatedly** for no obvious reason

- A **burning smell** from sockets or appliances

- **Visible damage** to cables, plugs, or socket faces

### What You Can Check Safely

- Visually inspect plug tops — check the earth pin is present and connections look secure

- Check that **bonding clamps** on incoming gas and water pipes near the meter are still in p

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Electriman covers Mill Hill, Barnet, Finchley, Edgware, Enfield, Watford and surrounding areas. All work is Part P certified and fully insured.