I am talking about mild “tingles” and not proper electric shocks. However, if anyone receives any kind of electric shock, the appliance should be disconnected immediately, and an appliance engineer called out. Mild electric shocks or tingles might not be taken seriously, but they can turn into lethal full mains voltage shocks at any time.
So never use any appliance even if you only get a mild shock from. Disconnect it immediately. The reason you get shocks from a washing machine, or any other appliance, is because it is not earthed properly.
Why Does an unearthed appliance cause shocks?
All large appliances need to be connected to earth for safety. The earth wire runs down the mains cable and then through the socket it is plugged into. If this connection becomes broken at any point in the machine, cable, plug or wall socket, then you can get the symptom of mild electric shocks.
The shocks are often mild, or just tingles because they are caused by small amounts of electricity leaking or inducing across to the disconnected earth wire and running through the casing. It’s a phenomenon related to eddy current, but it’s not necessary to understand the scientific reason.
Such an appliance poses a serious danger. Because the mild shocks indicate that the washing machine is not earthed it means that if a component inside the machine’s insulation breaks down, or a live wire comes adrift and touches the metal parts inside, then the low voltage current will be replaced by the full mains voltage – which can kill. Without a path to earth, the washing machine cannot blow the fuse, and instead could just work as normal but be lethal.
Plug not earthed?
The first thing an engineer is likely to check is the appliances plug. They would check inside the plug to make sure the green and yellow earth wire is connected securely.
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If it’s OK, then either the earth wire inside the mains cable could have a break somewhere inside and needs replacing, or it may not be connected inside the washing machine. (The latter is very unlikely, I’ve never known it, but it’s theoretically possible). Both can (and should) be checked with a continuity test meter by checking the continuity between the earth pin on the plug and the metal door hinge or another suitable bare metal point on the washing machine.
Moulded plugs
Most appliances have long since come with pre-fitted moulded plugs which can’t be checked. So if unable to check inside the plug the first thing an engineer would check is the continuity down from the earth pin as described above. If he had a good reading he shouldn’t need to look inside the plug anyway. If the reading was open circuit or high resistance, but the earth was connected properly inside the machine he’d cut off the plug about an inch down and replace it because earth wires can break at that point. If that failed to make a difference he’d replace the mains cable.
Extension cables
If the appliance is plugged into an extension cable then clearly there could be a problem anywhere on the extension. So an engineer would check the earth connections and continuity on the extension cable. Ideally ditch the extensions, they aren’t ideal on large white goods appliances. If one is necessary try another extension (but make sure it’s appropriate – appliances and extension cables). I have seen appliances plugged into totally inappropriate extension cables that are using 2 core cable with no earth!
Wall socket not earthed
Another possibility is a fault in the wall socket. The earth wire could be disconnected inside or the brass earth prongs inside could be worn or too far apart to grip the earth pin on the plug properly. Obviously you don’t mess with wall sockets. If you suspect a faulty wall socket get an electrician – not an appliance engineer.
Don’t confuse with static electricity discharges
If you get just a single short shock when you touch an appliance (possibly accompanied by a cracking sound) which doesn’t reoccur when you touch the appliance again this could be static electricity discharging from your body and is very different to this issue.
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Just been doing some plumbing and was worried about shock when leaning against dishwasher to do work. Followed the guide and fault was old gang, was very grubby and of dubious origins. Replaced with modern clean extension with surge protection etc. No problems at all. Really useful guide and saved a call out! Thanks
My boyfriend just informed me that he received an electric shock from installing his washing machine (which is fairly new and in good condition). Even though he wasn’t actually using it at the time, could this shock be from the same phenomenon you’re describing? If so, I fear he won’t take the threat seriously- How long does it take for these shocks to turn potentially fatal?
Hello Katie, yes, get him to carefully read this article. If the machine isn’t earthed properly either because it has a fault (or more likely) because it’s plugged into a faulty socket or adapter then it could go on to deliver a fatal electric shock in the future if an insulation fault occurs inside it.
He just elaborated that he had the top of the machine off and accidentally touched a wire coil while it was plugged in but not turned on. Perhaps this was the real reason for the shock, not a grounding issue?
Aye :) This issue is about when the washer is plugged in and in place you get a small shock when touching the casing, door handle or door. Thanks for the update.
hello … recently when i plug the washer into the ” earthed ” socket it now trips the power and all electric goes out, but if i plug the washer into a different socket which isnt earth then it works fine ( however i did touch the washer when it was on and felt a very very very tiny tingle in my finger ) .. i had someone look at it and they said washer needs a new pump… Im not going to get it repaired ( seeing it is 10 years old ) im just going to buy a new one .. My question is how safe is it to continue using the washer for a couple of weeks until i have the funds to buy a new one , by plugging it in the Non Earthed socket … is this risky ?
Hello Jay, it’s potentially lethal plugging in an appliance to a socket that isn’t earthed – especially when it has an earth leak which is otherwise tripping the electrics.
thank you Andy for your quick & possibly life saving response ;-)
Hello Jay. The reason it is tripping the electrics is that electricity running through the machine is also running through the casing due to a fault. When plugged into a properly earthed wall socket the electricity running through the casing runs down to earth and instantly trips the electrics or blows the fuse. If you disconnect the earth due to a fault or plug the machine into an extension cable or wall socket that has no earth then the electricity flowing through the casing cannot get down to earth and trip the electrics. So it no longer blows a fuse and appears to work OK. However, the electricity is still running through the casing and could even be full mains voltage. If anyone touches the casing – especially any part that has no paint on it – the electricity can run through them down to earth and electrocute them.
hi Andy … first of all i would like to thank you for your answers from the previous comments on 15 September 2015 tha i made … I have one last question ;-) I was told it is probably a defected PUMP ( because as soon as the washer starts the electrics in the house go off ) however because the washing machine still works perfectly in an UNEARTHED socket but not in an EARTHED socket , can i ASSUME that that there is no major problem with the washer itself and maybe its just something minor , maybe a loose wire or connector or something ( which possibly could be easily fixed ) maybe fixing a new plug ? or getting a repair man to take a look … i appreciate that maybe it’s difficult to give an answer on this but any advice would be helpful before i throw it away and buy a new one
Again thanks for your help
To fix a low insulation fault, which could be caused by many different things, you need an insulation test meter (which only repair engineers have) – washing machine tripping or fusing electrics. It can be possible to take an educated guess if you understand washing machines but it would still be a guess.