Friend thinks i'm a nut cause hot tub water shocks me but not him,whats going on?

[mopardude87]

So my friend recently got this used Intex branded inflatable hot tub. Couple times while it was running and warming up covered up i would stick my finger in and get this fairly strong shock. The tub is sitting on a brick flooring with its protective plastic plastic underneath.

Odd thing is even a few days later i go and touch the water again this time completely bare footed on dry ground same exact thing. My buddy is completely in there thinking i am a nut cause its simply not happening to him. I remove almost everything,still shocking me. I put on socks,still getting shocked. Its a pretty uncomfortable jolt too. Has me pulling my hand out quickly too. Oddly enough too a near by light switch barely touching the outside of the housing for it triggered a shock a few days ago too. It never did before and my hand is kind of hurting from all the attemps to figure out possibly why i am a victim of this.

So question is, do i have some sort of reverse super power thats not allowing me to enjoy this hot tub? Was looking very much forward to going in, looks like that's not happening. My friend is at the point of shaking his head and i am sitting here rather annoyed.

 

[herm0016]

get a voltage tester and gound one side, put the other in the water, and test the plate on the switch, and any metal on the heater/pump. i would not be laughing if i were him, i would be testing some things.

 

[crashtech]

Outlet Tester

Also it should be plugged into a GFI outlet, actually it ought to have one molded into the plug if it's a modern device used in a wet area.

 

[mopardude87]

get a voltage tester and gound one side, put the other in the water, and test the plate on the switch, and any metal on the heater/pump. i would not be laughing if i were him, i would be testing some things.

He asked a friend who apparently knows everything in the known universe and his answer is that its psychological. Me i have been in lots of hot tubs and water with never a issue of this sort. Not like i don't wanna enjoy 90 degree hot soothing and relaxing water while its 51 outside. Currently no chlorine or anything in if that makes any difference. Will be soon.

I sorta was standing in the same kind of spot when it would keep on happening as this spot is closest from the back door, maybe this one spot has something in the ground causing me to somehow short and act as a ground? As far as the plug goes,its pretty standard but older and the light switch which has a metal cover shocked me when i had completely dry hands standing on completely dry ground.

My buddy perhaps is standing elsewhere completely away when testing and hopping in and isn't subjected to the jolt that i am. Not in mood to test it again right now, my hand is still feeling rather weird. Tried it bare foot/in socks and with my sweater on/off with no difference. I have had electrical jolts from static,this is actually feeling like being electrocuted. Heck my buddy might hop out step where i did then get the jolt who knows. I'm worried while hes kind of laughing like i am making this up.

 

[mopardude87]

Well me being extremely annoyed i had him pop out, stand about where i did and reach his hand back in there and sure enough he got jolted. I see some sort of line with metal piping running under the brick flooring which leads to the switch but idk where its leading to. I have a theory maybe its exposed and a little water from the far side touched it and boom.

I guess i could tell his friend the king of the smarts its not psychological. Something certainly is going on in that spot its odd.

 

[herm0016]

its that the metal is grounding you probably, there is most likely an issue in the pump or the heater for the water. it needs to be fixed.

 

[crashtech]

The type of tester I linked to is a very easy first step. Also the outlet MUST be GFI for the tub to be safe. That or GFI should be integral to the plug on the unit.

 

[mopardude87]

The type of tester I linked to is a very easy first step. Also the outlet MUST be GFI for the tub to be safe. That or GFI should be integral to the plug on the unit.

No GFI for the plug at the wall. I believe maybe there is that integral may be at the end of the plug for the tub. Has the buttons to press to reset. Makes sense from reading that the plug should maybe be GFI given there is steam and moisture. It's no splash party but perhaps?

He wore shoes and had the unit off and its no longer steaming, he stuck his hand in and this time no shock? One of the base motors or something is still running but the bubbling isn't. I guess its more about GFCI protecting from moisture. I had to google it up. Switch also didn't shock my buddy so idk. Had some rain and stuff here recently so maybe despite being under the patio moisture can get into places. I got shocked no matter what motor was or wasn't running so i am thinking a moisture issue. I could be wrong though.

The plugs look old but i'm no professional electrician obviously. From simply looking i know they aren't either GFI or GFCI. Not knowing the difference between them, i just know its a older basic outlet. Kind of surprised with such issues but you live and learn i guess. Outlet is far away from the water so nothing like that was getting wet.

Wasn't my idea exactly to see him get this tube, he was looking at a above ground solid unit but been on about tubs for so long he just found this thing and surprised me with it. I didn't hook it up or anything but i certainly did wanna enjoy it.

 

[crashtech]

Well me being extremely annoyed i had him pop out, stand about where i did and reach his hand back in there and sure enough he got jolted. I see some sort of line with metal piping running under the brick flooring which leads to the switch but idk where its leading to. I have a theory maybe its exposed and a little water from the far side touched it and boom.

I guess i could tell his friend the king of the smarts its not psychological. Something certainly is going on in that spot its odd.

Just re-read this. Visible conduit is definitely not up to code, I think it's time to call a pro and turn that circuit off. Minimum depth is 18" underground. My bet is it's DIY wiring and possibly wired incorrectly or something has come undone and has energized the conduit.

 

[mopardude87]

Just re-read this. Visible conduit is definitely not up to code, I think it's time to call a pro and turn that circuit off. Minimum depth is 18" underground. My bet is it's DIY wiring and possibly wired incorrectly or something has come undone and has energized the conduit.

Yeah i had a few theories but someone is coming out to look at it today. Was a bit baffling and never experienced anything like this electrical wise. Yeah my buddy just got the house and it needs a bit of tlc. Most of the house is still hooked up via 2 prong outlets minus outside. Most of the issues have been happening AFTER the move which is a nice touch.

I have been on him about maybe updating the electrical. Had issues with a fuse already overheating during the summer too. Now with this exterior electrical issue, i wouldn't be comfortable with anything outside of a complete overhaul. Can't hurt the resell value i know that much.

Thanks for all your input and help. I will let you know the exact issue when its found. My guess your correct.

 

[JEDIYoda]

start wearing a cape that has the letters SHG on it -- Super Hottub Guy!!

 

[skull]

Guess your done now but still needs to be said and can't believe it hasn't been, testing where/why the shock is happening with your body was absolutely fucking stupid. 120 volts can kill you. Should of called a pro from the beginning if if you don't know how to use a volt meter. People get killed getting in and out of pools/hot tubs all the time because of issues like this.

 

[Muse]

Not in mood to test it again right now, my hand is still feeling rather weird.

Personally, I wouldn't test it a 2nd time. A shock is a warning.

Guess your done now but still needs to be said and can't believe it hasn't been, testing where/why the shock is happening with your body was absolutely fucking stupid. 120 volts can kill you. Should of called a pro from the beginning if if you don't know how to use a volt meter. People get killed getting in and out of pools/hot tubs all the time because of issues like this.

Yup!

 

[mopardude87]

Personally, I wouldn't test it a 2nd time. A shock is a warning.

Yup!

Yeah my buddy has abandoned the entire idea,i don't even get near the tub for any reason. He hasn't got anyone out yet to look but its been unplugged and left alone. Not gonna lie when i developed a fear of tubs built in or above ground now. When i was looking for answers i stumbled across some interesting stuff and it scares me to death lol.

I only tested it a few times cause originally i thought it was something to do with me given he was in the tub and i simply couldn't hop in. Was just a odd situation that presented a danger that has now been avoided. If it was me i would take that Intex tub and send that thing back to who in the seven hells even made it.

 

[balloonshark]

I used to help install furnaces. One of the guys I worked with had a trouble light with a metal reflector he hung on the gas line. I kept telling them that it was shocking me a little but when they touched it they were fine. I could feel it when I barely rubbed my knuckle against the reflector but they said I was crazy and they laughed at me.

Later we were upstairs the boss had his head squeezed between the furnace and wall and his metal glasses frame touched the gas line. He felt it that time lol. Turned out a strand or two of of the stranded wire was touching the metal reflector. It was an easy fix though. I'll never doubt myself again when it comes to feeling a shock.