Think this is dangerous?

[Eli]

We live in a pretty old house, and it isn't grounded.

The floors are made out of concrete. When you're barefoot, and touching the floor.. If you touch anything metal thats plugged in, you get a little zap.

Infact, by holding one lead of an LED, and touching the other to my computer case, it lights dimly. :Q

It measures about 8-10V on my old analog voltmeter, depending on how hard you push your feet against the floor.

It's blurry, but if you look close the needle is hovering between 8 and 10V AC


Dimly lit LED

Fun!

 

[SWScorch]

thats awesome!!!!

 

[Quixfire]

Nice!

 

[filmmaker]

That's some crazy stuff, man.

 

[Looney]

Concrete can conduct electricity?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic
Concrete can conduct electricity?

By touching the floor, I'm grounded.. completing the circuit.

If I were to ever touch mains while in my bare feet, I would certainly be electrocuted.

 

[Looney]

oooh. Normally when i touch metal stuff, that's causing me to ground my static buildup, and i get a zap. But i understand where you're coming from.

 

[snik]

I bet you could conduct some nice pranks on unsuspecting friends.

 

[Bryophyte]

Ouch. In a place I used to live, I'd get the snot shocked out of me once in awhile when I'd use the stove. Checked it out after awhile and found that the ground strap wasn't connected to the grounding rod anymore. Spouse didn't believe me about getting shocked until he saw it.

Anyway, it probably isn't very good for your electronics to have no ground. Not so sure it meets housing code if you're renting.

 

[SagaLore]

Didn't somebody here post the exact same thing, about a year ago?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Didn't somebody here post the exact same thing, about a year ago?

It was probably me, I've posted about this before, but I didn't have PICS!

 

[FoBoT]

yes, moderately
next time you have some spare cash, get a licensed electrician to evalute your wiring

 

[sharkeeper]

If I were to ever touch mains while in my bare feet, I would certainly be electrocuted.

Same if any of your appliances develops a fault where the black (hot) comes in contact with the chassis. Hope you have a defib handy.

-DAK-

 

[Eli]

We're renting, so we could probably make a fit and get the landlord to fix it, but shrug.. We're always wearing shoes anyway.

I imagine it would be pretty expensive to re-do all the wiring.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: BigDan
Ouch. In a place I used to live, I'd get the snot shocked out of me once in awhile when I'd use the stove. Checked it out after awhile and found that the ground strap wasn't connected to the grounding rod anymore. Spouse didn't believe me about getting shocked until he saw it.

Anyway, it probably isn't very good for your electronics to have no ground. Not so sure it meets housing code if you're renting.

I find it disturbing that you're a woman named BigDan :Q

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Sue and use the proceeds to buy a new house.

- M4H

 

[Yax]

Originally posted by: Eli
We live in a pretty old house, and it isn't grounded.

The floors are made out of concrete. When you're barefoot, and touching the floor.. If you touch anything metal thats plugged in, you get a little zap.

Infact, by holding one lead of an LED, and touching the other to my computer case, it lights dimly. :Q

It measures about 8-10V on my old analog voltmeter, depending on how hard you push your feet against the floor.

It's blurry, but if you look close the needle is hovering between 8 and 10V AC


Dimly lit LED

Fun!

That explains how you were able to get all those spoons to stick on you like magnets. (Saw it on TV).

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: BigDan
Ouch. In a place I used to live, I'd get the snot shocked out of me once in awhile when I'd use the stove. Checked it out after awhile and found that the ground strap wasn't connected to the grounding rod anymore. Spouse didn't believe me about getting shocked until he saw it.

Anyway, it probably isn't very good for your electronics to have no ground. Not so sure it meets housing code if you're renting.

I find it disturbing that you're a woman named BigDan :Q

Eh, my misogynistic male gorilla alter-ego signed up behind my back. I'm not Big, and my name isn't remotely related to Dan. Just didn't bother to change my nic when I regained control of my account from that egotistical bastard. (Damn, those voices in my head!)

:Q

 

[Gage8]

time to invite your enemies over to your house to show them around...

 

[AstIsis]

At this rate we can just call you "Uncle Fester"

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Gage8
time to invite your enemies over to your house to show them around...

Are you blind?
Edit:Hey, that's not what your post said when I fist saw it. Quick with the edit, I guess.

 

[Haller]

Sounds to me like you need to rewire your house. How old is the wiring?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Haller
Sounds to me like you need to rewire your house. How old is the wiring?

Probably as old as the house, and I think it was built in the 50s.

There's a built-in(to the wall) old tube AM radio in the hallway.

Still works!

 

[PowerMacG5]

That is so cool. I wish my floor conducted electricity too.

 

[MithShrike]

Hmmm... interesting!