Why Am I Getting Shocked by Outlet or Light Cover Screws?

[gregvancom]

Someone pointed out that you could also be getting shocked from static electricity. I would like to thank the individual for pointing this out .

[camillekatrina]

This was going on at outlets and switches in our house for a while, especially on the bathroom light switch. After a GFCI and a surge protecting power strip burned out during some power surges (our electric supplier sucks), an electrician came out to our house but could find nothing wrong with our inside wiring or breaker box. He did, however, discover that whoever installed our manufactured home did not install a grounding rod at the power box. The minute he installed that (and a hefty surge arrestor), the zapping stopped.

[motazsuleiman]

Anybody else watching this after getting shocked by an outlet

[stephanebessette]

In my case it's static electricity. In winter heating dries the house which increases the likelihood of accumulating static electricity on our body (often just by wriggling and/or getting up from the couch). It has become my ritual to touch those screws to discharge that accumulated static electricity before touching any electronic device, to prevent damaging them. Hopefully the system is well grounded.

[yrulooknatme]

"ground, ground, ground ...always ground!!!"

[TonyEnglandUK]

I know it's not static electricity in my case because it's always from the same light switch - the others are fine. I've taken to wearing a rubber washing-up glove whenever I need to to switch the light on there 😄

[sandrabeltran]

I have been looking for a solution to my problem but still haven't found how if you can help that would be great but so when I try to plug in a my GameCube cord it shocks me it only happens with that cord so help plz

[MissCharleighJade]

I just got this from a screw on my light switch cover and it made me collapse, I was sweating and shaking with pins and needles, can this harm me?? Thanks

[robo-suport_czrobofactory]

i am currently studying for an electrician in europe therefore i am not falmiliar with american switches or outlets, but... i am not sure why this would be a thing the screw should be completely separeted and should not be touched by any cable even if one comes loose...

[lauried.]

try putting some silicone from a tube on the screw heads.

[heroknaderi]

same thing with me i lift the outdoor cover for the switches to turn on my cailing fan on my patio and i felt some kind of jolt

[skydiver]

You are lost about this their talking about getting zapped with static elec. if you're getting electricuted then your theory is correct butI have apartments that do the same thing and the have no carpet only wood floors. So why is the static so strong?

[joeyraupp]

It is because you get charged up with static electricity and the screws are touching ground from the metal box! YOU ARE WRONG!