Why does a gas stove shock: an overview of possible causes and ways to eliminate them

It often happens that when you touch the body of the gas stove, a "tingling" is felt. This is unpleasant, but the worst part is that such minor troubles often develop into huge problems and breakdown of gas equipment. And such a development of the situation is not necessary to anyone, right?

Therefore, when the gas stove is electrocuted, it is necessary to immediately identify the cause and eliminate it. Moreover, this can be done quickly. And how to find the source of the problem and what to do in this case - we will consider all this in detail in our article.

Causes and remedies for leakage currents

Sometimes touching the gas stove causes discomfort due to the exposure of the user to small electric discharges. The power of which usually does not exceed 110 volts, so they are not dangerous to life and even health.

But still, the presence of electricity on the body and other structural elements of the gas stove indicates that there is a malfunction. Moreover, it is dangerous, because it is caused by a leakage current.

Self-repair of equipment is no less a threat. Therefore, all that needs to be done if it is revealed that the gas stove is electrocuted is to report the malfunction to the gas company with which you were service contract signed and provide an opportunity for the arriving master to fulfill his duties.

There are many reasons why the gas stove starts to shock:

• lack of grounding;
• violation of the integrity of the insulation of wires;
• oxidation of contacts;
• violation of the integrity of the wires;
• breakdown of heating elements, if the gas stove is equipped with an electric grill, oven;
• the formation of a conductive "bridge" due to the accumulation of foreign particles, liquids inside the plate;
• the ingress of liquid on the contacts, other conductive elements of the gas stove structure. As a result, the circuit closes on its body;
• capacitor problems;
• shielding;
• outlet malfunction.

It is interesting that in the last two cases the slab is a "hostage of the situation." Since it is serviceable, but its performance is reduced by third-party factors.

Since any of the listed reasons that cause electric shocks when using a gas cooking appliance are dangerous, it is worth getting to know them better.

Reason # 1 - lack of grounding

The design of any modern gas stove is designed to eliminate the leakage of electrical energy. But the voltage on the cases of the specified equipment still occurs quite often.

And the main problem leading to electric shock of various voltages is lack of grounding. Which is a set of solutions that allow you to exclude damage to the user by electric discharge. Moreover, no matter what it is: insignificant or deadly.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that most of the houses were built in Soviet times, and then did not exist standards that would regulate the use of effective grounding systems for current leakage. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of users are not protected from its impact.

Today's new buildings are equipped with the necessary equipment. But the lack of a culture of use and low technical literacy lead to the fact that in a few years, grounding in many buildings exists only on paper.

The reason is that users do not monitor the state of protective devices, which, as a result, lose their functionality due to the influence of a number of negative factors. Most often it is moisture, which quickly enough leads to oxidation of the terminals.

Often incorrect design leads to problems with grounding, then individual elements or all its construction is exposed to high temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation.

In both cases, grounding becomes ineffective over time. That will not allow to divert the required amount of electricity from gas stoves and other household appliances at a critical moment.

How to identify a problem with a lack of grounding?

If the outlet where the gas stove is connected has only 2 outputs to the wires, then this means that it is not grounded. This will be the reason that the user is exposed to current discharges.

When the socket to which the device is connected, "pinches" fingers and other parts of the body with current, has 3 leads on the wires, then you should check grounding. What is done with a multimeter.

Restoration of grounding functionality

If the ground loop is provided, but simply failed, then it is necessary to identify the cause and eliminate it so that the gas stove stops being shocked.

Among the reasons, the most popular are:

• oxidation of terminals;
• damage to the structure of the grounding loop.

In the first case, the restoration of operability is performed by cleaning the terminals or replacing them.

If the structure is damaged, a faulty section or unit is identified and the breakdown is eliminated. The method of repair and the amount of work is determined individually in each case. For example, if the wires are broken, then they are connected or part of the wiring is replaced, which will eliminate electric shocks when touching the plate body.

Reason # 2 - violation of the integrity of the insulation

Today, gas stoves are crammed with a lot of wires to increase functionality and ensure operability. The insulation of which is easily destroyed when exposed to high temperatures and mechanical stress.

Sometimes gas stoves come with defective wires. In addition, the insulation breaks down with aging. All of the above become the causes of malfunctions. The problem is eliminated by replacing damaged wires.

To identify which methods are used:

• visual inspection;
• measurement of resistances in individual areas.

In the latter case, you need to use a multimeter with a megohmmeter function. Before starting the “ringing” procedure, the stove must be de-energized.

Despite the fact that the procedure for identifying the problem area and wire connections quite simple, it should be understood that gas equipment is a source of increased danger, so even they should be entrusted to specialists.

Reason # 3 - oxidation of contacts

Traditionally, wiring problem areas are not isolated areas. The reasons are usually difficult operating conditions. That is, elevated temperatures, their regular drops and even the usual overflow of liquids, which quite often happens when cooking, have an effect.

The methods of detecting and eliminating the malfunction are the same as in the case of violation of the integrity of the insulation of wires. All features are described in the previous paragraph.

Reason # 4 - violation of the integrity of the wires

Damage to such structural elements of the slabs occurs under critical mechanical loads. And often this happens through the fault of users. For example, during the elimination of contaminants that have got into the inside of the gas stove. Or when trying to adjust, replace any parts (candles, temperature sensors).

It is often possible to identify a malfunction visually. In other cases, a multimeter must be used.

The best way to repair the damage is to replace it. That is, you should not risk connecting broken wires together.

Reason # 5 - breakdown of the electric grill heating element

The presence of such a problem is often indicated by an unreasonable increase in the temperature of the housing or the electric heating element itself, even in the off position.

It will be possible to eliminate the malfunction by replacing the problematic structural element. What should be entrusted to the master.

Reason # 6 - the formation of a conductive "bridge"

Most of the gas stove electrical appliances are located under the gas stove table and next to the burners. That is, they are not sufficiently protected from spilled liquids, grease, food particles. Which leads to the formation of contamination directly on the surfaces of auto-ignition plugs, temperature sensors, wires. The situation is aggravated by dust and high temperatures, which can lead to melting, combustion of foreign particles.

All of the above makes the operating conditions of electrical equipment difficult, often leads to damage to the integrity of the insulation of wires or other damage. And then the situation is further complicated by the fact that so-called conductive "bridges" are created, which lead to current shocks of various strengths.

But often the electrical equipment remains intact. To check this, you need to clean the plate.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect the gas stove from the power supply.
2. Dismantle the stove table.
3. Clean electrical equipment. Namely, temperature sensors, candles, auto ignition units, wiring. What is done with brushes, detergents.
4. Measure the resistances of all electrical elements of the gas stove structure.

If there are no faults, then the operation of the gas appliance can be continued. If a problem is identified, the faulty node is replaced with a new one.

Reason # 7 - capacitor problems

Capacitors are used to smooth out impulse noise. And usually they are reliable. But, nevertheless, if the presence of more common causes of breakdowns has not been confirmed, and you have not have found out why it shocks from your gas stove, then you should find a capacitor and check it working capacity.

Defective capacitors must be replaced.

Reason # 8 - the influence of interference from other devices

In this case, the gas stove is absolutely serviceable. Nevertheless, users will regularly experience current discharges.

The fact is that the stress on the plate body appears interference from other electrical devices (washing machines, warm floors, etc.). Moreover, it may be that they are located in neighboring rooms, apartments.

In simple cases, the malfunction can be corrected by the user himself. For example, sometimes for this you just need to move a nearby washing machine or use non-conductive supports, gaskets. For example, by installing them between a stove and a pipe or other equipment.

But in most cases, you cannot do without an invitation from a specialist.

Reason # 9 - outlet malfunction

Although the socket is not part of the slab, it is a common cause of current flowing through the slab structure.

The functionality of the sockets is influenced by different types of loads, namely:

• mechanical;
• current.

If in the first case the breakdown occurs quickly and usually its consequences are noticeable visually, then with critical current loads the problem can be hidden, and for a long time. Or have not pronounced signs in the form of minor discharges of electricity. But in the end, everything ends with a breakdown of the gas stove, and sometimes accidents.

That's why faulty socket must be replaced, and quickly.

After completion of the work, it is necessary to perform a functional check.

All, without exception, operations must be performed by specialists. The reason is that most jobs require special knowledge and skills.

If grounding is not provided?

For a multi-storey building (residential, non-residential), developers usually create a single ground loop.

In the same way, one should approach the solution of problems for residents of houses in which grounding is not provided. When all electrical appliances in the house are grounded, it will be possible to achieve an optimal level of fire safety.

And the creation of a single contour in a multi-storey building will facilitate its official design. This is an important point, because grounding can be operated legally only after permission is given for this.

For which it is necessary to perform a number of actions:

1. Project creation.
2. Coordination of the project with Rostekhnadzor and the company that supplies electricity.
3. Creation of a ground loop.
4. Checking the performance of the structure, which must be performed by representatives of the energy supervision authorities.

If the house is large and the total power consumption of electricity exceeds 100 kW, then when the project is changed, you will have to receive an admission certificate. This document is indefinite and allows the operation of household electrical equipment.

Individual grounding for the apartment

Now let's figure out what to do if the gas stove suddenly starts to shock, and the owners of other rooms in the house do not want to take care of safety. In this case, it is possible to get out of the situation on your own. Why do you need to create an individual grounding.

But at the same time it should be remembered that "partisan" actions cannot be taken. That is, a metal bucket buried under the window is not the right solution. Since this would violate the provisions of a number of documents: chapter 1.7 PUE, which takes into account the requirements for grounding conductors, and, possibly, the terms of the contract between the management company and the electricity supplier. Therefore, the procedure for creating grounding should begin with coordination.

If there are no obstacles from other stakeholders, then a project should be created and approved by Rostekhnadzor. And then you can start work.

Which, as in the case of the general outline for the entire building, must end with the invitation of specialists from the energy supervision authorities to carry out an inspection.

About what the protective circuit should be said in the PUE. Chapter 1.7 of which indicates that it is made from a number of mandatory elements:

• Single-core PE conductor, which serves to divert electricity in case of its leakage. It is made of copper or aluminum wire.
• Ground bus. Such a device is usually placed on every floor of a building. Protective circuits of individual apartments and other premises are fed and connected to the main bus.
• Electrodes and plates (made of metal conductive corners, pins) in the amount of 3 pieces. The pins are interconnected by plates at an equal distance from each other. Then they are driven into the ground near the building.

All conductive parts of the structure must be insulated without fail. This is done to prevent electric shock by direct or indirect contact.

If you live in a private house, and not in an apartment, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with installation instructions ground loop in the house.

The wires used to create protection against electricity leakage must have:

• the cross-sectional area is the same as that of a phase conductor with a cross-section of up to 16 mm²;
• the cross-sectional area is not less than 16 mm², if the same indicator of the phase conductor is within 16-35 mm²;
• the cross-sectional area is not less than half that of the phase wire.

That is, if the voltage is applied to a gas stove, which bears an electric current, through a wire with a cross-section of 4 mm², then this indicates that the grounding must be made of a wire of 4 mm².

How to replace the protective circuit?

A way out for residents of a house without grounding can be to connect an electric gas stove to RCD or difavtomat.

These devices are also protective devices that can protect the user from electric shock in case of leakage and maintain the performance of the gas stove, like any other equipment.

But the peculiarity of the RCD is that it de-energizes the apartment, another room only with dangerous leakage values. That is, the specified device will save life, health and maintain the performance of all electrical appliances, but it will not allow "tingling" to be avoided.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the connection diagrams RCD and differential automaton, and the order of work.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The first video contains information that will allow you to understand some of the causes of current leakage and understand how to deal with them:

The following video shows how you can independently detect the presence of a leakage current:

The presence of a discharge on the body of the gas stove indicates that it is faulty or there are problems in the electrical network. The situation is complicated by the fact that "blue" fuel is fire and explosive. That's why operation of the stove should be terminated immediately after the first signs of malfunction are detected. This will prevent accidents.

Your stove has also been electrocuted recently, but have you successfully dealt with this problem? Share your experience with other users, tell us what the breakdown was and how you managed to fix it - the comment form is located below this post.