Shocks from light switch

my mother has a pacemaker, she received a bad jolt from her lightswitch, causing her to pass out, fall, and lay on the floor part of the night. We changed that switch, but tonight she told me she got another shock. Her housekeeper and our family have never been shocked by this switch. Could it be her pacemaker causing this.

8 Comments

More Shocks

by ElectricFrank - 2008-07-05 02:07:03

Smitty's comment about static a static charge is the most likely cause of the jolt. It is very unlikely that the light switch itself is jolting her unless she is standing barefoot on a bare concrete or wet floor.
It is possible, but also very unlikely, that a static jolt in the arm on the side where the pacemaker is implanted could momentarily upset the pacemaker. This should show up on her next checkup as a pacemaker malfunction. All the more reason to have her see her doctor.
Also don't rule out the psychological effects of receiving a jolt.

frank

UNFRIENDLY SWITCH

by peter - 2008-07-05 04:07:40

Does the switch have external metal parts which you touch when you are using it? Or is it a plastic switch?
If it is has external metal components I would change the switch. If it has two metal scews fixing it then the shock could be coming from the metal screws. Put some tape over the screws to insulate them. If that cures the problem the switch needs further investigation/changing as it should not happen. I do consider it a high risk situation for someone with a pacemaker and you need to get to the bottom of it.
Smitty and Electric Frank have also made valid comments. Cheers Peter

For Zombie

by SMITTY - 2008-07-05 10:07:55

Hey Zombie,

I cannot tell you exactly what happened, but I do know that the clothes we wear and dry weather can create static electricity. Especially clothes that contain manmade materials. For example if we have on under clothes containing manmade materials such as polyester and outer garments containing natural fibers such as wool or cotton you are a walking static electricity generator. Put those materials in contact with one another when you are moving about and where humidity is low, and the little blue flame is certain to happen every time you touch metal.

I can suggest one way to prevent the charge build up. Take a small wire or chain tie it to your finger or wrist and drag it along behind you. That way you will always be grounded and the charge will not build up. An extra benefit of the ground wire is just think what a conversation starter that will be.

Good luck,

Smitty

Shocks

by SMITTY - 2008-07-05 12:07:52

Hello,

First, let me say that when it comes to pacemakers, anything is possible. However, for your mother's pacemakers to be giving her a shock when she reaches for a light switch would be highly unusual. Let me ask a few questions and offer a comment?

Is it the same switch that is shocking her or is it different switches? If it is different switches, then I think that rules out a defective light switch.

Does she get shocked every time she uses the switch or is just occasionally? If she gets shocked every time, I think that too says it is not light switches as other people would surely be getting shocked.

Is she is using the same hand each time she reaches for the slight switch? If she is using the same hand each time she gets shocked it is possible that there is a fault in a pacemaker lead and the particular position of that hand or arm is letting some of the electric impulse from the pacemaker shock her.

When she passed out had she just gotten up from sitting or lying down and reached for the switch? If she had been sitting or lying down just before she passed out, it is possible she experiencing positional hypotension (low blood pressure) because on standing this will sometimes lead to some people passing out.

If your mother had walked across carpet she could be getting shocked by static electricity. While I have never known static electricity to cause anyone to pass out, it can give a person quite a jolt at times. And this is something that only your mother could be causing and that would be because of her shoes or other wearing apparel that is causing the static electric.

Last but not least, your mother should see a doctor as there are many other things that could be causing her a problem such as you describe.

I wish her the best,

Smitty

Shoes

by Suze - 2008-07-06 02:07:11

I get shocks with metal objects - especially light switches - when I wear certain shoes or slippers in the house. Of course it only happens in the winter here in Michigan due to the dry heat put out by the furnace. If I go barefoot it never happens. This has always been the case...not just the past two years since the pacemaker implant.
These same shoes cause slight shocks in my car and in other buildings during the winter months, also. But not all the time. It's very interesting, isn't it?

Suze

No Carpet

by ElectricFrank - 2008-07-08 12:07:51

If it is dry enough a carpet isn't necessary to develop a pretty good static charge. Rubber soles like on athletic shoes can do pretty go even on vinyl flooring.
Years ago we had a guy killed by walking across a concrete hangar floor and starting work on a missile attached to an aircraft. The rocket motor fired and bounced around the hangar until it burned out. The poor fellow was standing directly behind it when it took off.

One suggestion is to hold something metal in your hand like a large key and touch other metal objects with it. The shock you get is largely from the spark jumping directly into a nerve ending on your finger. If you distribute the current over a wider part of you skin it doesn't bite so bad

frank

Wal-mart

by pacie - 2008-07-12 10:07:22

I too get electric shocks at superstores. But the main one is Wal-mart!! I can't touch ANYTHING in that blasted store without getting zapped!!!! It makes me where I don't want to reach for anything and just go home empty handed. I go there for my groceries and my clothes, etc. I guess I will go hungry and naked from now on. Hahaha...

Pacie

Stores

by kwdamelio - 2009-04-06 11:04:03

I have run into this at the grocery store. We live in humid south Florida. I generally happens down the can food aisle. Some times just touching the cart. They are nasty bolts of static. Any gas around and KABOOM! I have has it from a few light switchs at the office.

You know you're wired when...

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