Shock! Byron Home Easy Socket (HE109)

Harvin · 01-04-2009, 9:40 PM

Hi - just added a Byron Home Easy remote socket (HE109) today to replace a standard wall socket.
After turning the electrics back on I decided to use an electrical screwdriver tester to check whether all was safe to touch.
The socket fascia was fine - but when I touched the on/off buttons the blue LED came on and the screwdriver lit up!
I turned the electrics back off and checked the wiring - all was fine. To be on the safe side I disconnected the socket and opened another HE109 socket packet. I connected this one up, turned the electrics back on again and used the electrical screwdriver tester to touch the on/off buttons again. Once again the tester lit up, indicating a live curent was passing through the button.
Surely both my sockets can't be duff.
If anyone has one of these sockets that they use, can you cary out the above test to see whether the current that's registering is harmless. ie. Grab an electrical tester and see if you register a curent too. Obviously I don't want to risk touching it and getting a shock.
I look forward to your replies in anticipation.

stevelup · 01-04-2009, 9:48 PM

Those electrical testing screwdrivers are worse than useless. They are also dangerous - don't ever trust it with your life. You should really throw it away right now!

Why?

1) They aren't guaranteed to work. If you're wearing well insulated shoes in a dry environment, you could touch it on a live wire and it wouldn't light up. You might then think it's safe and proceed to electrocute yourself.

2) If they get wet, water can get stuck inside them - when you next use it, you will get zapped!

Anyway - back to your question

The buttons on the HE109 are live - they are connected to the mains via a couple of high value resistors. That's how they work - it's perfectly safe.

The technology used is exactly the same as these dimmers.

Steve

Steve

Harvin · 01-04-2009, 9:57 PM

Steve - appreciate the quick response.

The screwdriver tester is definitely working as I was using it throughout the installation.
So, are you saying that all properly connected HE109 sockets would expect to light up a tester and that I won't get a shock if I touch it?
I have Varilight switches that look the same, but when I tested with their on/off buttons the tester indicated no live current was passing through.
Sorry for perhaps appearing sceptical, but the way I'm understanding electricity is if there's enough of a current to light up a tester will get a shock.
I just need some convincing that this won't be the case. (I've had a very bad electrical shock in the past hence my wariness)
Cheers.

stevelup · 01-04-2009, 10:09 PM

Hi

It's a combination of current and voltage that is harmful. Your tester needs virtually no current whatsoever to illuminate - if you rub it on a wooly jumper, it will light up.

Try your tester on the Varilight dimmer again - but this time make sure one of your hands is touching the faceplate (if metal) or one of the screws (if plastic).

I've just tested mine with a meter and there is 130V present when on full brightness.

Crappy photo below (was hard to do with one hand!

)

Harvin · 01-04-2009, 10:17 PM

Steve - you are the man!

I've just tried it now on my Varilight and am seeing my tester light up. I can only put it down to the brightness of the room earlier why I didn't see it. (Remote socket was in dark corner and Varilight switch was in daylight).

I'm now convinced and looking forward to my bit of DIY tomorrow!

Thanks again!