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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: davids3511 on July 13, 2014, 04:58:21 pm

Title: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: davids3511 on July 13, 2014, 04:58:21 pm
First time I ever got a shock from a pole. It was like someone pinched me, first time I though a stone had fallen from the gutter and hit my hand. 15 shocks later I knew it wasn't a stone.

I think the extremely dry debris was creating static leccy and it slid down the pole and when it built up, it shocked me. As the dirt slid past my hand on the pole, the hairs on my arm were standing up straight. I think normally there is wet sludge lining the inside of the pole and hose which earths the poles to the vac. With it being so dry the pole earthed via my arm.

Anyone else had this? Could it be my vac on the way out?
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: davids3511 on July 13, 2014, 04:58:49 pm
PS No electrical wires in the gutters, got my camera on a pole out and checked.
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Avo on July 13, 2014, 05:43:47 pm
I've had this twice both on hot days weirdly I went to the van and put a pair of joka gloves on and it stopped
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Paul T on July 13, 2014, 05:46:07 pm
What vac and system you got mate ?

Paul
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: davids3511 on July 13, 2014, 06:11:45 pm
Numatic 230v WVD-570-2 with gutter sucker poles
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: davids3511 on July 13, 2014, 06:12:17 pm
I've had this twice both on hot days weirdly I went to the van and put a pair of joka gloves on and it stopped
They must be rubber gloves so wouldn't conduct the electricity.
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Fin Clearview on July 13, 2014, 06:26:28 pm
Never had this YET touch wood, we've got a Numatic 900. Get it in for a service, get the motor checked out?
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: J.D on July 13, 2014, 07:01:12 pm
Sounds like nerve damage to me! It can be like receiving a shock but its actually the nerve endings in your wrists and arms! This is a common  symptom of carpal tunnel injury as well.....

Then again of course it could be the extremely unlikely cause of static electricity. 
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Smart Carpet on July 13, 2014, 07:06:56 pm
It is static electricity, like you say, from the very dry debris. 

It's impossible for the motor to short out along a plastic 30ft hose and zap you, unless you're doing something ridiculously stupid.
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Fin Clearview on July 13, 2014, 07:44:58 pm
Sounds like nerve damage to me! It can be like receiving a shock but its actually the nerve endings in your wrists and arms! This is a common  symptom of carpal tunnel injury as well.....

Then again of course it could be the extremely unlikely cause of static electricity. 

I'm glad your not my doctor i doubt nerve damage would make all the hairs on your arm stand up!
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Craig downey on July 13, 2014, 09:45:20 pm
Hi, I have just started using a sky vac with carbon poles, and yes I get shocked when stuff is coming down the poles.... Having said that I did get a couple of big ones when I was sucking water up from a bucket (to clean the system) I now wear rubber gloves and it seem to help.

I did think I must be static because it was very dry, but the bucket of water proved that point wrong
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Avo on July 13, 2014, 10:04:12 pm
Is this problem only to sky vac users then???

A bit weird.
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: Craig downey on July 13, 2014, 11:21:55 pm
Is this problem only to sky vac users then???

A bit weird.

When the guys first came and give me a demo of the machine, I asked, do I need to be carefull around over head wires?  They both looked at each other .... Like an uncomfortable silence, then said be carefull they do conduct elec. 

I got an uneasy feeling buy the way they looked at each other, but that was as far as it went.
Title: Re: Gutter vacing yesterday - shocks from pole
Post by: koopmaster on July 15, 2014, 08:25:35 am
both metal and carbon conduct electricity.  if you have a slx it actually has a warning on it.