shocking makita angle grinder

**mic-d** · 7th February 2005, 09:18 PM

I have a 4" Makita angle grinder that has an arbortech mini grinder attachment on it. While I was cutting back some timber with it the other day, it give me a bit of a shock whenever I touched the metal gearbox. Naturally I immediately stopped using it as soon as the job was finished

and resolved to take it to the powertool repairers. They can't find any problem with it so I was just wondering what could be causing it? I wonder if it is a static buildup through the attachment. Any ideas?
Cheers
Michael

**Harry72** · 7th February 2005, 11:55 PM

Did you try it in another power point? It maybe a bad earth conection, making you the earth?(if thats possible?)

**chook** · 8th February 2005, 01:18 AM

"It give me a bit of a shock whenever I touched the metal gearbox. Naturally I immediately stopped using it as soon as the job was finished."

Naturally! :eek:

**Dan** · 8th February 2005, 07:23 AM

If you have earth leakage protection on your power points and it didn't trip, and with the grinder being double insulated (no earth connection) then I think it would be safe to assume it was static.

**Iain** · 8th February 2005, 10:46 AM

Unless it's a very old Makita I would suggest that the unit is double insulated and the arbortech runs a synthetic belt from the grinder to the blade, what we have sounds like a Van de Graaf generator, instant static.

**chook** · 8th February 2005, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Iain

Unless it's a very old Makita I would suggest that the unit is double insulated and the arbortech runs a synthetic belt from the grinder to the blade, what we have sounds like a Van de Graaf generator, instant static.

I am not an electrician so I don't really know, but the above few explanations sound like they could be true. And anyway if they are not, the real cause will make a very interesting conversation starter at the party after the funeral.

**mic-d** · 9th February 2005, 08:42 PM

Yes it is a double insulated grinder and anyway the house has an rcd. I think that it was quite a hefty static charge being generated, and being in an airconditioned room did not help...

**macca172** · 9th February 2005, 08:57 PM

If it was mine, I have it checked out by a qualified electrician before I used it again....better safe that sorry!

Macca

**Al B** · 9th February 2005, 09:33 PM

mic-d

Have you tried running without the arbortech attached to the angle grinder to see what happens.

**soundman** · 14th February 2005, 06:12 PM

Now this shock what was it like.

Shnack.... Ouch........ nothing.

or

Bussszzzzzzpttoooowwooowww.

If it was static the shock will have a sharper pointed nature like someone poked you with a pin.
If it was electrical leakage it would be more dull & gripping like being poked with a hot poker that vibrates.

Either way you should have the machine properly tested. Even some of the "qualified" persons are not up with the current test methods.

Ensure thet the item is checked with a 500 volt tester between the active & neutral (connected together), WITH THE SWITCH TURNED ON and the exposed metal parts. It may be wise to manualy rotate the armiture.
A healty tool should not read at all.
If In doubt test at 1000 V
If still in doubt have the tool leakage tested live during operation per AS3760
All tests are described in the standard.
There are traps and a lot of workers have not seen a recent coppy of the standard.

cheers

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