The short answer
If you get a shock or even a small tingle from a tap, shower, metal fence, appliance or anything else, stop using it, don't touch the area again, and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 straight away. If someone has had a serious shock, call 000. Essential Energy will send a crew to check whether the problem is on the network or in your own wiring. If it's in your wiring, a licensed electrician has to fix it before the power goes back on. In NSW, any electrical accident where someone needs medical treatment must be reported by law.
That's the whole job for you. The rest of this page explains why, what happens next and what to expect.
Why a tingle matters
A tingle means electricity is going somewhere it shouldn't, and some of it is going through you. A small tingle today can be a much bigger shock tomorrow, for you or for a child standing barefoot on wet tiles. Common places people feel it:
- metal taps, especially outside taps
- the shower rose, mixer or bath
- the kitchen sink
- a metal fence, clothesline or gate
- an appliance case, such as a washing machine, fridge or kettle
- a pool fence or pool equipment
The cause can be on the network side or inside your own installation, such as damaged wiring or a faulty appliance. You can't tell which from the outside, and you shouldn't try. That's why the first call is to Essential Energy, not to an electrician.
Step by step: what to do
- Stop and stay clear. Don't touch the tap, appliance or area again, and keep others away from it.
- If anyone has been hurt or had a serious shock, call 000. Follow the operator's instructions.
- Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80. This is their faults and emergencies line for Wagga and the Riverina. Tell them where you felt it and what you were touching.
- If it's safe, switch off the appliance at the power point and unplug it. If you can't reach it safely, leave it.
- Don't let anyone use that tap, shower or appliance until it's been checked.
What happens when Essential Energy comes out
Essential Energy sends a crew to test. Expect your power to be disconnected while they work it out. Then one of two things happens:
- It's a network fault. Essential Energy fixes it, free of charge.
- It's a fault in your own wiring or appliances. It has to be fixed by a licensed electrician, at the owner's cost. The power stays off until that's done.
This is where we come in. Nelson will find the fault, fix it, test the circuits and hand over a certificate (CCEW) for the work. Finding a fault like this is charged by the hour, so the cost depends on how long it takes to track down. Travel is free close to Wagga and charged further out. See fault finding.
Nelson doesn't advertise 24/7 emergency call-outs, so if the power has been disconnected after hours, call and leave a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Reporting a shock: what NSW law says
The NSW Government says: "By law you must report any electrical accident where medical treatment is required." You report it to your electricity provider (for most of the Riverina, that's Essential Energy on 13 20 80) or to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20. The legal basis is Part 6 of the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017, which defines a serious electrical accident and covers notifying it.
At work, there's an extra duty. Under the Work Health and Safety Act, an electric shock is a "dangerous incident" that the business must notify to SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 immediately, even if nobody was injured. Shocks from static electricity or extra-low voltage are excluded. That includes farm sheds, workshops and shops, not just big worksites.
Even if nobody was hurt and it was only a tingle at home, still call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 so it gets checked.
Safety switches: your backup
A safety switch (RCD) cuts the power quickly when it detects current leaking to earth, which can happen when it flows through a person. It's there to protect you against electric shock, and it gives some protection against electrical fires too. AS/NZS 3000:2018, the Wiring Rules, requires household RCDs rated at no more than 30 mA.
Two things worth knowing:
- Many older homes still have no safety switches, or only one on the power points. NSW doesn't force owner-occupiers to retrofit them, but they're one of the best safety upgrades you can buy. See safety switches.
- A safety switch only helps if it works. The NSW Government recommends pressing the "T" or "Test" button about every 6 months. If the power doesn't cut off, or the switch won't reset, call a licensed electrician. Here's how to test a safety switch.
A safety switch that keeps tripping is often doing exactly its job. Don't keep resetting it; read safety switch keeps tripping.
Renting?
If you rent and get a tingle or shock, call 13 20 80 (or 000 if serious) first, then tell your landlord or agent straight away. Any electrical fault in a NSW rental is an urgent repair, and tenants must report faults right away. Landlords must get urgent repairs done within a reasonable time, by a licensed electrician.
Don't fix it yourself
Tracing a tingle means testing live circuits and earth connections. It's dangerous, and DIY electrical work is illegal in NSW. The NSW Government says homeowners shouldn't do anything beyond changing a light globe. DIY electrical work can also void your home insurance.
Common questions
Who do I call if I get a tingle from a tap?
Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 straight away and don't touch the tap again. If someone has had a serious shock, call 000. Essential Energy checks the network side first; if the fault is in your wiring, you'll need a licensed electrician.
Is a small tingle from the shower dangerous?
Treat it as dangerous. It means current is flowing where it shouldn't, and it can get worse. Stop using the shower and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80.
Do I have to report an electric shock in NSW?
Yes, if medical treatment was needed. NSW law requires electrical accidents needing medical treatment to be reported to your electricity provider or NSW Fair Trading (13 32 20). In a workplace, the business must also notify SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 immediately, even if nobody was hurt.
Who pays to fix the fault?
If the fault is on the network, Essential Energy fixes it free of charge. If it's in your own wiring or appliances, it must be fixed by a licensed electrician at the owner's cost, and the power stays off until it's repaired.
Would a safety switch have stopped the shock?
A working 30 mA safety switch cuts power quickly when it detects current leaking to earth, which is what protects you against electric shock. It doesn't make a faulty installation safe, though. The fault still needs to be found and fixed.