Electronic – Will standing on a non-conductive surface with wet feet prevent grounding and therefore electrocution

grounding

It is a well known fact that one should not handle electrical equipment in general and electrical home appliances in particular when barefoot, or when one's feet are wet (even when wearing flip-flops/crocs).

I was wondering, could one stand on a non-conductive surface to avoid the grounding / electrocution even when on'e feet are a little wet (say after the shower)? Perhaps a couple of newspapers? A rug?

Best Answer

The two examples you gave of non-conducting surfaces (newspapers and rugs) are both water absorbent. As soon as they get at all wet, the water in them provides a path for electricity.

Thus you are not safe from electrocution.

You say "only a little wet". Then you are in a gray area where you might wind up "only a little bit dead." Is it worth risking your life? No. Don't do it.

You would need to stand on an insulating surface that was impermeable to water and rated to handle the voltage you're exposed to. Even then you'd need to be concerned about puddles of water on the insulating floor surface making a path to ground (Say there's a puddle that is touching a drain pipe, metal radiator, or an electrical cord with an exposed earth ground connection.)