I was changing some outdoor lights. I had the circuit breaker off (which stopped the lights from working) and the switch off. I used a contactless circuit tester and a testing screwdriver which suggested there was no current.
When working on the live wire I felt a slight buzz – not strong enough to call it a shock – so I shorted it to ground with a screwdriver and there was a spark. After that there is no more buzz from the wire and nothing tripped.
Given the circuit breaker is off how was it possible to get a very small shock from the live wire? Is it residual charge in appliances on the circuit discharging? Is there anything one should do when working in this situation?
Best Answer
I would be looking at a multi wire branch circuit that was not handle tied OR possibly someplace the neutrals for 2 circuits got mixed up. Kind of the same thing but if the neutral was returning current from a different breaker you have turned off you could get a shocking experience, I have found both issues in the past and that is where I would be looking.