Are steel house frames electrically safe?
Steel house frames can actually be safer than alternatives and all steel frames are earthed as soon as they are erected. It is a requirement that any new dwelling must be fitted with a safety switch, also known as an RCD (Residual Current Device) or an ELCN (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker). These devices are designed to prevent death by accidental electrocution. An electric current will follow the path of least resistance, the amount of current being in inverse proportion to the resistances involved. The stronger current being conducted through the lower resistance. If that resistance is very low relative to the other, nearly all the current will flow through it. This is how the process of “earthing” works. Steel is an excellent conductor of electricity. A broken or pierced wire in a timber frame can remain live, and leaking current can cause troublesome faults and fire risk. Also, a timber frame can get wet in a storm or heavy rain and can become live if there is an electrical short. R
