Worried my electric sockets are not earthed

[Notcontent]

I am hoping someone with some knowledge can help. I will obviously get expert advice if necessary...

Basically two things are worrying me. Firstly, I have a new induction hob (never had one before) and I noticed that I can feel a weird vibration when I touch the metal handle of a pot when using it.

Secondly, when charging apple phones or MacBook (which have metal cases) I can feel a weird vibrating charge when I touch them. My googling suggests this means that my sockets might not be earthed! Worried....

I have an Ipad and the weird vibratey charge thing always happens regardless of where I plug it in (home/parents/hotels)

It's been a while since I had an induction hob but i do remember that weird buzzing thing too.

That’s reassuring - thanks

I agree this is quite normal and doesn't mean your sockets aren't earthed. It would be very unlikely for them not to be.

I can feel a vibration from a charging iPhone or iPad too, when they don’t have a case on

A/C current "vibrates" (oscillates) 50 times a second here in the UK. Its not uncommon to pick up a buzzing or vibration from cheap DC transformers, or from equipment that pulls a lot of current like an induction hob.

I did once visit a house where there was an earth fault, they kept getting a small shock from the metal sink where there was a difference in electrical potential. No fizzing sockets.

Thanks for that helpful explanation @c3pu

you can buy a simple instrument that checks for incorrectly wired sockets and missing earths, such as the Martindale or the Megger Socket Tester. There are also some cheaper or unbranded imports which might be OK.

If you still have doubts, however, an inspection and test by a qualified electrician who is a member of one of the Competent Person schemes can be more thorough and more accurate.

The earthing and bonding in your house, especially if old, might need testing and upgrading to modern standards. This is not usually a very major job. some pre-1970 houses still need plastic light switches and fittings because the the lighting circuits are unearthed.