After a bit of advice...

Long story short:

- Bought house
- Got electricuted off anything metal plugged in to mains (mostly in kitchen, ie dishwasher, toaster, extractor etc)
- Got electrician round who said it was due to not having an earth installed.
- Electrican installed earth, job was a good'un

- Few days ago, used microwave for first time and noticed getting electricuted off the inside.
- Electrican came back out and found the cable had been extended, but only live/neutral were wired as it was a cheap cable, leaving earth disconnected.
- Electrican put a proper 3-wire cable in so earthed again, problem solved.


Anyway, my question is, I didn't think an Earth was essential? Obviously its there for safety, but I thought in most cases it wasn't used, and certainly shouldnt electrocute you if its not present?

It sounds to me like there is still a problem somewhere, and this has just masked the problem?
Am I also right in thinking that instead of 100-200 volts (what we measured the metal appliances were hitting us with) going to the case of the appliances, it is now getting filtered out to earth.
This would also mean we are wasting electricity as 24/7 roughly 200 volts are just being pumped out to earth?
I'm probably missing something, but would love clarification from someone in the know!
Cheers