Home electrical problem -sockets tripping

fuzyfelt

I just had the same problem yesterday - downstairs sockets tripping all electrics. Took me a couple of hours to remember the submersible pump in the cellar, plugged on the same downstairs socket circuit - turned off and all worked ok. Are you sure there's nothing else plugged in - may not be obvious it is on same circuit.

Reminds me now, I must check the cellar's not flooded....

Andy

vaio

sparky883 wrote: »

........BTW "macman" could you get me about 100 of the MCB's you can get for £2-50.

The 6kA control gear direct range are available for well under £2 a pole either direct or from distributors like……..

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/32a-c-type-mcb.html

They also do a 10k range for not a lot more together with all the other stuff you would expect like dist boards, rcds etc etc

OP…..if you are sure you have unplugged everything that was connected then it’s a hardwired fault which is going to mean systematic fault finding, checking each fitting and each bit of cable. From the symptoms I’d say you can rule out the mcb as it sounds like you are taking the rcd out via a L-E fault.

One more thing you can check before getting a sparky in, repeat the turn off and remove sockets routine but check to make sure that none of the wires behind the sockets have been pinched by the screws that hold the socket on. Done any DIY drilling recently? Cooker hood or downstairs fans? External sockets or sockets in sheds off the same circuit?

Poppy9

Nothing else plugged in and OH took all sockets off wall to check for lose/worn wiring.

Then tonight as he was coming to bed he forgot he hadn't locked the garage after checking the sockets in there were unplugged and he noticed that the overhead light in the garage not working, which is strange as the other downstairs lights are on (he didn't think to try it earlier as it was daylight and he'd already checked all the lights in the house). OH in work at 8am tomorrow and not finishing till 9pm so I'll mention to Electrician when he comes in case it's a simple as that.

vaio

Got to be worth investigating

macman

Poppy9 wrote: »

Nothing else plugged in and OH took all sockets off wall to check for lose/worn wiring.

Then tonight as he was coming to bed he forgot he hadn't locked the garage after checking the sockets in there were unplugged and he noticed that the overhead light in the garage not working, which is strange as the other downstairs lights are on (he didn't think to try it earlier as it was daylight and he'd already checked all the lights in the house). OH in work at 8am tomorrow and not finishing till 9pm so I'll mention to Electrician when he comes in case it's a simple as that.

I suspect you'll just find that the garage light has been spurred off the downstairs ring main via an FCU (at least I hope there's an FCU).

macman

sparky883 wrote: »

Boiler?? Powered off ring main,Hardwired into spur,BTW "macman" could you get me about 100 of the MCB's you can get for £2-50.

Here you go then:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MK5932S.html

Poppy9

Sorted - well for now!

When house rewired the garage wasn't done and wiring at time which is original (1950s) connected to house.

Electrician isolated the garage wiring and then the sockets worked fine. Only a light and socket in garage so it's remained disconnected for now. We will have it rewired after Xmas and he'll work out a price for us.

He checked everything and charged us just £30.

Was feeling quite pleased that everything now working and opened Fridge Freezer door to get some mince out to make food for tonight when the blooming Freezer door came off in my hand!!! It's only 18 months old but unusally for me I took out an extended warranty as they offered it to me for just £50. I have the door back on but it can't be opened and they won't be an engineer here for a couple of days but my food if ruined is covered!!

zax47

I've been to an almost identical job this morning! Re-furbished bungalow - full re-wire/re-plaster/re-plumb/new kitchen & bathroom and now let. The garage (5 yds away) was still connected by a knackered piece of twin & earth, exiting through an airbrick and hung 5ft off the ground - cable tied to a piece of rope! RCD keeps tripping out - quelle surprise!!

I didn't do the re-wire, but if I had then I wouldn't have re-connected that bodge to it!! Luckily the tenants called me and not the cowboy who re-wired it for the landlord.

invisiblecabbage

fuzyfelt wrote: »

submersible pump in the cellar, plugged on the same downstairs socket circuit - turned off and all worked ok.
Reminds me now, I must check the cellar's not flooded....

Andy

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Poppy9

zax47 wrote: »

The garage (5 yds away) was still connected by a knackered piece of twin & earth, exiting through an airbrick and hung 5ft off the ground - cable tied to a piece of rope! RCD keeps tripping out - quelle surprise!!.

Our garage a bit further away from the house and no hanging wires anywhere as it's the original wiring which is buried under the drive and in the walls. He said the wiring coming in looks fine but it's obviously not and agree it's not worth attempting to trace and rectify but better for it all to be replaced, plus we want a new outside light on the garage so can all be done at same time.

Really pleased with the electrician who came out. No BS and talking to me like I'm stupid as some workmen do. He had thought about what might be wrong before coming and went straight to it.