Electricians about? Need advice please.

cpu

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?TabID=1&criteria=Timeguard&ModuleNo=96833&doy=20m12

Bought the above weatherbox and wired it to an RCD plug (http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=16930&ts=29907) using Arctic cable. Been working a treat for the outdoor decs so I thought I'd go buy another one.

Got another box and some more Arctic cable but didn't bother with an RCD plug and just used an ordinary one this time.

I plug the lead in and the light comes on, on the extension power strip but as soon as anything is plugged into the strip, it trips my power and all the electricity goes off.

I took the weatherbox back to Maplin and exchanged it, thinking the strip was faulty but the same thing is happening with the new one. I also changed the fuse in the plug but still the same.

Is it possible there may be a break along the length of the cable somewhere perhaps that's causing this to happen? I've got no other guesses.

I can't go back to Maplin again as it looks like it may not be the box at fault.

Not sure where to go from here. I can easily buy more cable but what if it's not that?

mepone9

are you sure you have connected it up correctly at the plug and the weatherbox

fatnbald

When you say it trips your power is it an RCD that is tripping?

Anything outside the main equipotential zone (main body of your house) must be protected by a RCD device, if it is not an RCD protecting it then you MUST fit one.

Assuming it is an RCD that is tripping when an item is plugged in then you are correct in assuming there is a fault somewhere on the circuit, with the sensitive nature of RCD's the slightest problem will cause it to trip, reversed wiring, damp, broken / poor connections will all make it go. I would suggest you check the bit you did - nothing personal but the Maplin one is probably tested on a test rig before shipping, unless it is an obvious fault you are unlikely to find it without some sort of test meter to track it down.

cpu

The main electric board for the whole house has a trip circuit built into it so if anything is wrong the electricity is shut off everywhere, lights, sockets the lot.

Anyway after phoning the manufacture's helpline ( I was certain I had wired correctly) , it would appear that it may well be a faulty batch that my local Maplin had. I am getting one sent out direct from manufacturer and this will either confirm or deny that this is the case.

I took the powerstrip out of the weatherproof box and replaced it with an old one I had in the house anyway (using same cable and same plug) and it all works well so I am fairly confident that the Maplin powerstrip is at fault.

Thanks for replying.