Another electrical problem

[123hotchef]

well it wasnt the new socket either

 

[WorkshopChris]

As brigtspark said split it, don't take anything else apart till you have narrowed it down. If its a L > E fault with the insulation pierced you need to find roughly where it is before you disturb it.

 

[123hotchef]

I cant see how something has been damaged it has been fine for 2 years strange it rears its head now I did think it may be the outside socket so I took that off the wall too and it was dry inside, ok I guess ill split the circuit next then. What is the db?

 

[123hotchef]

I cant see how something has been damaged it has been fine for 2 years strange it rears its head now I did think it may be the outsid

what u can do is part the ring main at a socket roughly in the middle of the circuit then part one leg of ring at the db. turn back on if its ok its the other leg that's faulty. if it trips put the other leg in and remove the one connected . that will half your problem and narrow it down a bit by half

how do i know which is which in the socket and CU?

 

[123hotchef]

parting all the neutrals and with breakers off a simple insulation test would answer your question in 5 minutes flat where the fault lies and which circuit . as said there may be a neutral to earth fault in another circuit

Dont I need some special equipment for this

 

[brightspark]

yes an insulation tester . better known as a megger

 

[WorkshopChris]

This problem is generally one of 3 things.

Water/moisture ingress.
mechanical damage from vibration or pressure (something pushing on insulation slowly squashes till it contacts)
Overload causing thermal breakdown of insulation.

 

[123hotchef]

Ok problem solved turned out to be the first thing I checked well not well enough huh!

The cheap toolstation out side socket! I was sure it was the problem after all the rain even though it is under the car port.

After taking it apart again then dismantling completley it was damp inside not visable unless taken apart bit by bit, it is now inside drying the circuit is working fine ill reinstall the outside socket again tomorrow once it is dry

 

[123hotchef]

thanks for all your help people, a sit down with a nice G+T was what i needed to solve the problem!

ill stick a pic up of the cheap crap socket in a moment

 

[123hotchef]

 

[123hotchef]

 

[brightspark]

there the *****. bin it and buy a decent make one that u can use without the cover open there only about 12 quid. here http://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-nexus-13a-2g-dp-switched-socket/67928?kpid=67928&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product Listing Ads-_-Sales Tracking-_-sales tracking url&gclid=CPC19IHRlM8CFVQ_GwodYXEGdg

Mod Edit: Language

 

[123hotchef]

Oh I'll be binning it mate and getting the mk one never will I get that cheap rubbish again. I do like the mk sockets even though they ain't what they use to be

 

[brightspark]

ohh and by the way u need to drill a small hole in the bottom to let any moisture drain that gets in . even the best u have to . trouble with the mk ones is there not switched

 

[123hotchef]

yes i did drill a small hole in the wall mounted box for that purpose, that one was not switched either. TBH I dont need it switched it is under te car port for when working on the motors.