So there I was in the loft, cutting the cable that runs from the CU to supply the upstairs lights, as it needs to be rerouted, and a temporary (yes I know all about those) "cut'n'shut" with choc-blocks was in order.
Verified 100% that the circuit was dead, opened up the sheath so that I could cut the cores one at a time, and avoid tripping the RCD. Me no stupid.
"That's odd", I thought, as my hand brushed the cut end of the live conductor, "could have sworn I felt something there. Ah yes, that'll be the borrowed neutral, won't it."
So I cut through the neutral, and the landing light went out...
Fortunately I did have the sense to realise that the downstream end of the cable was now very much live, and called down to my helper to turn off the downstairs lights as well for a few minutes.
So next time someone asks you why you shouldn't have B-Ns, tell 'em it's not some academic restriction - refer them here....
Verified 100% that the circuit was dead, opened up the sheath so that I could cut the cores one at a time, and avoid tripping the RCD. Me no stupid.
"That's odd", I thought, as my hand brushed the cut end of the live conductor, "could have sworn I felt something there. Ah yes, that'll be the borrowed neutral, won't it."
So I cut through the neutral, and the landing light went out...
Fortunately I did have the sense to realise that the downstream end of the cable was now very much live, and called down to my helper to turn off the downstairs lights as well for a few minutes.
So next time someone asks you why you shouldn't have B-Ns, tell 'em it's not some academic restriction - refer them here....