plug sockets aren't working

[tapps]

Hello, we recently redecorated our kitchen. In doing this we changed the positions of some of our plug sockets. These all work fine and have no problems. However since doing this 4 different plug sockets in 2 separate rooms have stopped working. We have tested the electrics and using the mains tester pushing straight down it shows no power but when youseparate rooms have stopped working. We have tested the electrics and using the mains tester pushing straight down it shows no power but when you angle it to the left and right it shows power. But nothing works once plugged in. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks in advance. angle it to the left and right it shows power. But nothing works once plugged in. Does anybody have any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

1) neon screwdriver single pole voltage detectors should not be used, the are unreliable and dangerous. When testing use approved safe two pole equipment
2) Safely isolate circuit and check that you have not nipped the insulator of the cable up within the screw terminals and also look for loose connection.

3)Please note the alterations and relocation of sockets and buried cables (less than 50mm within wall and not mechanically protected), require a minor works or electrical installation certificate and also now require 30mA RCD protection on parts where the alterations have been made!

4) The cables have been installed within the permitted safe zones?

 

[pjcomp]

First up ignore what your mains tester is "telling" you - in this situation you need something more sophisticated.

Second, you say you just moved a few sockets around - it must have been more than that. To move them implies you lengthened or shortened cables going to those sockets, and you unscrewed and screwed up terminals. Somewhere in those operations you did something wrong which has left you without power to the other rooms which, presumably, are part of the same circuit as the kitchen*. I would suggest you get someone in to sort it out for you, as the content of the question suggests you don't have the experience or knowledge to sort it yourself.

*Of course the other sockets might be on a different circuit, and you have inadvertently switched this off at the consumer unit/unplugged the fuse. Just worth checking.

pj

 

[AndyPRK]

Does your mains tester have 3 lights on a plug?

 

[securespark]

It would be helpful to have pictures of what you did, what your sockets look like and what your test equipment looks like.

 

[ericmark]

I can only guess be here goes:-
Somewhere the neutral was parted and was not a ring although likely the line was. When you did the work you also somewhere allowed the neutral to become disconnected so between the two points there is now no neutral.

When working on sockets testing is very important.
1) Test and note the loop impedance.
2) On removing socket test the ring is intact if not correct before going any further.

Note:- Clearly if not intact after completion you will expect lower loop impedance readings than at start but if it is intact the same readings will be measured.

3) Do the work.
4) Retest see note so even if you were to get a wire come off as last socket was replaced the loop impedance figures would alert one of the errors.

OK now to the DIY world where you don't have a loop tester. Again with power off main isolator not a MCB as the MCB does not disconnect the neutral so you can get wrong readings.

With a multimeter test both there is continuity between earth pair of wires i.e. earth, neutral and line and also there is no connection earth neutral and line. Until you get correct readings do not proceed with any alterations.

It is likely when you check the two neutral wires you will find no connection and you will need to remove sockets to find the fault. You can take a guess one fault where you have worked last socket in the run and other one last socket working in the other direction.

It will be a long job. In theroy without the special meters an electrician uses you should not do the job. In practice yes you will do it but it will take a lot longer.

There are things you will never find with a multimeter our insulation testers use 500 volt to test and the RCD tester will measure milliseconds it takes for a RCD to trip. A plug in tester like this

with loop test will show many more faults than you are likely to find with a multimeter but you will still need the multimeter to find the rest.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I can only guess also, here goes:
DIY hash up, plug and play merchant!
As soon as you mention using approved instruments and methods, they seem to go ignore or go into hiding!

 

[ericmark]

I look at it like this.
DIY people will always have a go.
We can't make what they do safe but we can reduce the risk.
Tell people not to do something without giving good reasons is useless.
Not complying with regulations is not a good reason.

So the danger with DIY is loss of the ring. Testing in the consumer unit will subject the DIY guy to too much danger so main isolator off and test at socket.

Since where he moved the probe around it lit likely there is line to the sockets, and even without an earth they will still work so most likely a neutral fault.

The problem is of course 2.5mm cable is good for around 20A and the fuse or MCB is likely 32A so there is a danger the cable can become overloaded if the fault is not corrected. So there is a very real danger of fire or cables damaged requiring a rewire if not corrected.

Telling the DIY guy it will likely cost him money if not corrected is far more likely to get him to do it right than simple saying it does not comply with regulations.