sockets stopped working but

The circiut with the problem is a radial supplying 13a sockets, wired in 2.5mm twin, at the consumer unit the breaker is a cet 32a mcb.
Everything was working fine, plugged the kettle in , after a minute the kettle stop working,
thought the mcb had tripped went to comsumer unit and mcb had not tripped.
Metered the socket and 240v between L/E ,240V between N/E and 0v between L/N.
Before this happened everything had worked fine , nothing had been touched and it's the same kettle used many times.
now none of the sockets on the circuit work at all.but all have the same meter readings as above
All the other circuits in the house are working fine

Firstly, if it's a radial wired in 2.5mm T+E, it shouldn't be on a 32A breaker, as that will exceed the rating of the cable. If it's a ring final, then that would be OK.

My suspicion would be that the neutral has become disconnected at the CU end, so the 240V you're seeing N/E is from the return current of some device plugged in to the circuit, I suspect if you unplugged everything from the circuit, you'd end up with nothing between N/E.

While the default advice would be to get a qualified eletrician in (especially if the circuit might be a radial rather than a ring), if you're confident opening up the CU (remember even with the main switch off the tails going in to the switch will still be live, unless you have a separate isolator), then you could have a look and try and identify the neutral(s) for the circuit, and verify if it is/they are still connected. Also look for any signs of charring etc (if it was a loose connection, then they may have been some arcing etc). If there is only one wire in the breaker and neutral etc, then do not continue to use the circuit, get an electrician in who can decide whether to downrate the circuit, or turn it in to a ring etc.

Note that even if there are two wires, that is not a guarantee that the circuit is a ring, you would need to (with the power off obviously, and with everything unplugged) meter between the two lives, the two neutrals, and the two CPCs (earths), you should have continuity between each pair of wires...

Sounds like you have a disconnected neutral. Any other appliances connected to the circuit will pull it up to the same voltage as live.

2.5mm radial on a 32A breaker sounds a bit dodgy. Could it be that you are drawing more than 20ish amps and overloading the cable?

If not, check for loose connections in the neutral for that circuit, specifically at the consumer unit (kill the main switch first) and the first socket.

Colin C

EDIT: Damn beaten to it.

thanks for the information, i have checked all the neturals in the C/U and tightened all the terminals on all the connections , including the neturals. no sign of arching,

Were there two neutrals for the circuit, and if so do you get continuity between them, and equivalent question for the lives - this may help to narrow down the problem.

(If it is a proper ring final circuit, then it is surprising that you've lost the neutral, since even if one wire failed, it should be available via the other half of the ring (not that it's a safe situation to be in though))

If you could upload a pic of the inside of your CU, and indicate which breaker is the problematic one, it might be easier for people to advise...

There is one netural and live and earth for the circuit, can't take a pic of the the breaker at present, but it is a CET 32A

Assuming they definitely are 2.5mm CSA cable, then you should not use the circuit, as the cable could be overloaded. If it's 4mm CSA, then it's potentially OK.

If it has been overloaded, then it is possible the cable has failed somewhere, breaking the circuit. Alternatively, it could be as simple as a neutral has fallen out of a socket somewhere, breaking the circuit...

I would suggest you get a qualified electrician in who can hopefully locate the fault, and determine if the cable needs replacing, or if it can be repaired and then simply downrate the breaker etc.

thanx again for all the advice, turned out the c/u unit had been moved and the ring main had been cut joined together with choc blocks then a single 2.5 mm put in the choc blocks fed through the wall to the new c/u position and connected into the 32a breaker.
All the choc blocks had melted the metal terminals and conductors had arched and welded together, lucky to escape a house fire,
repaired the damage and now
the circiut has now been made into two radials on 20a mcb