spur socket not working -help

[triplepete]

My dishwasher spur socket has stopped working - I have changed the socket but has made no difference. There is power there, which I have checked with a tester, but still cannot get to work. all the connections appear to be ok, I have removed and re-installed but with no success.

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem or more importantly what the solution is? Really appreciate some help!

 

[1john]

have you checked the fuse?

 

[triplepete]

its not a fused switch

 

[1john]

what about the fuse in the plug top?

 

[triplepete]

the dishwasher works if I plug into another socket, but not a long terms solution as have to use an extension lead.

there is no other fuse to test

 

[1john]

Ok, what have you used to test that there is power there? Is the socket isolated remotely, perhaps from a switch above worktop height?

 

[Monkeh]

I'd put money on it being a broken neutral and a neon screwdriver.

 

[1john]

indeed i suspect a neon screwdriver may be to blame, although benefit of the doubt and all that..

 

[bernardgreen]

There is power there, which I have checked with a tester,

What type of tester. there is a type that can clearly show voltage even when there is no voltage on the wire. And sometimes they show no voltage when there is a potentially fatal voltage. These are called neon screwdrivers and need to be destroyed.

I suspect you may have a live wire ( red or brown ) with 230 volts on it and a broken neutral wire ( black or blue )


EDIT I was too slow.....

 

[triplepete]

The switch is above worktop height and all I have to test the power is a cheap screwdriver which lights up when I touch the live at the switch and at the lower level socket.
I have also checked the connections at both points, although almost impossible at the switch, as there is virtually no slack in the wires!

 

[1john]

You need a multi meter, costs about £10, a neon screwdriver in useless for fault finding.

 

[Monkeh]

A neon screwdriver's main use is stabbing through plastic film.

 

[triplepete]

thanks for the advice and help. Sounds like I need a proper tester or an electrician!!

 

[Monkeh]

The latter. Cheaper and safer than trying to do it yourself.

 

[sparkwright]

As mentioned, you MAY have a neutral fault, assuming the live wire is live when the switch is on.

POSSIBLY the isolator switch is faulty, POSSIBLY the live side of the switch is ok, and the neutral side of the switch is faulty.

With the power off completely, check that the switch is wired correctly and that the connections are sound. Then try replacing the switch with a similar one.

If in doubt call an electrician to do it for you.