Not tripping circuit breaker but sockets have no power

[robtub]

Hi all i recently had a issue with my electrical ring main I plugged in a appliance and it tripped the 32 amp associated to that ring.i reset the trip and noticed that there was no power to any sockets but did not tripping again. The socks respond to one of the pen testers saying there is current but nothing works when plugged in.There is very little on that ring a television and a router and maybe at times a mobile phone charger.
I thought the problem may be a faulty breaker so swapped it with another on the board but same problem is present any help would be appreciated

 

[Jurassicspark]

Send a picture of what tripped. If there is a rcd, is it in the on position?

Are you sure that all the sockets are not working? Have you got a socket tester or a multimeter?

If only a section of the circuit aren't working, it's a possibility there's a fused spur unit somewhere that's got a blown fuse after you plugged in the faulty appliance.

 

[robtub]

So there are no spurs just 7 double 13 amp sockets all strap earthed to the metal boxes on the ring main concerned fuse board has a rcd but has not tripped, I haven't tested the sockets but have checked for loose connections this ring has been installed over 5 years the appliance was not faulty and works fine on other circuits

 

[Jurassicspark]

Sounds like the MCB has failed but you said above you swapped it with another one. Did you swap it with a spare one? Was it supplying a circuit before? When you installed the MCB did you insert it into the busbar correctly?

Try pushing the MCB fully down and then back up again.

A multimeter will paint you a picture.

Send a picture of the consumer unit please.

 

[robtub]

So I am pretty sure the mcb i swapped was good otherwise I would have had issues on the other circuit I will change out another one from a ring main upstairs tomorrow Not really familiar with multi meters please find picture of the board Attached its a steeple board denmans just looked and found a site that has okd new stock of circuit breakers so can purchase some

 

[flameport]

Most likely is the neutral is open following the short circuit which tripped the breaker, possibly because the N ring was already broken/loose and the short circuit busted what was left.

Realistically, you won't be fixing this yourself.

Do not buy any more circuit breakers. If you want to buy anything, get two blanks to fill the massive hole in the front of that consumer unit.

 

[endecotp]

A socket tester could reveal some clues.

 

[robtub]

So left the dodgy breaker circuit on and it just trip the breaker and rcd .Thanks for your reply I will get a electrician to take a look what is the n ring and for reference what is it you think has happened

 

[Taylortwocities]

what is it you think has happened

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 17 Apr 2008
• 30

 

[plugwash]

Personally I'd start by investigating the neutral bar in the CU.

Volt stick lights up but no usable power screams lost neutral.

And, assuming RCBOs aren't in use (they don't appear to be from the picture) the connection from the two ends of the ring to the CU neutral bar is the one place that is a single point of failure for the neutral to an individual circuit, but wouldn't affect other circuits.

 

[robtub]

Thanks I tested from breaker in question to the earth bar with a electrical tester and got a 230 volts

 

[endecotp]

Honestly I don’t think you should be working inside your consumer unit.

 

[Murdochcat]

FWIW I think the OP needs to speak to a spark about fixing the immediate problem and a planned replacement of the CU. It’s past it’s best to say the least

 

[CountryFan]

Thanks I tested from breaker in question to the earth bar with a electrical tester and got a 230 volts

Did you test the neutral anywhere? Agreed, probably best you get a spark in before causing harm to your electrics or yourself.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Did you test the neutral anywhere? Agreed, probably best you get a spark in before causing harm to your electrics or yourself.

Test live at the top of the mcb to the neutral bus bar. Got any volts?

And post a decent photo of the inside of the cu.