Live neutral reverse

chippy5 · 5 Jul 2015

I have just changed some faceplates and in doing so discovered that one single socket is powered by the old storage heater supply the socket tester showed live neutral reverse but this is wired correctly.
This socket is back to back with another socket which is also wired correctly.
The board is also correct.
Can it be left alone (it's bin like that for years) or do I have to trace the circuit and find the fault

Iggifer · 5 Jul 2015

Does the socket tester show reversed polarity on the socket it's back to back with?

You need to find the fault

chippy5 · 5 Jul 2015

The other socket is "looped" the wire is only bent and not cut and yes its reverse

PrenticeBoyofDerry · 5 Jul 2015

You need correct polarity as this is dangerous!
It is worth looking at all socket plates and accessories on this circuit, it could be a junction or joint box in floor space too.
Check for polarity at all sockets, this should narrow down the fault area.

chippy5 · 5 Jul 2015

I just isolated all circuits except the one with the fault and the only two outlets that work are the two with the fault.
Out of interest I checked another socket on another storage heater circuit and this one has no earth.
It's going to be a long day!

ericmark · 5 Jul 2015

Yes simple jobs can escalate, it has to be corrected as there is only a fuse in the plug on the line, so if wrong way around then the fuse will not protect the appliance or cable.

JohnW2 · 5 Jul 2015

ericmark said:
Yes simple jobs can escalate, it has to be corrected as there is only a fuse in the plug on the line, so if wrong way around then the fuse will not protect the appliance or cable.

Not against L-E faults (which are the ones which put human beings most directly at risk), no, but a neutral fuse will protect against ('L-N') overload. The OP clearly needs to get this corrected.

Kind Regards, John

ericmark · 5 Jul 2015

JohnW2 said:
ericmark said:

Yes simple jobs can escalate, it has to be corrected as there is only a fuse in the plug on the line, so if wrong way around then the fuse will not protect the appliance or cable.

Click to expand...

Not against L-E faults (which are the ones which put human beings most directly at risk), no, but a neutral fuse will protect against ('L-N') overload. The OP clearly needs to get this corrected.

Kind Regards, John

That is a good point the RCD will protect against line - earth and fuse still protects against line - neutral so as long as the circuit is RCD protected then no real difference to using a Schuko socket. In fact if ex-storage heater there may be a 16A fuse anyway. However I still think it needs correcting.

ban-all-sheds · 5 Jul 2015

chippy5 said:
one single socket ... showed live neutral reverse but this is wired correctly.

I don't follow that.

chippy5 · 5 Jul 2015

20amp fuse
fuse wire v old board I have recommended upgrade
But for the time being pulled the fuse out of two faulty circuits and told the mother in law not to put them back in.

riveralt · 5 Jul 2015

ban-all-sheds said:
chippy5 said:

one single socket ... showed live neutral reverse but this is wired correctly.

Click to expand...

I don't follow that.

Sounds as if the plug in tester has given the neutral reverse result, but physical inspection shows the correct colours going to the correct terminals.
So either the Plug Tester is faulty or the reverse has taken place elsewhere on the circuit.
I have seen it before where the DIYer home owner has replaced the 'old' socket with a new one without checking if the terminal locations have moved.

chippy5 · 5 Jul 2015

Plug tester is fine (tested it when I got home) all visible connection on the circuit (two sockets and the fuse board) are wired correctly. I assume there must be a connection under the floor.

riveralt · 5 Jul 2015

chippy5 said:
Plug tester is fine (tested it when I got home) all visible connection on the circuit (two sockets and the fuse board) are wired correctly. I assume there must be a connection under the floor.

I take it the problem showed up in both sockets?

ban-all-sheds · 5 Jul 2015

riveralt said:
but physical inspection shows the correct colours going to the correct terminals.

But if the colours are wrong then the conductors are not going to the correct terminals.

So either the Plug Tester is faulty or the reverse has taken place elsewhere on the circuit.

If the latter then it's not wired correctly, is it.

chippy5 said:
Plug tester is fine (tested it when I got home) all visible connection on the circuit (two sockets and the fuse board) are wired correctly.

Clearly they are not.

phatboy · 5 Jul 2015

ban-all-sheds said:
load of words.

Do you think you are helping? This is someone who has realised there is an issue and has come here for assistance after doing some basic testing themselves.

Try to remember this is a DIY forum, where people of many levels post.

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Live neutral reverse

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