Checking electric socket if faulty

[ebee]

The simple pug in socket testers give a very basic first line initial clue of some possible scenarios therefore starts you on the path of fault/non fault indication.
It is not a pass/fail device but might just be helpful as your first line of indication.
In other words it might reveal some clues, yet it might not.
Using a proper meter(s) and doing the proper tests in the proper manner and being able to understand the results is the best way of having a chance of obtaining a conclusion.
Having the proper skills and experience is the key.

If someone wants to plug in one of these "Socket Testers" as the first line of an investigation then I have no problem with that, as long as they never, solely, use it to consider something satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
Never forget there is a very important piece of equipment that must always be used - the" Mark 1 Eyeball" just for starters

 

[Murdochcat]

So it’s a tenanted flat - when was the last EICR done ?

I would say that the builder has covered himself by highlighting a possible issue to you and you’ve let the tenant see this.

My advice to you is to get a spark in to do some basic tests and see what they conclude

PS those socket testers are not suitable for much tbh

 

[ebee]

So it’s a tenanted flat - when was the last EICR done ?

I would say that the builder has covered himself by highlighting a possible issue to you and you’ve let the tenant see this.

My advice to you is to get a spark in to do some basic tests and see what they conclude

PS those socket testers are not suitable for much tbh

Yes I agree

 

[yartin]

So it’s a tenanted flat - when was the last EICR done ?

I would say that the builder has covered himself by highlighting a possible issue to you and you’ve let the tenant see this.

My advice to you is to get a spark in to do some basic tests and see what they conclude

PS those socket testers are not suitable for much tbh

which possible issue?

 

[ebee]

Apparent unexplained trip.

Back in the older days, when everybody had fuse boxes with fuses of some type of fuses , if a fuse blew it would be sensible to find the probable cause rather than just replace the fuse and then do the "Bang Bang 240 test".
However this was often done by the W F a F O Brigade!

 

[Murdochcat]

Tenant thinks it could be faulty because MCB tripped once on 11/04. I had a builder doing some some work few days ago, he was testing one socket so asked him to test the rest and no fault was found, it was documented in the invoice. I sent a copy of invoice to T, they don't want to accept builder's test and want me to send an electrician. Builder had a socket tester.
The trip most likely to one of their many appliances .... or a one off event.... also there was washing machine left in the elements for 3 months and they re installed against what I told them to not to be used again, they say WM was off when tripped but still possible even when off if internally invisible water/damp shorting L and N I think?
Anyways, it's been no more trips. I did ask an electrician at the time and he said a one is fine no need to investigate at this stage.

Problem is that a basic socket tester won't tell you anything.

Your tenant has asked for an electrician to check it out - which isn't unreasonable

I note you haven't answered my question about the EICR

 

[yartin]

Problem is that a basic socket tester won't tell you anything.

Your tenant has asked for an electrician to check it out - which isn't unreasonable

I note you haven't answered my question about the EICR

Why do I need to answer your question? MYOB

 

[endecotp]

Why do I need to answer your question?

No-one needs to answer your questions either, but they do to be helpful. That’s what the forum is for. He’s asking because it’s relevant; if the next regular electrical inspection is due soon, then it doesn’t cost you much to being it forward, and will help to re-establish good relations with your tenant.

MYOB

The forum has an “ignore” feature. I regularly use it to block people whose posts are rude, and I’m sure others do too.

 

[ebee]

He might also want to know if an EICR has been done (or an EIC perhaps) within the timescale dictated by law.
perhaps your mention of 11/04 inclined him to ask.
you do not need to answer his question but it might lead some to wonder why? He might just be trying to help you.

 

[yartin]

He might also want to know if an EICR has been done (or an EIC perhaps) within the timescale dictated by law.
perhaps your mention of 11/04 inclined him to ask.
you do not need to answer his question but it might lead some to wonder why? He might just be trying to help you.

They may wonder for as long as they like

 

[Murdochcat]

They may wonder for as long as they like

Odd attitude from a self confessed landlord.

Maybe this is one of those cash only, unregistered rentals where legalities aren’t followed

 

[SUNRAY]

Odd attitude from a self confessed landlord.

Maybe this is one of those cash only, unregistered rentals where legalities aren’t followed

Well it seems obvious to me from his reactions and lack of goodwill to his tenant fall very far from the standard I'd expect from a landlord and not treating us with contempt...

Oh dear my finger just accidentally found that button too.

 

[JohnW2]

Many socket testers have this short coming.

I imagine they all do. In fact, no matter what test equipment one has, detecting a 'reversed earth and neutral' is far from a trivial exercise, and is probably impossible 'at a socket'.

 

[JohnW2]

He might also want to know if an EICR has been done (or an EIC perhaps) within the timescale dictated by law.

He might well have.

perhaps your mention of 11/04 inclined him to ask.

Are you perhaps assuming that "11/04" referred to November 2004? Whilst I suppose that is possible, I took it to mean "11th April (2025)" - since, even if the tenant had been there for over 13 years, it seems unlikley that they would have waited that long to report a possible problem with an electrical socket to the landlord

you do not need to answer his question but it might lead some to wonder why? He might just be trying to help you.

All true.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ebee]

Are you perhaps assuming that "11/04" referred to November 2004?

Yes I did consider that and I thought perhaps Murdochat did too and maybe prompting him to ask the question as to why use a partial date, perhaps or perhaps not to throw some doubt upon it.
I think that many of us would describe a date in a different, more certain way, but some might describe it in a similar way.
The reaction since that question has, no doubt, further caused additional questions that might not have previously been considered by some.