Domestic electrical faults electricians encounter?

[jackecole]

What sort of faults do domestic electricians get called to/encounter - the most common types? I was just wondering - in my life the problems I've come across personally where I've lived, are: fuse (old fuse wire type) tripping in consumer unit/fuse box - light bulbs going, double socket on ring main 1 side not working due to dust on contacts, overheated socket face and a few other fuse problems. Just wondered what else there were...?

 

[londonboy]

Damp, rodents, heat, vandalism, poor installation.. all I can think of for now

 

[jackecole]

do you mean damp rats etc chewing cables making circuits not work/blow fuses?

 

[planemad]

I don't think it matters if the rats are damp or dry.
They just love to eat cable.

 

[londonboy]

Damp = causes very high resistance between all the contacts (L - N - E).
Rodents = chew through and short the wires out.

All scenarios 'should' blow/operate fuses and circuit breakers.

 

[sparkwright]

Common faults are;

Storage heaters not getting hot.
Immersion heater not getting hot.
Central heating.
RCD tripping (usually kettle).
Bathroom fan (usually fan switch off).
Damaged cable.
Faulty shower pull switch.
Worn out accessory.
Someone tried to replace light fitting, and messed up three plate wiring.

 

[jackecole]

oh i see - must be nuts! short circuit means when L and N touch doesn't it?

 

[londonboy]

Common faults are;

Storage heaters not getting hot.
Immersion heater not getting hot.
Central heating.
RCD tripping (usually kettle).
Bathroom fan (usually fan switch off).
Damaged cable.
Faulty shower pull switch.
Worn out accessory.
Someone tried to replace light fitting, and messed up three plate wiring.

I got some more now I'm thinking!

Cooker
Washing machine
Pumps
Exterior lighting
Immersion elements split

 

[planemad]

Common faults are;

RCD tripping (usually kettle).

And the odd steam iron.

 

[jackecole]

wouldn't central heating and immersion and even shower come under plumber too?

immersion heater element split would blow fuse and CU and or in FCU near heater - and of course no hot water !!

why do RCD trips - I mean what causes the imbalance of current between L and N?

 

[sparkwright]

Common faults are;

RCD tripping (usually kettle).

And the odd steam iron.

Many things really. But it's always some old woman who swears blind she wasn't using a kettle at the time, and sure enough; it's the kettle.

 

[londonboy]

I had one once with an overfilled kettle that boiler over the top, last thing on a Friday

 

[flameport]

Someone tried to replace light fitting, and messed up three plate wiring.

and then when you arrive, they usually say the wiring 'was always like that' and 'nothing has been changed '.

 

[jackecole]

3 plate wiring - is that the part connected to the ceiling that hasd L(loop) N and SL and E?

 

[sparkwright]

3 plate wiring - is that the part connected to the ceiling that hasd L(loop) N and SL and E?

Yes, three plate is L, N and swL. E is not counted, though should be present.