Electric plug sockets have stopped working

[Robert Johnson]

[b I had four plug sockets that I wanted to block off. I put plug socket covers over them - like plug sockets but without any holes.

When I reconnected the electricity, half of the plug sockets in my home stopped working, and half of the plug sockets in my home still work.

I heard a click when the electricity was reconnected, either from the direction of one of the plug sockets or from the mains fuses.

Would going back to how things were solve the problem, or would some mains fuses have to be changed.[/b]

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[Steve]

The sockets you took off - remove the blank plates.

If you can see 2 or more cables coming in there, they MUST be connected together (reds to reds etc)!

The situation as it stands is potentially dangerous if you have ring mains, as ring continuity must be maintained to ensure the cables dont overheat on a ring main. Go back and check. You may need some 30 amp chock block (AKA terminal blocks)

Then when you've finished, recheck the continuity of every conductor on the circuit by removing them from the fuse box (consumer unit) and using your MULTIMETER to test for continuity or resistance between the 2 lives, 2 neutrals and 2 earths. If any of these show no continuity, you must find the break in the ring!

 

[ricicle]

How did you terminate the wires behind the blank plates?

 

[MasterAbacus]

OMG... WOW.....

Please tell us what you did with all them wires that were attached to the plugs you removed?




and do you know if you have fuses or MCB style CU
(CU = Comsumer Unit..... or Fuse box)...


eeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ricicle]

Then when you've finished, recheck the continuity of every conductor on the circuit by removing them from the fuse box (consumer unit) and using your MULTIMETER to test for continuity or resistance between the 2 lives, 2 neutrals and 2 earths.

I would not recommend the OP goes into their CU as he does not sound competant!

 

[Steve]

Then when you've finished, recheck the continuity of every conductor on the circuit by removing them from the fuse box (consumer unit) and using your MULTIMETER to test for continuity or resistance between the 2 lives, 2 neutrals and 2 earths.

I would not recommend the OP goes into their CU as he does not sound competant!

Perhaps he could do this from one of his new blank plates before completing the ring then.

 

[DESL]

Then when you've finished, recheck the continuity of every conductor on the circuit by removing them from the fuse box (consumer unit) and using your MULTIMETER to test for continuity or resistance between the 2 lives, 2 neutrals and 2 earths.

I would not recommend the OP goes into their CU as he does not sound competant!

However, you can check ring continuity at a socket outlet with POWER OFF using the main switch - on the assumption the conductors are connected together at CU

 

[bernardgreen]

Then when you've finished, recheck the continuity of every conductor on the circuit by removing them from the fuse box (consumer unit) and using your MULTIMETER to test for continuity or resistance between the 2 lives, 2 neutrals and 2 earths.

I would not recommend the OP goes into their CU as he does not sound competant!

I support that suggestion to NOT go into the consumer unit (fuse box) as lack of knowledge has already created a situation where serious hazards may have been created.

 

[Steve]

Christ were you lot bored or what? You all pounced on this post! I beat you all to it though so ner ner!

 

[DESL]

D'OH

 

[bernardgreen]

Steve

You advised the OP to take the plate off again.

Best advice would have been to turn off the MCBs to the sockets ( I bet the click was on of them tripping on a short somewhere ) and call out an electrician to repair and test the system for safety.

There is good DIY = Do it Yourself = and BAD ill informed DIY = Death Is Yours =

 

[Steve]

There is good DIY = Do it Yourself = and BAD ill informed DIY = Death Is Yours =

Point taken, but I'd think anyone is capable of connecting 2 wires together. Where is he anyway, surely hes not scarpered?

 

[ricicle]

I'd think anyone is capable of connecting 2 wires together.

Obviously not!

 

[Robert Johnson]

[b Thank you for all the input. I'm amazed at the response rate in this place.

I'm certainly still here. However, some of the responses are more technical than me.

I've removed the blank plates. The reds were connected to reds, the blacks to blacks etc.

I have put all but one plug socket back to how it was. Could putting the other one back to how it was correct the problem, or would an addional problem be left behind ?

What's an MCB ?[/b]

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[Sarahspark]

Unless the problem now is obvious by close inspection (eg pinched/trapped wire) then I suggest you seek help from a competant electrican who will do the appropriate tests for you and sort things out.
You sound as if you are a little out of your depth now that a problem has arisen.Please do you (and yours) a favour by seeking this pro help.

Sarah