Not tripping circuit breaker but sockets have no power

[securespark]

It’s past it’s best to say the least

Erk!

I remember well fitting many of those Steeple boards from Denmans....

Am I past my best?

 

[FrodoOne]

Before I go any further,
I apologize to you - and others - for being "critical" of one who (so far) has only five Posts on this topic.

(At least one "jocular" comment already has been posted.)

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 17 Apr 2008
• 30

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.

It is almost certain that the "appliance" has/had an internal fault (Short-Circuit)
which caused an over 32 A fault
which caused the "trip".

This may have also caused an Open-Circuit in a "loose connection" in the Ring circuit.

The socks (sic) respond to one of the pen testers saying there is current but nothing works when plugged in.

Well, NO!

The non-contact "pen-tester" indicated that there is Voltage in one of the conductors at the (SOCKET) point where you "tested".
It did not indicate "Current" (of which there was none)
and
it did not indicate that the Neutral (Return-Current Path) was still "intact".

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

So, the TV, Router and Charger are no longer being supplied.
Hence, either the Line, Neutral (or both) supplying them is Open-Circuit.

To test whether the Line or Neutral connection is Open-Circuit
you need to use a (preferably, Low Impedance) Volt Meter,
in the proper manner -
at the many possible points on the "Ring".

A multimeter will paint you a picture.

However, because it is a "Ring", there may be two (or more) open-circuits faults.

 

[robtub]

Hi I tested the the mcb to the neutral buzzbar and got 230 volts

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ok. It’s easy from here. Check the neutral cables that go with the lives that are in the MCB. Make sure those neutrals are securely connected in the correct neutral busbar

The all you have to do (!) is trace the cables and find out where the voltage is disappearing to.

Start in the middle of the ring and take wires out of the socket. You should see volts between L&N on both cables.

 

[robtub]

When checking the ring do I have the mcb on and i take it that the instance we get no current that's where the issue is. Thanking you all in advance

 

[Taylortwocities]

When checking the ring do I have the mcb on and i take it that the instance we get no current that's where the issue is. Thanking you all in advance

Firstly. You do not get current until there is a load attached. If you are testing with the MCB on then you are looking for voltage
Secondly. If you go not understand that very basic point then the only safe way to do these tests is by using a continuity tester, and with the circuit connections completely removed from the CU
BUT, thirdly - and with respect - I really can see no prospect of you being able to carry out this fault finding process. Please get an electrician to help.

 

[Jurassicspark]

When checking the ring do I have the mcb on and i take it that the instance we get no current that's where the issue is. Thanking you all in advance

It's not that straightforward, measuring for current on an energized circuit will result in a major bang and can cause damage.

Get an electrician.