Power keeps intermittently tripping

[David Sarbutts]

Hi, yesterday my power tripped and when I looked in the consumer box, it had tripped saying, sockets and power to the garage.
I put the power back on and then a spark from the outside connection box Tripped the power again.
I isolated the power and found the connection box was damp inside. Could this be the problem or is it something more sinister. Any advice would be grateful.
Dave

 

[securespark]

Could we have a wider picture of the shot with the lid off the junction box and the front off the socket?

Please turn the power off before you remove covers.

It would be useful to have an insulation resistance tester, but in its absence, you could isolate the incoming supply to that junction box (put the three incoming conductors temporarily into connectors on their own.

That will separate the cable that is fed from the consumer unit from the external wiring/ accessories/ fittings.

Chances are the problem is with something external but at least you will be able to get the supply restored to everything else.

 

[David Sarbutts]

Hi, hope these pictures are what you asked for and these have been isolated.

 

[David Sarbutts]

when I felt under the rubber grommets on top of the junction box, it could be possible that water may be seeping in.
Should I change the box and if so, what type is it?

 

[terryplumb]

Where exactly did you see the spark ?
What tripped on your consumer unit ,please show us a pic of it.
Is the socket and jbox external or inside a garage ?

 

[David Sarbutts]

Hi Terry, the spark came from the outside junction box, which supplies the external garage. The trip was on sockets and garage pic.

 

[David Sarbutts]

The external connection box also supplies an external socket and outside security light.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The external connection box also supplies an external socket and outside security light.

You really should check in those too.

 

[securespark]

Could you post a slightly wider shot of the junction box so we can clearly see the cables that go into the box?

 

[securespark]

The socket in the picture...is that the only one, or is there another?

Is the security light full of water?

In any case, as I've said, you can narrow down where the issue lies by isolating the cable that comes from the CU from the rest of those connections in the junction box.

 

[terryplumb]

You have a dead short somewhere on the circuit protected by that 32 amp MCB if that's the only breaker that tripped. What else is on that circuit besides what you have told us so far ??

 

[David Sarbutts]

This is what’s on the circuit;
Outside socket
Security light
The power to the detached;
4 sockets and 1 light switch.

 

[David Sarbutts]

I will disconnect the security light and outside socket, and see if that’s the problem.

 

[David Sarbutts]

Hi, I’ve just found the problem. It was the outside socket.
Thank you for all your help.
Kind regards Dave

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ok. I guess you are going to seal the box. Somehow?

When you’ve gone that, drill a drain hole in the bottom of the box.
If that is armoured cable at the bottom it needs a proper gland, and the armour must be earthed.