project re-wire

[unlucky]

Guys,

All went well,managed to get everything wired in bar upstairs lighting which just needs the pendants and spots putting in.

I tested the rings on the old (read ancient!) CU,all ok.

Switched it onto the new CU and it is tripping. I'm presuming its because of the main earth,I'm waiting on y e d l coming to do a pme.

Two questuons really, do you think im right saying its the main bonding tripping the new cu?iv checked continuity on all the rings and its all ok.

Second question,is 6 weeks an acceptable time for a pme upgrade?!any suggestions around the best phasing to use would be appreciated.

The lady at y e d l said if that was too long to wait put an earth spike in! I wiukd hsve thought a terrace house in central Leeds shouldnt really have an earth rod if it can be avoided?!
Any help much appreciated.

Sorry for any spelling mistakes,writing on my mobile.

Phil

 

[ColJack]

you've likely made the mistake of crossing your neutrals on a "17th edition" dual RCD board.. ( or maybe you splashed out and used RCBO's? )

there's also the posibility of a shared neutral, or you havent removed a link in a split neutral bar.. etc..

do us a photo of the CU with the cover off, fairly large and / or multiple shots so we can see it all in detail, and don't forget to use the macro mode on your chosen camera / phone..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I tested the rings on the old (read ancient!) CU,all ok.

Tested them for what, and with what?

What were the readings?

Switched it onto the new CU and it is tripping. I'm presuming its because of the main earth

That's a very worrying presumption.

do you think im right saying its the main bonding tripping the new cu?

No.

What made you think you were competent to rewire a house?

iv checked continuity on all the rings and its all ok.

Is that all?

A continuity test won't find earth faults, will it, or tell you if you've messed up with which neutral bars you use in the CU.

If you're still at the stage of learning things like this then you're still quite some distance away from the stage where you can safely tackle a rewire....

 

[unlucky]

Nice and simple fix coljack!!

I had put the living room ring neutrals onto the neutral bar for the other RCD!

Thanks a million.

BAS - I take your point and thank you for your concern. I will scan and post up the cert when my spark sends it through to me, as I said, we are all learning and nothing I have done doesn't comply with part P or the 17th.

It was checked before 2nd fix, after 2nd fix and he will be inspecting after I have it fully energised.

Quite exciting throwing the switch for the first time!!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

as I said, we are all learning

But you should learn before doing, not by trial-and-error-mistakes as you go along.

and nothing I have done doesn't comply with part P or the 17th.

Given that your level of knowledge led you to think that your main bonding was causing the RCD to trip I don't see how you can possibly be sure of that.

 

[dingbat]

I agree with b-a-s.

 

[MrsBanal]

It was checked before 2nd fix, after 2nd fix and he will be inspecting after I have it fully energised.

Quite exciting throwing the switch for the first time!!

The testing/inspection should be done before you have energised the installation. There should be no excitement turning on the main switch because you tests should have told you if there were any issues.

 

[Steve]

unlucky, how were YEDL when you asked for a PME? Just bought an old house with a cast iron cutout, was going to contact them, and possible fused neutral. What number did you call?

Cheers.

 

[unlucky]

Stop being so boring! I knew it was going to switch on as the tests were carried out, but its still a nice feeling, after 9 days solid graft to see the lights switch on. Thats why I couldn't understand the RCD tripping until coljack suggested checking the neutrals.

I've had it checked and tested at every step and it was a simple error that prevented it from working with the new CU. The space the old wylex was in and the new CU is now in is very tight, meaning I couldn't have it fully wired up before I needed to energise it, my Ice Cream would have melted!

I'm also confident that everything has been carried out in accordance with part p and the 17th as it has been checked by a competant and qualified electrician. Come on guys, one simple mistake doesn't undo all the good work I carried out!

As for why he wants to have a look after its energised its probably to do with the above comment, and also as he has to sign it off like its his work he probably wants one final look over it to put his mind at rest.

YEDL were good with us, but said it would be 4 - 5 weeks, then I embelished slightly as to the state of the cast iron cut out, is yours smoking or smelling funny like mine was? If so they turn up before they say they will and change the thing within 4 hours. Worked well and all from suggestions from people on this site.

The PME upgrade however, they aren't moving away from the 6 week lead time they are quoting.

 

[dingbat]

The PME upgrade however, they aren't moving away from the 6 week lead time they are quoting.

That's quite god for YEDL, given they usually quote 3-4 months, even when reporting no means of earthing whatsoever.