RCD tripping??

[Ryano22]

Hi,
I recently had some electricians come round to move some plug sockets and replace old ones in preparation for new kitchen as well as change our fuse box.

They completed all of the work on day one, but said that they were getting strange readings of our earth and neutral? To get a certificate we would need it sorted. That's fine as it was probably a an unwise drill hole (previous owners) above two different sockets, one in the kitchen and one in living room.

They came the next day and did there bit and went. When I came home the power was off. Switched it on, an hour later off? This happened all that day? Weekend comes and it's fine all the time.

I then plaster over his repairs and everything dies and I can't re set the plug socket ring on the rcd side. So i thought his fix must have got wet. I take plaster off and cable protector off and find electrical tape covering a still damaged wire. The neutral had half of it's sheath missing on opposite side to earth wire.

I feel this was dangerous and was probably causing the rcd trip? Or was this acceptable??

The house is slightly damp and i did check all the appliances one by one. Just can't get why it was so random at first??

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

I take plaster off and cable protector off and find electrical tape covering a still damaged wire. The neutral had half of it's sheath missing on opposite side to earth wire.

I feel this was dangerous and was probably causing the rcd trip? Or was this acceptable??

Yes, No.

I recently had some electricians come round...

Doesn't sound like it.

 

[Ryano22]

Thanks for the reply.

What should I do? Should it be crimped together or use some sort of junction box? I have no real electrical knowledge and don't know how to tackle the situation.

Feel quite let down by the situation.

 

[JohnD]

the damaged cables should be given a permanent join, for example by crimping, and protected with heat-shrink sleeving, and also given protection equivalent to the sheathing, e.g with oval plastic conduit.

For a professional this would be quick and easy to do properly.

the crimper required is not one of those little ones used on car electrics, but a heavier ratcheted tool, and a little skill is needed. A professional electrician would carry one. You could buy one yourself if you like, but you need to get a good tool brand as the cheaper ones flex and bend. It would be in the region of £25. A junction box can be used, but as the clamping screws are liable to loosen over time, they must not be buried in plaster, they have to be accessible for inspection and servicing, so this is not a neat professional job.

If you used a reputable local electrical firm, and you explain to the boss what has happened, I would expect them to repair it properly without further charge.

If they are a bunch of unqualified flybynights, I wouldn't trust them to do it properly.

If you take some pics of the damage and the repair, that will be interesting for us, and useful in any complaint you may make.

Do you know if the firm you used was a member of a self-certification scheme?