Sockets aren't working (Ed.)

[Harry Bloomfield]

Today, there are normally as many sockets in a kitchen as in 1954 there were in the whole house, we tend to forget what it was like.

Luxury - we had just the one socket in the entire place back then.

 

[CountryFan]

Luxury - we had just the one socket in the entire place back then.

Is that when these were invented?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Is that when these were invented?

There round-pin predecessors..

and, those BC double adaptors, you could plug in the light socket, so you could plug an appliance, and a lamp in at the same time.

 

[TAMD8389]

Update for everyone the fused unit is in the kitchen and I don't know what it controls it is far from the diner room so I'm getting an electrician to check it tomorrow.

 

[Jurassicspark]

Luxury - we had just the one socket in the entire place back then.

Luxury - Some only just had the lighting circuit.

 

[Jurassicspark]

Update for everyone the fused unit is in the kitchen and I don't know what it controls it is far from the diner room so I'm getting an electrician to check it tomorrow.

What you need is a socket tester.

If next time this problem occurs, simply plug it in and it will tell you whats going on. If nothing tripped, that suggests a loose connection which can easily be known by using a plug in socket tester.

 

[ericmark]

What you need is a socket tester.

Yes, you can plug it in and be sure it is dead! Really, how does that help? Socket testers are a good tool when caravaning abroad as it will show line - neutral reversal, and will show lack of an earth, but for the problem in hand, would not help one iota.

 

[Jurassicspark]

View attachment 385469 Yes, you can plug it in and be sure it is dead! Really, how does that help? Socket testers are a good tool when caravaning abroad as it will show line - neutral reversal, and will show lack of an earth, but for the problem in hand, would not help one iota.

Usually, you like mentioning socket testers all the time, don't you?

In the OP's case, he or she can check which sockets have power and which do not. If none of them have power, then there's a good chance that an MCB or RCD has tripped, or there may be a loose connection. If one or two sockets have power and the rest do not, that would suggest a loose connection at the last working socket if its a rdial.

 

[TAMD8389]

Update! It was a breaker in the off position how did I not notice that!! Thanks for the contributions. Accidently forgot to turn it back on after changing a socket. It turned back on and everything is functioning.

 

[CountryFan]

Update! It was a breaker in the off position how did I not notice that!! Thanks for the contributions. Accidently forgot to turn it back on after changing a socket. It turned back on and everything is functioning.

At least 4 times we asked for a photo of the consumer unit, none were provided - might have saved you a callout electrician charge.

Glad you're sorted.

 

[ericmark]

I have looked at socket testers with loop and most will pass at around the 1.7Ω to 1.9Ω mark, where the pass mark for a ring final is 1.38Ω so they are only any good for radials, and in the UK in the main we have ring finals.

A bit of hunting and I found

this will measure low enough, and also does the RCD ramp test, and will record the time taken to trip. So seems a little pointless getting a plug in tester with loop.

Without loop test are they worth it? Do they give a false sense of security, and for the full-blown tester, can the DIY person work out what they are looking at? As to be frank, I have failed to work out what the 0.01 refers to, press a button and yes loop impedance shows, although only one decimal place, and the RCD test is spot on, but what was wrong with plugging in a standard lamp?

 

[ericmark]

Update! It was a breaker in the off position how did I not notice that!! Thanks for the contributions. Accidently forgot to turn it back on after changing a socket. It turned back on and everything is functioning.

Glad you're sorted.