Testing socket

[Steveb21]

recently had some plastering done and a new socket installed higher up on the wall to be used for a TV.

I am pretty certain that both sockets were tested and confirmed working - this was a few months back though.

Socket 2 feeds off socket 1.

Currently no power to appliances when plugged into either socket.

I have tested with a multimeter and got the following results ;

Red lead on live
Black lead on neutral
Reading = 8

Red lead on live
Black lead on earth
Reading = 244

Red lead on earth
Black lead on neutral
Reading = 236

Can some one explain to me what’s going ? :-/

Many thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

Have you made a mistake?

You say

Red lead on live
Black lead on neutral

twice.

 

[Steveb21]

Have you made a mistake?

You say

Red lead on live
Black lead on neutral

twice.

Yes sorry, 2nd one was earth. I have corrected the original post.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It would appear that the Lives and Earths are the wrong way round -

 

[Adam_151]

It would appear that the Lives and Earths are the wrong way round -

Or there is a break in the neutral and a load is present downstream of the break

 

[Steveb21]

In more detail;

Socket 1 (main socket)
Earth
Black neutral
Red live

From socket 1 there are connections which feed to socket 2

Earth
Blue neutral (linked to above black neutral)
Brown live (linked to above red live)

 

[Steveb21]

Or there is a break in the neutral and a load is present downstream of the break

How can I trouble shoot this further?

 

[terryplumb]

I assume the cables are twin and earth. How many are in the lower socket ? Did you take voltage readings at lower socket ? Or both ? Please take readings again.
Live to neutral
Live to earth
Neutral to earth
At lower socket. Then go to next nearest socket and take same voltage readings. ( not the above socket )

 

[Steveb21]

Will try explain this the best I can.

Socket 1 - double socket
It has:

2 wires fed through the wall.

First wire has
RED
BLACK
YELLOW/GREEN
(I believe this is the power source)

Second wire has
BROWN
BLUE
YELLOW/GREEN
(This then links to a single socket which has recently been installed)


2 ground wires connected singlely to each side of the socket.

RED and BROWN are connected to the L
BLACK and BLUE are connected to the N

In the same room, I have tested a working single socket with the follow results;
Live to neutral = 242
Live to earth = 243
Neutral to earth = 0

Retested the faulty socket and results as

Live to neutral = 1
Live to earth = 242
Neutral to earth = 0
(Results have some what changed since my initial reading?)

 

[terryplumb]

You have a break in the neutral supply to the lower socket .the test on non related socket is normal . the lower socket only having one incoming cable is either on a radial circuit or is a spur from a ring final circuit. Either way ,you need to trace the cable that is supplying it ,which may be from a junction box or another socket. Have you checked the terminal connections on the lower socket to ensure the terminal screws are clamping down on the copper conductor and not the insulation ?