wat is the best way to start out on your own

Yeah, meggering someones new £1k PC won't go down too well!! One to bear in mind.
 
i would disconnect neutral from the circuits protected after the rcd and test between live and earth. i would then connect them one at a time to see which circuit is causing the problem. i take it this is a common fault to be called out for
 
Join live and neutral together and test to earth possibly.
I'd imagine it is pretty common, I'm a factory E&I tradesman btw so deal with a whole different range of problems.
 
If you've got all the neutrals out to start with, you may as well test the circuits individually anyway...

(some would have tested the installation as a whole first...)

Anyhow, you've been testing both live conductors together to earth on every circuit.

and I'll give you a choice here, pick whichever one you prefer:

A) None of the circuits seems to show up an insulation fault
B) The garage circuit has very low IR (A handful of K)

Tell me your letter and where you go next

(Oh, a bit about the installation, circa 1970, 6 way wylex standard board, fitted with BS3036 carriers (Lights, Socket outlets, Water heater, Cooker, Garage, Spare), the 30ma RCD is installed in the tails between the board and meter)
 
I assume you picked B then, wise move, A could be tricky (and to be honest I was still contriving it :wink:)

Anyhow, garage doesn't have its own RCD, just a simple two way wylex board with fuses for lights and a sockets radial

So you have disconnected the garage circuit at the house end and got the power back on in there, but the garage needs to be sorted out

What do you do next?

No Ben he doesn't but its one he's seen.
Nah, just inventing plausable things :wink:
 
ive just done a consumer unit for the niceic to come out and inspect it to become registered. they should be out within the week, from that stage how would you go about work, word of mouth or do you get put on their website of local sparkys?

First thing, don't go overboard with start up loans. Try to make do with your existing vehicle and tools. It will be a pain, but once you earn some money, reinvest it in things to make the next job better, quicker, easier.

It can take a lot of time to build up a business. Ignore all the marketing people who will call you non-stop. Find out the ad prices in your local papers, Parish Mag, newsagent window etc. Yell.com have a good offer on which is an enhanced listing with web link to your site for £90 + VAT for the year. If you do a web site, don't expect it to generate much business by itself.

You will probably need some advertising to get a start after which you will benefit from word of mouth. A set of magnetic door signs is a cheap and effective way to start off with.

Easiest way to get a start is to be dirt cheap. Think of it as a learning curve and it's better to be doing something for a little bit of money (and learning/getting better) than doing nothing for no money (and not learning/getting better). Work for expenses and a few pounds for 2 to 3 months. When you put your prices up, your customers will accept that your low prices were special 'introductory' prices only.

There is no magic formula. Depending on where you live, it could be easier or harder, quicker or longer etc. I might take months to get your first few jobs.
 
i would check the connections in the other board to make sure te terminals are tight and wiring is correct, obviously check if its no appliances in there but would have already done that. how am i getting on? :? i sure wouldnt do it at 9.40pm
 
You might get yourself on the age concern register, it don't earn big bucks but its good for the soul and as long as you don't overcharge you will get a good reputation. And remember those folks have relatives, who do you think they are going to tell when you do a good job.

P.S. try using the spell checker :lol:
 
i would check the connections in the other board to make sure te terminals are tight and wiring is correct, obviously check if its no appliances in there but would have already done that. how am i getting on? :?
How about breaking down the circuit further and seeing which part the fault is on, perhaps start by turning the subboard isolator off and repeating the IR tests on the disconnected garage submain to see if the fault remains?


i sure wouldnt do it at 9.40pm
The contents of the client's tropical aquariums will be in a bad way by morning!
 

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