Outside Light Problem

[irishsailor]

My mate has an outside light problem, he lives in a masonette, his light has stopped working, he called out building services the guy said it weas wired in a way that the internal conduit was used as a line conductor?? does this make sense or has anyone come accross this problem before?? If so can anyone suggest a solution??

Regards

Chris

 

[Mac]

My mate has an outside light problem, he lives in a masonette, his light has stopped working, he called out building services the guy said it weas wired in a way that the internal conduit was used as a line conductor?? does this make sense or has anyone come accross this problem before?? If so can anyone suggest a solution??

Regards

Chris

Never heard of conduit being used as a line conductor.Wouldn't it mean all the conduit in house would be live then

 

[stephenf8542]

Thats what I thought, any pics?

 

[kung]

Strange very strange that one m8.

 

[Dannyg83]

That doesnt sound right

 

[irishsailor]

Guys

I have had a look at the light, it is in an old metal conduit, 2 cables exposed. I have tested between conductors, I believe the conduit is acting as the cpc. However the voltage jumps between 125ish to 240

Any suggestions

Chris

 

[Mac]

Guys

I have had a look at the light, it is in an old metal conduit, 2 cables exposed. I have tested between conductors, I believe the conduit is acting as the cpc. However the voltage jumps between 125ish to 240

Any suggestions

Chris

If building services came out earlier,is the property council or rented.Maybe the property needs rewired,is there any earths in the property

 

[irishsailor]

Yes Mac it has an earth, the buildings are approx 30yrs old, wiring varies from flat to flat.

 

[markythesparky]

sounds to me like you have dodgy continuity on the conduit. this is presuming that the light works all the time i.e. it doesnt flash.

It would be helpful to know what you are testing against i.e. are you testing from the conduit to the live or the neutral? it would be interesting to test against a known good earth and note the reading.

Metal conduits induce voltage if they are not earthed properly and this can give odd readings.

Solution:

Run an earth wire from a known earth through the conduit to the light fitting. try and earth the conduit to this earth cable at either end. this should solve it. failing this you will need to rerun the conduit and make sure its connected to the other conduits in the system substantially.

 

[irishsailor]

Cheers Marky

The conduit is in the frabic of the structure so it would be difficult to reinstall arrgghh , yes testing from the conduit against Line & Neut. Will look at running a know good earth. It is a good learning curve for me, bloody pulling my hair out well whats left if it.

Chris