UK Pinched wire (but copper not exposed) - leave or fix?

[mat_12345]

I'd taken a socket faceplate off to do some decorating but after putting it back, the MCB was tripping and tripped every time I tried to reset it. After taking the cover back off (wires still connected), it didn't trip.

Looking at it - maybe one of the wires was getting pinched by a screws - it looks like it has been pinched at some point, though nothing has gone as far as to expose the wire.

I used a 10mm spacer to give the wires more room and it seems OK now. Do I need to do anything about the wire that was pinched? There's a wee bit of blackening too, on the back box and on the wire.

 

[westward10]

A few pics may help but if it has pinched the wire resulting in the protective device tripping then the copper has been exposed. It there are black deposits on the conductor and back box then a line to earth short has taken place and it definitely needs looking at.
What is a 10mm spacer?

 

[littlespark]

One of these, im guessing....

2 Gang 10mm Rectangular Spacer

The subtle design will blend with any décor - suitable for domestic or commercial installations

www.cef.co.uk

 

[mat_12345]

Yeah one of those.

Thanks, I'm going to get someone out.

Just for my understanding, what's a line to earth fault?

Also - this may / may not be relevant, but in all the resetting the MCB, I left it on at one point and got a shock when I first went to put the spacer on (I know - I'm an idiot). I don't think that caused the blackening, but could it?

 

[westward10]

I should have said live to earth fault, red or brown wire being live and the back box earth.
If you got a shock you must have been in contact with a live part and earth or neutral.