Tell us about your faults!

[plugsandsparks]

Was doing a Cu change prior to new kitchen install (for RCD protection and new oven).]
Change went well considering lots of singles for multiple lighting ccts , managed to tee up all the lives with corresponding neutrals - all good. Went round to do one last func test and "pop" rcd tripped when kitchen under cupboard light was switched on. Thought *ugger had not spotted that light before, immediately thought borrowed neutral but then thought , yes but borrowed from where ?? - Scratched head a few times and thought well hey kitchen is coming out anyway. Dug the wire to the light out of the plaster and found..............Yep earth was being used for neutral. Was actually quite relieved .... as i needed to cable for new under cup board lights anyway.
That was the second time in a month come across earth as a line, previous was on a industrial press panel as it needed a 4W TP supply - got a little direct with the owner on that one.....
Not heard it mentioned much on here though, i.e. earth used for N

 

[Jerry H]

TPN&E plug on a TP&E machine not a problem surly? But TPN&E socket without neutral, asking for trouble

 

[plugsandsparks]

No sockets, wired direct from 3P isolater. Panel needed N for 240V stuff. Some guy simply linked incoming N position on Panel to earth on panel, job done - it works, time to go... :-(

 

[gnuuser]

called to a flat because she was losing all power.
checked all the circuits all good, checked all breakers and panel again all good.
went out to check meter-head all good but noticed some small shoe prints around the disconnect (Hmmm!)

security camera revealed the landlords young son turning the disconnect off because the lady who lived there didn't have kids!
lol ill bet he got a real butt-warming for that especially after he got my bill for the call

 

[heinzbean]

Re: Tell us about your faults !

years ago when i was 17 year old apprentice i got a call from my Nan saying that she was getting a shock from the pipe work in her bathroom
I went around there thinking "static". i will show her how her carpets are producing static and be on my way.
wrong on close inspection all her pipe work was carrying 240v. every switch fixing screw 240v,all of her earthed metal work.
i noticed that there was no main earthing present. I turned the main switch off, put a clamp on the lead sheathing of the incoming, and ran a 16mm
earth to the main earth bar. switched the Main switch back on, Bang downstairs lighting circuit blew a 5a fuse. Now i had 1 circuit to test.I tracked the
fault to the bathroom light fitting (the foil reflector had melted against the plastic choc block connector) and shorted L to E.
that was 34 years ago . Didn't need 2391 to find that fault just a good apprenticeship . (in days of old when testing werent invented).

 

[Big n Daft]

2391 is the bandage for all the shat training these days. Another course for the training co's, schemes and other parasites to make money out their incompetance. Sorry if its off thread, makes me boil.

 

[Gentle Ben]

Had one a few years back, friend of mine over in Crewe, kept getting a belt off everything in the house, inside dishwasher, kitchen sink, even the handrail on the aga.

Anyway got there, definitely shocks from all the extraneous and exposed metalwork. Popped off the main switch on the D/B, isolating the house, but still getting full-blooded shocks off everything. In the end the only way to stop it was to disconnect the main earth coming into the house and get the utility company out to put it right.

Another one was a tripping RCD in a neighbours house, thankfully they had the common sense to realise it was only happening when they put the cooker switch on, so I had least could narrow it down when I got there. Quickly found the cause....

This little critter had somehow managed to get inside the cooker box and straddle himself over live and earth, meeting a grizzly end. Thankfully he came out in one piece, so I didn't have to scrape any guts off the contacts.

 

[Loopytunes]

Just read the whole thread, some great stories thanks keep em coming! especially with the pics. My best one was...

"Theres a problem with my lights"
"OK, where is your fusebox?
"Just in here, under the kitchen sink"

:mickey:

 

[amlu]

not my fault, spotted walking down the road
ip rated bs88 anyone?

 

[guinnessgixer]

wired an inline extractor fan in a loft today, went back downstairs, turned lecy on turned bathroom light on, bloody thing was blowing into the bathroom, i'd put flexi hoses on wrong sides! had a little chuckle to myself