Testing issues!! Dodgy 13 A socket contacts

[JummyD]

Completed a new install recently. 45a 10mm2 SWA Sub main (TT) to an outbuilding and 2 x final circuits- 32a Ring and 6a lighting, nice and simple. Customer might require additional circuits in the future, hence the 10mm2 SWA.

Tested the Ring Circuit- end to end all good and as expected. Then r1+rn/4 & r1+r2/4 results all over the place!! Removed all socket fronts x8 and tested at the terminals, perfect readings! So concluded that the pin contacts are unreliable and giving high resistances. They are axiom DP 13a 2 gang socket outlets. Has anyone else had problems similar with these?? Not experienced it before but not sure if contact spray will do the job either!?

 

[UNG]

Did you try operating the socket switches a few times to see if the values changed

 

[timhoward]

It might be worth double checking your plug-in tester lead too.

I don't normally buy Axiom sockets (Toolstation?) after getting 2 in an order that simply didn't work, but that was a long while ago to be fair.

 

[JummyD]

Did you try operating the socket switches a few times to see if the values changed

Hi UNG, yes I tried switching and moved test plug about, values kept changing each time, usually decreasing. When testing at the terminals readings were consistent and expected values.

 

[JummyD]

It might be worth double checking your plug-in tester lead too.

I don't normally buy Axiom sockets (Toolstation?) after getting 2 in an order that simply didn't work, but that was a long while ago to be fair.

Hi, yes test leads/plug all in working order. They are metalclad sockets from toolstation- the customer chose them and although I haven’t used axiom before, they didn’t seem too bad quality when 2nd fixing.

 

[UNG]

Hi, yes test leads/plug all in working order. They are metalclad sockets from toolstation- the customer chose them and although I haven’t used axiom before, they didn’t seem too bad quality when 2nd fixing.

Cos they were cheap and they didn't realise how low quality Axiom are

IMO using Axiom once is too often and buying them is a mistake never repeated

 

[Lucien Nunes]

As a hunch I would say it's more likely to be the switch contacts rather than the actual socket, however we've seen particular types of socket that had abnormally high resistance at the socket itself. High resistance contacts fall into two main groups; those due to tarnish that give high readings on a continuity test but work fine when the film is broken down by the application of mains, and those due to faulty construction / lack of pressure that are properly high-resistance and will overheat under normal load. If you want to cheat, try energising it and switching a kettle on and off a couple of times before retesting. You shouldn't have to do that with new sockets though!