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Domestic Neutral Inter Connections

dmh — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:53:54 GMT

I've been investigating a problem today with an RCD that keeps tripping. I have discovered that on one of the ring circuits that is RCD protected there is a neutral connection to the non rcd side of things but for the life of me I cannot track down where it occurs. Any suggestions from anyone as to how to find this and is this likely to be the cause of the RCD tripping (customer is adamant that nothing has changed recently and the RCD problem has only just started happening)

Thanks

test

Dan — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:49:39 GMT

Prefered wiring methods for external lighting

Amp David — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:31:09 GMT

Just to see other opinions on wiring for outdoor lights. If the cable was 2.5m ish up the wall would you prefer to use conduit then pull through t+e, singles, SWA, Hi tuff cable or ordinary black flex. Reason for asking is this...

..done a quote today and been round to the house to hand it over. I had mentioned to the man of the house my ideas of usinga Hi tuff kind cable previously rather than conduit.

Anyway, he's had a couple of other quotes and the other spark have said they will use conduit as its outside.

Just thought i'd see what you guys think/would prefer

Work is Picking Up

DurhamSparky — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:30:37 GMT

Hurray!! work is slowly picking up...! plus i now have a land line telephone system i can rely on! never miss a call day or night..! so far its working and im happy!

i missed 17 calls on my last telephone system..! :(

good times... all small jobs mind you but small keeps the money coming in!

ppe when performing live tests

soulman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:51:49 GMT

hi, do you guys where eye protection and insulated gloves when performing live tests ZE PFC etc;

cheers

Domestic New Member Based in Cornwall

mos — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:05:21 GMT

Hi All,
For the Past 5 Years I have been working alongside Electricians installing IT based Intelligent Building and Home automation systems along with multimedia kit (all aspects of the house can be controlled over the internet, lights heating media etc). In January I finished a large 18 month contract in London and had no future Jobs in the pipeline (possible the downturn) so I decided to gain 17th Edition, Inspection and Test, PAT. I was wondering if anybody had a use for an experienced but relatively newly qualified Electrician in the Cornwall Area.

Any Replies Appreciated

Rcd tripping on a domestic house

MICK59 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:13:34 GMT

Have a rcd that keeps tripping. After testing and checking all appliances everything checks out ok.the power may stay on from any where from a day to a couple of weeks before tripping has anybody any ideas.

2 way sensor

piz — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:12:21 GMT

Can someone please point me in the direction how to wire a light to 2 sensors ie 1 on the gate and 1 at the other end of the path so either sensor will activate the light
Cheers

Domestic Bathroom Light Sensor

Siren — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:43:05 GMT

We're in the middle of plastering the hall after the first fix and having seconds thoughts about the position of the bathroom light switch outside.

The electrician said its not too late to have a pull switch fitted inside the bathroom as it's still bare brick and no ceiling for wires to go in. That would be better but would spoil the look as you walk in.

Could we have a Light Switch sensor for inside the bathroom. If a pull switch is possible then one or both of these surely should OK?

Aquawave Bathroom Light Switch Chrome - AQUAWAVE - Aqua Wave Bathroom Sensor Light Switch - Doble Bathrooms

Or just a more simple sensor placed in the ceiling.

WHITE IP20 CEILING MOUNTED 360 DEGREE MOTION DETECTOR on eBay (end time 19-Sep-10 08:40:21 BST)

Either one will operate or activate a couple of downlighs, four probably, or eight tiny ones if the ceiling sensor is the one option in three rows of three, sensor in the middle.

Help please....

sythai — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:48:42 GMT

Just doing some calcs for extension supply.... 100A after diversity - run is 25m away !!

Some how dont think 16mm T+E will be sufficient for this one.

Would 25mm SWA do it...?

Having probs doing my volt drop, can someone help me please ?

Domestic Problem with Security Lights - Am I missing something?

jimbop81 — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:18:54 GMT

Just had 2 new Timeguard security floodlights fitted by an established electrician but one is not working. Having difficulty switching them off to check anything and since the fitter has not responded to my calls I was hoping someone would help me understand what could be wrong.

One of the lights is wired from the back of one of the 13 amp sockets in the bedroom. The cable goes out the back of the box but there is no switch - should a switch have been fitted to let me switch it off without killing all power upstairs?

The other one comes from the shaver socket in the bathroom and a switch has been fitted beside it. I've opened up both of these and I'm confused by the wiring. It would be best to show a photo but let me try to sum up. The new cable is 3 core and a separate earth. The red wire is connected to the brown on the shaver socket and at the other end goes into one terminal of the switch together with the red wire from the cable going through the wall to the light. The black wire is connected to the blue on the shaver socket and at the new switch has been wound together with the black wire from the light cable but is otherwise hanging loose. Both the grey and earth wires in the small connecting cable have been cut as has the grey wire on the light cable. The earth wire on the light cable has been connected to the other terminal of the light switch.

Sorry if this is confusing - if I could have added a photo it might have been clearer.

Anyway when it gets dark the outside light comes on and I can't get it to go back off. Anyone got any ideas what is going on.

Many thanks

JP

pens?

cagedanimal2010 — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:58:50 GMT

any body received theres yet?

RCD with a TT system

La Poste — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:33:47 GMT

Hi.
I was just reading the useful information to Sparkys thread and I came across this which confused me a little.

Quote:

Fire detection circuits must be supplied independently of other circuits and not protected by an Rcd protecting multiple circuits. 560.7.1

Quote:

A single RCD protecting a TT systems must be installed at the origin of the installation unless the part of the system between the origin and the RCD fulfils the requirements for protection by Class 11 equipment or equivalent insulation 531.4.1

This seems like a bit of a contradiction to me, any comments from anyone?
I mean if you were working on a domestic TT system and the owner wanted mains supplied smoke alarms how would you go about it?
Thanks.

Help!! First time buyer with a concern

jvuk — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:39:59 GMT

I am in the process of purchasing my first home. Last weekend i took both my father and my partners to view the house and they both raised concerns about the state of its electrics. I have included a photo of what they were concerned about.

Any advice or view on what you see would be greatly appreciated.

Attached Images

DSC01700.jpg (49.8 KB)

Domestic New build 1st fix costs, too much? or ok?

babyjane — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:25:34 GMT

hi, i would like some advice on approximately what I should expect to be paying to "first fix" electrical circuits in a being built new build 2 storey, 4 bed house. floor space @3200 sqft.
I have been quoted �2750 for labour alone, plus parts at �600.
does this seem too much? too little? or ok?
Nothing really out of the ordinary fittings wise, although 3 audio cable runs and surround sound runs apart from that just what you would expect sockets, lights, cooker etc.
Theyve also given a guesstimate of �1400 for second fix labour plus parts . second fix parts to be negotiated.
does all this seem ok? tks :confused: