Annoying simple circuit

[Ldm]

hi ladies and gents

I have opened a ring final circuit to add 3 sockets. All was goin well till I powered it up and it keeps tripping. I have tested and IR comes back fine. continuity also fine, all test readings are fine. the circuit has 9 sockets and has a 32 type c rcbo. any other info needed please ask.

sorry for the short message but my keyboard is dying.

thank you

 

[telectrix]

does it trip with nothing plugged in? if it requires a load to make it trip, you may have a N-E reversal at a socket.

edit: it would help if you told us your level of expertise.

 

[Pete999]

hi ladies and gents

I have opened a ring final circuit to add 3 sockets. All was goin well till I powered it up and it keeps tripping. I have tested and IR comes back fine. continuity also fine, all test readings are fine. the circuit has 9 sockets and has a 32 type c rcbo. any other info needed please ask.

sorry for the short message but my keyboard is dying.

thank you

You must have wired it wrong, check all the new connections

 

[Simonslimline]

does it trip with nothing plugged in? if it requires a load to make it trip, you may have a N-E reversal at a socket.

edit: it would help if you told us your level of expertise.

Trainee according to the profile.

 

[mydigitalhome]

As above, dead testing first, continuity check should have picked it up.

 

[Plonker 3]

Is the RCBO existing or a new one that you have installed?

 

[shanky887614]

check an old socket and the new ones.

the terminals might be in a different place.

you wont pick it up with end to end testing if you connected it up wrong
and this would cause it to trip when you plug something into a new socket

 

[Plonker 3]

you wont pick it up with end to end testing if you connected it up wrong
and this would cause it to trip when you plug something into a new socket

No, but a R1+R2 test will pick it up.

 

[shanky887614]

No, but a R1+R2 test will pick it up.

how?

if he has put both browns in N both blues in E and all the cpcs in L

it wont come up on end to end if there is nothing plugged into socket.

the figure of 8 R1+R2 only checks the resistance not if the cables are in the right terminal in the socket

 

[1stfix2ndfix]

This is where my little socket tester would come in handy

 

[Simonslimline]

This is where my little socket tester would come in handy

The one i have will not detect a neutral & earth reversal.

 

[Simonslimline]

how?

if he has put both browns in N both blues in E and all the cpcs in L

it wont come up on end to end if there is nothing plugged into socket.

the figure of 8 R1+R2 only checks the resistance not if the cables are in the right terminal in the socket

Are you sure about that!

 

[happysteve]

how?

if he has put both browns in N both blues in E and all the cpcs in L

it wont come up on end to end if there is nothing plugged into socket.

the figure of 8 R1+R2 only checks the resistance not if the cables are in the right terminal in the socket

I guess it depends on whether you do R1+R2 from the front of the socket (in which case you will spot an error) or the back of the socket (in which case, if you're going by wire colour, you won't).

Maybe this points towards why it's a good idea to do it from the front...

(Trainee )

 

[shanky887614]

Are you sure about that!

yes when you do the test at the board.

obviously it would be obvious if testing at each socket

most firms only check at the board though

 

[Simonslimline]

yes when you do the test at the board.

obviously it would be obvious if testing at each socket

I thought the whole point of the test is to check all the outlets connected. The tests will also pick up a ring within a ring.

 

[Simonslimline]

yes when you do the test at the board.

obviously it would be obvious if testing at each socket

most firms only check at the board though

How do you know this out of interest? Not exactly proper practice IMO.

 

[shanky887614]

How do you know this out of interest? Not exactly proper practice IMO. [emoji2]

ive tagged along with several firms in the past and been on building sites etc where they dont bother.

on a side note, have you guys seen demma installs, to say there a birds nest is an understatement

brand new bms installs with hundreds of cables tywrapped to ceiling grid etc with no support, i would feel embarrassed installing it but the clients dont mind it because they dont have to pay them for containment!!!!

 

[Simonslimline]

ive tagged along with several firms in the past and been on building sites etc where they dont bother.

Well its not the way i was taught at college. We always did the full test with my old company.

 

[shanky887614]

Well its not the way i was taught at college. We always did the full test with my old company.

i only did the full range of tests once or twice at college, during exams

 

[davesparks]

The correct way to test a ring final circuit includes the end to end tests, the figure of right L to N and figure of eight L to E.
Both figure of eight tests should include readings taken at all points, or as many as realistically practical depending on whether it is IV or periodic testing.

 

[Octopus]

Are you 100% sure you identified the correct neutrals?

 

[Tuttle]

The one i have will not detect a neutral & earth reversal.

I don't think any of them detect a neutral & earth reversal

 

[telectrix]

I don't think any of them detect a neutral & earth reversal

no but henry can. he runs perfectly on L-E till some silly tw4t fits a RCD.

 

[Ldm]

does it trip with nothing plugged in? if it requires a load to make it trip, you may have a N-E reversal at a socket.

edit: it would help if you told us your level of expertise.

No no load applied. I have a socket tester that tells me reversals. But it won't stay on. I have checked all connections and they are correct and tight.

It it did stay on for about 5 hours today (friend put it on) then it tripped and won't go back on!!

 

[Ldm]

Is the RCBO existing or a new one that you have installed?

The RCBO is an existing one. I have tried another RCBO (also existing) and same problem

 

[Knobhead]

I’ll give the OP the same advice I give all Electrical Trainee’s. Employ a qualified electrician to get your arse out of the fire.

The qualified electrician’s fees should come out of your own pocket (not the customers) just to remind you that you can’t learn this trade in a few weeks.

Hope that helps!

 

[trev]

This is where my little socket tester would come in handy

Sorry mate but those things are little more than toys. There is no substitute for a calibrated MFT in the hands of a skilled person and the application of the proper set of tests from start to finish in the correct order.

 

[Ldm]

I’ll give the OP the same advice I give all Electrical Trainee’s. Employ a qualified electrician to get your arse out of the fire.

The qualified electrician’s fees should come out of your own pocket (not the customers) just to remind you that you can’t learn this trade in a few weeks.

Hope that helps!

That doesn't help no!
im ex army don't have the luxury of doing a full apprenticeship due to current commitments. After leaving I did a short course with the army loved it so much I want to do it for a living. So paying out my own pocket I'm studying the 2365 level 2 and 3. I have 17th edition, part P, solar PV design and installation, PAT testing (sitting test in a few days) and my NICEIC test coming up. So yes being experienced and qualified would be nice. But experience comes in time. But as I can't find someone to show me and help me gain the valuable experience. I'm trying on my own. So thank you for your input but advice and guidence is what I'm after not paying someone to do it for me.

 

[tazz]

Very shocked at this post.....basic testing, if an insulation test, and a r1/r2 test shows clear...I would be very suprised

 

[DPG]

I don't think the OP will be back, but if he does:

Are you a trainee or fully qualified? If you are a trainee how come you're doing this work? Daz