Neutral-Earth voltage

[leep82]

Called to a property yesterday after the customer had been advised to call an electrician by an engineer who had done some work on there cooker. I arrived and was directed towards a socket in the kitchen. The lady couldnt really explain what the engineer had told her.

I plugged my multifunction tester in and immmediately realised there was a problem. The display wasnt showing a voltage between live and earth but was showing voltage between live-neutral and neutral-earth. I removed the socket front and saw that the live and neutral conductors had been connected into the wrong terminals. Once i had sorted this out i plugged my tester in again to try and do a Zs test, but i was unable to as there was still voltage showing between neutral and earth. I tried another socket in the kitchen on the same circuit and was able to perform the test, getting a reading of 500ohms. The system is a TT although a quick look at the mains suggests there might be PME available.

I went around various sockets on the circuit and was left a little bit baffled as some would let me perform a Zs test and others wouldnt as it was indicating a voltage between neutral and earth. When i initially removed the socket with reversed polarity i used my tester across neutral and earth and was getting a voltage of around 30v. I have advised the customer to have a EICR, which she is going ahead with. I wasnt able to spend any great deal of time there last night so sorry for any lack of other information. As already said i will be returning to carry out an EICR so will hopefully get to the bottom of the issue then, but in the meantime any suggestions, advice greatly welcomed.

 

[Rpa07]

Did they build the stairs around the DB?
That is a tight space and with that stupid shaped shelf that doesn't help changing the board will be as much work if not more!
Question 2 Is the husband still around or has she buried him?

 

[leep82]

Did they build the stairs around the DB?
That is a tight space and with that stupid shaped shelf that doesn't help changing the board will be as much work if not more!
Question 2 Is the husband still around or has she buried him?

Yeah he's still around, he was giving it the " i dont know why she wants this work done its been fine for years " line, when i was there. Thinking of moving the DB directly under that shelf if possible. I certainly wouldnt want to keep it in there

 

[telectrix]

time to get the hammer out.

 

[suffolkspark]

The customer is aware that if they require a satisfactory report then they are going to have to spend more money to have the remedial work done. Once i have copied the report from draft form i am going to have a sit down with them to discuss there options

I think I'd get my bill in before talking though any of it with them to be honest

 

[davesparks]

Is the 2.5 feeding the boiler the only cable in that mcb?

 

[leep82]

Is the 2.5 feeding the boiler the only cable in that mcb?

No theres a double socket in the kitchen that used to be the old cooker supply, wired in 4mm

 

[davesparks]

No theres a double socket in the kitchen that used to be the old cooker supply, wired in 4mm

Check the diagrams in the appendix but that may be allowable.