Issues with Shaver Light connections

rojroj · Sep 14, 2015

Hello forumites,

I had a Vysal Shaver Light --- Dual Voltage Charging Socket which was working perfectly until the builders opened it up for Tiling. Now, after they re-connected, it doesn't work. I bought 2 new Shavers and none would work either. On checking, I found that they do work when connected to a different point. So, the cables coming out of the wall are damaged.

There are Live, Neutral and Earth cables coming out of the wall. However, the Vysal being double isolated, only Live and Neutral were used. Since the Tester glows on the Live, I doubted that the return path was damaged / broken. So, after testing with a multimeter, I find no Voltage across the Live and Neutral, whereas around 240 V across Live and Earth. So, wondering what are my options now and if the Earth can be used instead of the Neutral ? I am not too bothered about charging, as I can always use another socket with adapter. It's the Light that is more important to me. Any suggestions please.

Thanks and Regards

Pete999 · Sep 14, 2015

If you have nil electrical knowledge can I sugest you get a local sparky in to take a butchers, probably a loose connection, shouldn't cost you much, worth it in the long run.

Marvo · Sep 14, 2015

You can't use the earth as the neutral, it's dangerous and illegal. Bathroom are considered special zones and have extra considerations given to them in the electrical regs because people getting shocks in that environment are far more likely to get killed so please don't take any shortcuts.

If you've already proved it's the circuit that's at fault then the fault needs to be localised and repaired. TBH if the builders caused the problem I'd ask them to send their electrician to find and fix the fault otherwise you'll have to get a sparky in to find it.

rojroj · Sep 15, 2015

There is a junction box behind the Extractor Fan Switch and the Neutral there was not connected.
Connecting that completed the circuit and I can see 245 V across the Live and Neutral of the Shaver Point now.
However, the Extractor Fan is not working, which could be due to the fact that I left the yellow (with the Red Sleeve) disconnected in the Pull Cord Switch. I guess that is the wire that signals the Extractor Fan to switch On/Off when the Main Light is On/Off. I'll connect it and check.