New Consumer Unit Installation - L&N Reverse at the sockets

[Pete999]

Corrected that for you...

Thank you Murdoch, kind of you.

 

[Midwest]

Vol, do you have a snap shot of the 'Circuit Details' and the 'Test Instrument Used'?

PS good that the dangerous fault has now been rectified. Its a shame your electrician didn't do all the form filling in and testing in the first place.

Can you provide those snap shots Vol?

 

[Midwest]

I've been reading the posts again, and just read Tel's at #116. 'the tails entering the CU appear to be hard up against the metalwork. where's the grommet', I can't see any grommet strip either, but that's a simple fix.

However whilst studying that picture, I can't see the earthing conductor (difficult to tell from the pic) entering the enclosure through the same cable entry as the tails, it should do, but again a simple fix. My only concern is I can't really see an earthing conductor in the CU (again, difficult to tell from the pic). It look as if the service head is somewhere above the CU, do you have a pic of that Vol?

Did you find out about the Building Warrants?

 

[Vol]

Hi Midwest, please refer to my post #135. "I've tried to show willing in response to the help I did get by showing as much info from today's resolution as I could. I'm done now." What part of "I'm done now" don't you understand?

 

[Midwest]

Hi Midwest, please refer to my post #135. "I've tried to show willing in response to the help I did get by showing as much info from today's resolution as I could. I'm done now." What part of "I'm done now" don't you understand?

Perhaps you should ask a moderator to close this thread then, save anymore members wasting their time trying to assist, and more posts which will not be replied to?

 

[Les Macaulay]

Hi, victim of a careless "electrician".
This is one of the most serious faults to have been left with you.
Do you know why?

 

[The Ghost]

What part of "I'm done now" don't you understand?

The bit about you still being involved and contributing to the conversation?

 

[delano]

Hi there, I'm a newbie to the forum. I'm an ordinary senior citizen householder but while not an electrician, I do take notice and read up on all the stuff the electricians are doing in my house. I have just had a modern, metal consumer unit installed after the removal of the old traditional fuse box. The installation went pretty well with very few curses! Given the old wiring in the house, everyone was pleasantly surprised when both RCDs stayed good and the supply uninterrupted.
As a final check before leaving, the electrician inserted a socket tester. In every location tried, the socket tester showed L&N Reverse. I bought s socket tester and confirm the same readings: L&N Reverse. I haven't checked every single socket but that is the pattern.
One problem is that I have no way of telling if the old fuse box situation would have given the same L&N Reverse readings, ie did the electrician change anything or just carry on an existing (hidden) error?
Firstly, is this in any way a dangerous situation given the RCDs are quite happy? If dangerous, what should be done immediately?
Secondly, how could this reversal have occurred? The electrician simply reinserted the live and neutral cables appropriately as they were removed. The meter tails were changed cos the existing were only 16mm. Could the tails have been reversed somehow?
Anything else you guys can suggest?
Thanks for reading the newbie panic post! I would appreciate any input, thanks..

I had this scenario after doing a full inspection and testing of a property last month. The test results were good and I installed a new split amendment 3 CCU. I then did some tests after the install and noticed I had L-N reversal at all sockets. I then rechecked my wiring/polarity at the board; all good. I eventually established that one of the main RCD'S was faulty. Considering it was brand new, I was surprised by this. The board was an MK Sentry,brand new. Theses boards are being sold at a much cheaper price than their main competitors but I won't be buying them anymore.

 

[telectrix]

I had this scenario after doing a full inspection and testing of a property last month. The test results were good and I installed a new split amendment 3 CCU. I then did some tests after the install and noticed I had L-N reversal at all sockets. I then rechecked my wiring/polarity at the board; all good. I eventually established that one of the main RCD'S was faulty. Considering it was brand new, I was surprised by this. The board was an MK Sentry,brand new. Theses boards are being sold at a much cheaper price than their main competitors but I won't be buying them anymore.

try the BG boards. similar price to MK, but better quality and better looking. ( a bit like me, i suppose ).

 

[Pete999]

I had this scenario after doing a full inspection and testing of a property last month. The test results were good and I installed a new split amendment 3 CCU. I then did some tests after the install and noticed I had L-N reversal at all sockets. I then rechecked my wiring/polarity at the board; all good. I eventually established that one of the main RCD'S was faulty. Considering it was brand new, I was surprised by this. The board was an MK Sentry,brand new. Theses boards are being sold at a much cheaper price than their main competitors but I won't be buying them anymore.

What was the fault on the RCD?

 

[delano]

I've had issues with BG boards as well. I only use quality brands now. More expensive but at least I have more confidence when installing and no call backs or complaints from clients.

try the BG boards. similar price to MK, but better quality and better looking. ( a bit like me, i suppose ).

 

[delano]

What was the fault on the RCD?

No tripping at x 5

 

[Pete999]

No tripping at x 5

Thanks Mate sorry if I have missed something, just got me wondering what does failing the trip test have to do with reversed polarity?

 

[delano]

Thanks Mate sorry if I have missed something, just got me wondering what does failing the trip test have to do with reversed polarity?

Normally, nothing but it indicated a faulty RCD. Internally, it caused a L-N fault, also caused supply voltage on earth.

 

[Pete999]

Normally, nothing but it indicated a faulty RCD. Internally, it caused a L-N fault, also caused supply voltage on earth.

Agree the non trip would indicate a duff RCD the other faults you mention, I'm not so sure.

 

[delano]

Agree the non trip would indicate a duff RCD the other faults you mention, I'm not so sure.

As stated, it was definitely the RCD. Once changed, all faults were cleared. Have reported it to MK and they are aware of the problem.

 

[Pete999]

As stated, it was definitely the RCD. Once changed, all faults were cleared. Have reported it to MK and they are aware of the problem.

Would be great if you could relate what MK have to say on the matter.

 

[delano]

Would be great if you could relate what MK have to say on the matter.

They did not give me a definite reason, only that they are aware of faulty RCBOS and RCD'S. Will keep you posted on any updates.

 

[Pete999]

They did not give me a definite reason, only that they are aware of faulty RCBOS and RCD'S. Will keep you posted on any updates.

Thanks

 

[Paul228]

I came across a L an N reversals only a few months ago.
Was called out to a kitchen circuit tripping... found a screw in the wall and into the cable. But as part of the testing I noticed the L and N were reversed in the entire house.
On close inspection I found the incoming feed had been reversed by the electrician who had connected the solar panels some months ago. I rang the company and sent them some pictures. They said they used a local electrician as theirs was too busy and as such can't accept responsibility. I reported them to local building control....I heard nothing.

 

[Specialist]

Jeez, I don't believe this has got to nine pages.

 

[Octopus]

They did not give me a definite reason, only that they are aware of faulty RCBOS and RCD'S. Will keep you posted on any updates.

Most of us are well aware of the well publicised issues and recalls of MK RCBO's

 

[Octopus]

I came across a L an N reversals only a few months ago.
Was called out to a kitchen circuit tripping... found a screw in the wall and into the cable. But as part of the testing I noticed the L and N were reversed in the entire house.
On close inspection I found the incoming feed had been reversed by the electrician who had connected the solar panels some months ago. I rang the company and sent them some pictures. They said they used a local electrician as theirs was too busy and as such can't accept responsibility. I reported them to local building control....I heard nothing.

Please tell me YOU fixed the problem as a matter of priority?

 

[Paul228]

Of course I fixed it, just after I came off the phone with the solar panel company.

 

[Specialist]

You sure now ? You didn't wait 10 days before you went back to fix it

 

[Paul228]

Lol.
Loving the tongue in cheek sarcasm.
The best of it was, I billed the solar panel company a,silly amount and they paid it within two days. Based on how long it took and what they paid, I was on par with yaya toure in terms of wages.

 

[Specialist]

Sorry buddy, Sarcasm wasn't aimed at you just the thread OP.
Glad you got well paid for it, well deserved for finding the problem & actually sorting it.

 

[Paul228]

Being a,northerners, we use sarcasm 24/7, so it's all good.