Help!!! Can't turn electric off!!!

Doug81 · Feb 2, 2019

Hi, I'm currently in the process of changing all my switches and sockets and I'm coming across a few problems, like no earth wire for any of the light fittings. Similarly no earth for some of the upstairs plug sockets but the worst yet is the socket in the hallway (right by the fuse box). It has both new (blue,brown,yellow/green) and old (red,black) wires looped together -not a big issue I hear you say....well it is when the old wiring is live even when the fuse box is switched off!!! How do I go about making it safe???

[ElectriciansForums.net] Help!!! Can't turn electric off!!!

Doug81 · Feb 2, 2019

Got 2 plugs side by side, isolated and tested the left hand side one, replaced it then started on the right only to find it was still live.

Dave OCD · Feb 2, 2019

Doug81 said:
View attachment 47571

What does that tell us ? I suspect the fitted one is a spur off the problem one - fed by the newer cable.

dksanders · Feb 2, 2019

So are you saying you had the main switch (the big red one on the left) switched off yet those wires were still live?
There was never a socket fitted to that backbone, there's too much plaster, there's only one (new) cross head screw holding the back box to the wall also.
The red and black cables look like the outer insulation doesn't enter the back box (which also looks too shiny to be any thing other than new.

What's the large black box on it's side under the meter, is that grey T&E with white tape connected to it?

I suspect we're not getting the full story here.

dmxtothemax · Feb 2, 2019

What type of testers are you using ? Have you considered that you may be getting ghost voltage ?. If you do not know about ghost voltage ? Google it.

Deleted member 26818 · Feb 2, 2019

The picture of the CU, looks like everything is switched on.

Madocks · Feb 2, 2019

Any solar panels?

littlespark · Feb 2, 2019

Good idea, @Madocks …. although its unlikely, its feasible.

Squid · Feb 2, 2019

That bell wire is a sight to behold......... as well as the vertically installed sockets...........

ferg · Feb 3, 2019

One of the breakers looks as though it's been taped over in the off position.

Rpa07 · Feb 3, 2019

So many unanswered questions! I wonder if I go to bed I’ll dream of the answers -
I hope not!

Doug81 · Feb 3, 2019

dksanders said:
So are you saying you had the main switch (the big red one on the left) switched off yet those wires were still live?
There was never a socket fitted to that backbone, there's too much plaster, there's only one (new) cross head screw holding the back box to the wall also.
The red and black cables look like the outer insulation doesn't enter the back box (which also looks too shiny to be any thing other than new.

What's the large black box on it's side under the meter, is that grey T&E with white tape connected to it?

I suspect we're not getting the full story here.

The walls were skimmed

dksanders said:
So are you saying you had the main switch (the big red one on the left) switched off yet those wires were still live?
There was never a socket fitted to that backbone, there's too much plaster, there's only one (new) cross head screw holding the back box to the wall also.
The red and black cables look like the outer insulation doesn't enter the back box (which also looks too shiny to be any thing other than new.

What's the large black box on it's side under the meter, is that grey T&E with white tape connected to it?

I suspect we're not getting the full story here.

The walls were recently skimmed with the socket fronts unscrewed from the wall, that's why there is excess plaster in the corners. See close up pics....hope this explains more??

Doug81 · Feb 3, 2019

dmxtothemax said:
What type of testers are you using ? Have you considered that you may be getting ghost voltage ?. If you do not know about ghost voltage ? Google it.

One of those screw drivers with the LED on it!??

Doug81 · Feb 3, 2019

Doug81 said:
It's all back on now but I switched the main red one off on the left. What do you need to see in the pic?

littlespark said:
The red and black there is still live when the fuse board is turned off?
You have a serious problem.

How did you test that? Sore fingers?

Can you post a photo of your meter and fuseboard set up. There might be a clue as to what is wrong.

Can you safely protect those live cables from accidental touching?

How did a socket fit on that box with all that plaster taking up the top right corner?

Anyone in Nottingham up for a late night Saturday night callout?

SparkyChick · Feb 3, 2019

The box under the meter may be a bell transormer that could (if the labelling is correct) be connected to the MCB that is taped off.

If, with the main red switch in the off position, the cables coming out of the wall are still live, then you should seek the services of a competent local electrician immediately.