Socket ring main causing flickering lamps

MrTapster · Jun 4, 2019

Hi all

To start off, there’s been no work on the ring main for 8 years or so. (Other than having a smart metre fitted about 12 months ago)

Yesterday afternoon I noticed a buzzing from a plug socket. I unplugged what was plugged in thinking it was the appliance and didn’t think anything more of it because the buzzing stopped.

Last night switched on some lamps plugged into other sockets but on the same main and they started to flicker. Going around the house, things flickering on that same circuit. Even a fused switch, the little red light was flickering.

I reduced what was plugged into the circuit and the flickering stopped. It seems it can’t take more than a couple of items plugged in.

We have 2 ring mains for the circuits and the other is not affected so I don’t think it’s the supply. Yeah

So, seeing this is something that has just started without anything being messed with, could it be the RCD needing replacing?

The RCD hasn’t tripped. I’m thinking seeing it’s not 1 socket causing it, the short could be on the board.

Any advice of where to start testing would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Chris

westward10 · Jun 4, 2019

Could be a poor connection for that circuit in your consumer unit. Should get it checked out ASAP.

buzzlightyear · Jun 4, 2019

Welcome mr bond May i say you should get odd job to have look at it with ----- golore.

telectrix · Jun 4, 2019

Yesterday afternoon I noticed a buzzing from a plug socket.
that's possibly where there is a loose connection.

buzzlightyear · Jun 4, 2019

telectrix said:
noticed a buzzing from a plug socket.

i was not me guv , i was down the pub ask the landlord .

telectrix · Jun 4, 2019

my local landlord has a sign up for whenever wives ring.

he's not here..... £2

haven't seen him all week..... £5

he's not been in since Xmas.... £10

Who? ........ £20

Strima · Jun 4, 2019

Loose termination that will need sorting out sooner rather than later.

buzzlightyear · Jun 4, 2019

Strima said:
need sorting out sooner rather than later

now is the word ,like yesterday .

MrTapster · Jun 4, 2019

Arrh yes, yes be been expecting you

[ElectriciansForums.net] Socket ring main causing flickering lamps

Thanks for (some off

) the replies.

I’ll check that socket, however I don’t think it’s that as flickering is happening on other sockets.

I’ve not tried plugging in the same appliance to other sockets to see if it buzzes else where.

If it’s possibly the consumer unit, would could cause the issue after several years? It’s not in a heavy Traffic area or any reason for a wire to be pulled or knocked.

dmxtothemax · Jun 5, 2019

there is a poor connecttion somewhere,
upstream of every common thing
reducing the load is a temporary fix only
you need to find the place where it is probably arcing
if you don't the chances of a fire are very real !

littlespark · Jun 5, 2019

James Bond?
More like Craig Revel Horwood

Sorry, mate.

Agree with above. Loose connection on the circuit which needs identified and fixed pronto.
Are you sure it doesn’t happen on other circuits? Thinking loose tails on smart meter.

Please get a professional to do this. There’s too much that can go wrong to just DIY it

shaun1 · Jun 5, 2019

Faults like this can develop slowly fron a poor connection. The point where the connection is bad will heat up and expand when a load is applied and could gradually get worse. Once it starts arcing (this could be the noise you heard) it will get rapidly worse. This is the kind of fault which could, in the worst case, start a fire, so it should be identified and repaired as soon as possible.

If this turns out to be a fault in a socket and its affecting all the othee sockets (or most), then that could be a sign that there is another fault and the ring is no longer complete.

A good starting point would certainly be the socket where you heard the arcing (buzzing), but you really need to have some end to end testing, and loop impedance testing carried out to make sure the ring is still intact.

What work was carried out 8 years ago, and by whom?

MrTapster · Jun 5, 2019

Thanks all

I’ll get someone in.

8 years ago the second loop was fitted when we did some renovations.

It was done by a professional.

Andy78 · Jun 5, 2019

You should get a professional in to diagnose and fix this fault for you. There are myriad reasons why this would be a better call than a diyer poking about.

Squid · Jun 5, 2019

telectrix said:
my local landlord has a sign up for whenever wives ring.

he's not here..... £2

haven't seen him all week..... £5

he's not been in since Xmas.... £10

Who? ........ £20

I have to admit I don't really live in London and I am not male, I was undercover on here as I am really your wife and this post is really the last straw, I nearly forgave you the other day as I gave you £20 to fill up our van, but ohhhhhh no smarty clever clogs thought he could fool me by filling up with £15.02's worth of fuel and spending the rest of my hard earned on beer and posting it up on here.

Well to be honest I have had enough, and you won't be surprised to see your suitcase at the door.........