I wonder if anyone has some good stories of really easy call-outs made a lot more difficult by the customer's rather fixed views. Here is my starter for ten:
A call out for a MCB for ring final circuit tripping. Customer had serious attitude, absolutely convinced it was the kettle causing it. They start off by telling me I won't find the fault, and they don't really need me at all because it's the kettle.
"Ok that should be easy to prove".
So I unplug the kettle, and it still trips.
"Well it probably damaged the socket"
That's really unlikely, but I can check it.
So I take the chance to check end-to-end continuity and L+N to E IR, all ok.
So I attempt to get more clues "Nothing wrong there, and the wiring is testing ok at first glance. Has anything changed recently, any DIY, drilling, anything electrical moved?"
"No nothing like that at all".
Ok, please can you think back, what were you doing before it tripped.
"I went shopping. It's the kettle."
and then after you went shopping and came back what happened next.
"Well, I washed my hair"
Did you dry it with a hair dryer?
"Yes"
Is hair dryer still plugged in?
"No. It's the kettle, it must be."
OK. And then?
"I cleaned behind the washing machine"
And then it tripped?
"I pushed it back in and then the kettle didn't work. I keep telling you it's the kettle."
(Gently) I'm actually sure it isn't the kettle because it still trips. Let's have a look at the washing machine.
"It can't be that!"
At the moment I can only see the washing machine, the dishwasher and the fridge freezer still connected. Oh and the tumble-drier. The most efficient way to find the fault is to start by checking the equipment still connected, starting with the last thing that moved.
If it isn't any of those things I'll then need to start taking sockets apart which is very time consuming. This is honestly the quickest way. There isn't an isolator so I'll need to pull the washing machine out again.
"It isn't that, really."
This was the last appliance you touched before you lost power. We need to check it. Are you happy for me to pull it out?
"OK, if you like (rolling eyes)"
Carefully pull it out, noting very short flex, I can just about reach behind and unplug it.
The breaker stays on. Do loop test, all good.
Pull washing machine out for a proper look:
![[ElectriciansForums.net] The customer is always right. Oh....](https://www.electriciansforums.net/attachments/1617728759622-png.84296/ "[ElectriciansForums.net] The customer is always right. Oh....")
![[ElectriciansForums.net] The customer is always right. Oh....](https://www.electriciansforums.net/attachments/1617728783176-png.84297/ "[ElectriciansForums.net] The customer is always right. Oh....")
"Will you be charging me, you haven't done much?"
Yes, I will, and I think it's fair. We're well within the first hour. I've found the exact cause of the fault. I've confirmed your sockets are safe to use. You can now make a cup of tea, your heating will work, you will have hot water again, your freezer is back on.
"But all you did was unplug the washing machine. I could have done that. I'll pay but won't be using you again".
Deep breath, gracious retreat, mental note of address for the black list.
A call out for a MCB for ring final circuit tripping. Customer had serious attitude, absolutely convinced it was the kettle causing it. They start off by telling me I won't find the fault, and they don't really need me at all because it's the kettle.
"Ok that should be easy to prove".
So I unplug the kettle, and it still trips.
"Well it probably damaged the socket"
That's really unlikely, but I can check it.
So I take the chance to check end-to-end continuity and L+N to E IR, all ok.
So I attempt to get more clues "Nothing wrong there, and the wiring is testing ok at first glance. Has anything changed recently, any DIY, drilling, anything electrical moved?"
"No nothing like that at all".
Ok, please can you think back, what were you doing before it tripped.
"I went shopping. It's the kettle."
and then after you went shopping and came back what happened next.
"Well, I washed my hair"
Did you dry it with a hair dryer?
"Yes"
Is hair dryer still plugged in?
"No. It's the kettle, it must be."
OK. And then?
"I cleaned behind the washing machine"
And then it tripped?
"I pushed it back in and then the kettle didn't work. I keep telling you it's the kettle."
(Gently) I'm actually sure it isn't the kettle because it still trips. Let's have a look at the washing machine.
"It can't be that!"
At the moment I can only see the washing machine, the dishwasher and the fridge freezer still connected. Oh and the tumble-drier. The most efficient way to find the fault is to start by checking the equipment still connected, starting with the last thing that moved.
If it isn't any of those things I'll then need to start taking sockets apart which is very time consuming. This is honestly the quickest way. There isn't an isolator so I'll need to pull the washing machine out again.
"It isn't that, really."
This was the last appliance you touched before you lost power. We need to check it. Are you happy for me to pull it out?
"OK, if you like (rolling eyes)"
Carefully pull it out, noting very short flex, I can just about reach behind and unplug it.
The breaker stays on. Do loop test, all good.
Pull washing machine out for a proper look:
"Will you be charging me, you haven't done much?"
Yes, I will, and I think it's fair. We're well within the first hour. I've found the exact cause of the fault. I've confirmed your sockets are safe to use. You can now make a cup of tea, your heating will work, you will have hot water again, your freezer is back on.
"But all you did was unplug the washing machine. I could have done that. I'll pay but won't be using you again".
Deep breath, gracious retreat, mental note of address for the black list.
