230v between N+E and 0v between L+E

[An Buachaillín Bán]

Hi all,

I was called out earlier today to a house where a plumber was fitting a new mains electrics shower. He wanted to know if the existing cable was of a suitable size. I am a recently registered electrical contactor, however I hadn't come across this issue before. The cable was a 6sq pvc pvc. Houses were built in the 70s but cable wasn't as old, as they were brown blue and earth. However, I'm getting 230v across N+E, and 0v across L+E. Would I be right in assuming the house may not be neutralised?

Thanks in advance for all advice

 

[An Buachaillín Bán]

You can establish neutralising with 2 steps....

1) visually confirm the link from the ESB,s cutout to the main Neutral in your D.B.

2)Test its effectiveness by conducting a continuity test between the main Neutral and the Main earth.It should read "0.00 ohms"

I,m working in Cork today.If you want to cintact me ,feel free.

Thanks very much for the words of wisdom! And a particular thanks for the offer of help. Much appreciated.

 

[timhoward]

Thanks for coming back to tell us. Always nice to hear the end of the story.
Well done for finding it too.

 

[123]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies. Those of you who said reversed polarity were correct. After much digging in the attic under floor boards I found a junction box where the polarity was reversed on load cable coming from the pull chord, cables very badly made off too might I add.
I haven't found out how long this man is without a shower, because I don't see how the previous shower would have worked either.
Either way, shower is now operational. I have offered to inspect the house at a discounted rate, as the owner is an elderly gentleman who lives on his own with very limited social contact.

Thanks again for all your help guys!

With L-N reversed polarity it would have worked with the user unaware of the reverse polarity. Had the entire house been L-N reverse polarity then to the user everything would seem to be working as normal

 

[Petej999]

Hi all,

I was called out earlier today to a house where a plumber was fitting a new mains electrics shower. He wanted to know if the existing cable was of a suitable size. I am a recently registered electrical contactor, however I hadn't come across this issue before. The cable was a 6sq pvc pvc. Houses were built in the 70s but cable wasn't as old, as they were brown blue and earth. However, I'm getting 230v across N+E, and 0v across L+E. Would I be right in assuming the house may not be neutralised?

Thanks in advance for all advice

Crossed polarity somewhere call an electrician

 

[DPG]

Crossed polarity somewhere call an electrician

He's sorted it Pete, see further up.

 

[Petej999]

He's sorted it Pete, see further up.

Oh right thanks