Advice sought on spurs off spurs

[pirate]

This isn't the thread I expected...
I saw "spurs"
and "spurs off spurs"
was kinda expecting something more interesting...

 

[Wilko]

On your testing question, no - all the outlets do not need to be removed. But they should all be tested and this should give a reasonable indication of the string of outlets being spurred off the ring, or not. Then they could be further investigated.

 

[Octopus]

Placing both lighting circuits on the same rcd , but separate mcbs is not a good idea.

They should both be on the same mcb ....

 

[PEG]

What? we are on post #19,with that title...and nobody has used the word "cowboy"?

.....You lot are slipping...

 

[telectrix]

The circuits were split differently but after spark had gone home when I turned on the landing loght both rcd’s tripped. I called & he came back the next day & explained there must be a shared neutral between the lighting circuits & had to rewire the panel which meant the loads would not be split how he originally intended. That fixed the tripping issue. Does this seem a plausible explanation?

that's the lazy way out.basically you have the landing light with the N from the upstairs circuit, and the L from downstairs. was common practice 50 years or so ago, saved running a 3 core for strappers between switches. such an arrangement is potentially dangerous unless both lighting circuits are on the same MCB. (which contravenes the "division of circuits reg.".).

 

[Steve_bcs]

Thanks for the info... I always thought it more convenient to have the lighting circuits split for maintenance etc or if there is a problem with one circuit ... the other still works. Every property I have owned has had split lighting circuits. I would prefer them to be on separate MCB & on separate RCD's . So can I simply say to the spark he is in breach of the regs and to a) put both onto one MCB or preferably b) rewire the landing light circuit . I presume then that that the whole lot will then need retesting & a new certificate issuing?

Is it practical or even doable for the landing light set up to be rewired completely to have up & down on separate RCD's ? The house is currently a building site with floor boards exposed in every room ( bar the master & ensuite & living room) & the ground floor rear open plan kitchen/diner ceilings are down, all walls stripped and there is good loft access ( good height too) so access to the wiring is definitely not an issue. Plastering contractor due in a couple of weeks so any chasing of walls is fine at the moment.

Maybe before I say anything to him, should I just get a test and inspection electrician in and officially check the work, & then submit the findings to my guy & then ask/demand he puts it right or refunds me so I can pay someone else to do it properly?

Many thanks all for your comments - and for picking up on the lighting wiring, this forum is a really helpful resource.

 

[telectrix]

reading between the lines, your sparks has done a quick fix that has resolved your tripping problem.he will have charged accordingly. my advice would be to ask him to come back and rewire the landing light so that the lights can be split between the RCDs. obviously, this is a bigger job and you should agree a mutually acceptable cost from him. it's not a horrendous amount given that you say access and chasing is not a problem. that way, everyone is happy.

 

[Steve_bcs]

Will do , good idea, & you are right - he did a quick fix to get things working. I don't mind paying fairly for his time to rewire the circuit. thanks!

 

[telectrix]

yeah. better sorted now while house is a bomb site.

 

[Steve_bcs]

Just called him, booked in for next Friday. Good result. Thanks again.

 

[Toneyz]

I think you have done the right thing there.

 

[Octopus]

Really you should have a rcbo board .....

 

[Steve_bcs]

What is an rcbo board & why?

 

[Octopus]

What is an rcbo board & why?

A rcbo board is fitted with rcbos - each one has the charastics of a mcb and rcd

If one trips, nothing else, unless under exceptional circumstances should trip....

Unlike a dual rcd board when a rcd trips, you loose 1/2 your circuits

 

[Steve_bcs]

Electrician came back as promised. I had in the meantime traced the neutral from the landing light fitting to a source in a bedroom light pendant and also proved that the live was linked from the dual switch at the bottom of the stairs ( hall / landing) . Electrical removed the existing neutral, took a new neutral from a downstairs light junction up into the loft and to the landing light. Then moved the circuit breaker to the other rcd & bingo all working properly. Thanks again all for highlighting this issue.