Blown Switch - never had this before!

[i3_happy]

We've got a overnight storage heater, fairly old but still going. That was until it starting tripping the RCD, so half the CU went off.

The switch has a crack and upon investigation it was burnt out, melted some of the cable insulation too.

Switch replaced, but radiator still isolated at the CU, I'm not going to turn it on until the new year as I'm slight concerned. Don't want any further hassle over Christmas.

Likely a loose or disconnected neutral, but can it get this bad?

 

[simpson93]

We've got a overnight storage heater, fairly old but still going. That was until it starting tripping the RCD, so half the CU went off.

The switch has a crack and upon investigation it was burnt out, melted some of the cable insulation too.

Switch replaced, but radiator still isolated at the CU, I'm not going to turn it on until the new year as I'm slight concerned. Don't want any further hassle over Christmas.

Likely a loose or disconnected neutral, but can it get this bad?

View attachment 119142

View attachment 119143

I've seen a few like this and worse. Generally needs a replacement switch and any damaged burnt cable cut off.

 

[freddo]

Seen loads, often loose terminals or terminal screw clamping the insulation instead of the copper, or strands not all clamped in the terminal. I usually use bootlace ferrules when connecting flex to things.