British General outside socket

[plancaster]

Hi People on an install I have come across a British General outside socket that is reducing the Insulation Resistance when i remove the outside socket the IR goes back up has any one come across this before
Thanks phil

 

[telectrix]

If it is one of these then it is the neon most likely:

British General IP66 13A 2-Gang DP Weatherproof Outdoor Switched Socket - Screwfix

[automerge]1587748954[/automerge]
Out of curiosity has anyone used one of them? For £10 it seems very cheap but maybe it is OK.

or both of them. but only in circuit with switches ON. and i think BG are using LEDs instead of neons, these days.

 

[Pete999]

the reading was between line and neutral read low and the line and earth was fine as for the neon mmm I can not recall if it has one
phil

You say they were fine but what are the results of your testing?

 

[radiohead]

I use BG IP sockets, they are fine....and fitted with neon indicators. If the OP is testing L-N then that would be the reason for the low reading.
To the OP I would suggest you should only carry out a L-N test on a new known circuit where you can be certain all loads are out of circuit. A 500v test L-N can damage some equipment and if you continue to test L-N without checking it is inevitable that eventually you'll damage something expensive. On existing circuits where you cannot be absolutely certain what is connected a LN-E test is perfectly acceptable and is much safer. If you must carry out a L-N test always start with a soft test at 250v.

 

[pc1966]

If you must carry out a L-N test always start with a soft test at 250v.

It is a shame that testers don't automatically start at 250V and then only go up if it looks like an open circuit (say > 1M or maybe more) meriting more volts to verify that.

 

[davesparks]

It is a shame that testers don't automatically start at 250V and then only go up if it looks like an open circuit (say > 1M or maybe more) meriting more volts to verify that.

Not really, an electrician should have enough knowledge to be able to perform tests safely without needing the tester to do it all for them.

 

[westward10]

I always start with 500v then revert to 250v if necessary.

 

[pirate]

I've fitted a few of the BG ones, and to be fair they are OK, but they just feel "plasticky" and in addition lifting the cover is not easy, as it is a very tight fit. However, for the money they're fine for occasional use. Personally i would fit something more up-market if i were to be using it daily.

 

[multimick]

I've fitted a few of the BG ones, and to be fair they are OK, but they just feel "plasticky" and in addition lifting the cover is not easy, as it is a very tight fit. However, for the money they're fine for occasional use. Personally i would fit something more up-market if i were to be using it daily.

The cover is a nightmare hard to open hard to close

 

[davesparks]

I've never found the cover on the BG one hard to open or close, but I haven't fitted one for a couple of years so maybe they've changed.
They used to have two clips at the bottom you undo and then it hinges up easy.

 

[multimick]

I've never found the cover on the BG one hard to open or close, but I haven't fitted one for a couple of years so maybe they've changed.
They used to have two clips at the bottom you undo and then it hinges up easy.

Yep it's the 2 clips that are the problem

 

[mattg4321]

They are extremely hard to clip shut and open - at least at first. I've had a few customer complain about it (when they have supplied materials)

I usually fit MK outside.

 

[MJPD29]

If it is one of these then it is the neon most likely:

British General IP66 13A 2-Gang DP Weatherproof Outdoor Switched Socket - Screwfix

[automerge]1587748954[/automerge]
Out of curiosity has anyone used one of them? For £10 it seems very cheap but maybe it is OK.

Was given a couple to fit. They seemed ok, until the covers started breaking off within weeks. Poor quality. Same goes for all BG IMO. I use hager ip66 sockets now or click hager ones re a bit more expensive but very well built.