Cant find fault!

[rob121]

Hi All,
First just wanted to say I passed my domestic installer a couple of weeks ago, so a big thankyou to al those who gave me advice and helped me out when I was a bit puzzled. So again thankyou!

Anyways back to the post, got callled to a job yesterday where the landlord had told me the tenant had complained that the "low level sockets" in the kitchen had stopped working. Anyways turns out its the sockets that supply the dishwasher and fridge/freezer. The house has only one ring supplying all sockets (built in 2004, new builds for you!), then off this ring theyve put a three gang switch, which supplies them and the washing machine.
So plugged my socket tester in and everything seemed okay, plugged dishwasher in - everything okay. So done IR tests, rcd trip test, cont test - again, everything fine. Took the switch and sockets off, no dodgy connections or anything untoward.
I cant see the customer had made a mistake either because he told me he left it for 10 minutes and still nothing, so hes pulled the dishwasher and fridge out, connected above worktop and volla it worked.
Has anyone got any ideas what it could be?

The only fault I found was that the three gang switch was rated at 20AMP fed of the 32A ring. Maybe its getting a bit warm inside and theres a dodgy connection inside?! Oh and forgot to mention that the dishwasher AND fridge went off both at the same time, and theyre fed seperately from the switch.

Interesting to see a new build with a 10mm main earthing conductor on a PME aswell :hurray:

Regards,

Rob

 

[rob121]

On the faulty ones I've seen they often work fine, then all of a sudden when you try to turn them on again you get a bit of resistance and although the rocker goes over, the contacts don't make. If the clients turning them on/off regularly try asking if occasionally the switch seems "stiff".

They dont actually use the switches so he says (theyre helpfully positioned on the opposite wall to the kitchen sides tucked in a corner). Thats what bugged me about it suddenly cutting power to 2 of the appliances. They havent done any diy work either and they both go out at the same time, they unplug them and put in the sockets above worktop which are on same ring and its fine. But if the switch is rated at 20 A per circuit then it cant be overloaded. Anyway I best stop talking incase I look incompetant :13:

Cheers,
Rob

 

[telectrix]

if i can remember that far back, i advised changing the switches in post#2

 

[Des 56]

rob121

Take comments that have been critical with a pinch of salt
You and I know that the vast majority posting on here, would go out of their way to try to be of help,as you would do yourself

Well done on passing by the way

Look at the positive,every experience whether a pain in the neck (like the current one) or even mundane problems,it will all help to build your confidence and experience as the years go bye

 

[topquark]

if i can remember that far back, i advised changing the switches in post#2

In that case it's definately not that then

 

[telectrix]

:biggrinjester::59:

 

[rob121]

rob121

Take comments that have been critical with a pinch of salt
You and I know that the vast majority posting on here, would go out of their way to try to be of help,as you would do yourself

Well done on passing by the way

Look at the positive,every experience whether a pain in the neck (like the current one) or even mundane problems,it will all help to build your confidence and experience as the years go bye

Thanks a lot Des. Your absolutely right, every time something like this crops up it helps to build my knowledge and confidence. I dont come on here looking for an arguement, just different opinions and ways off looking at a situation.

After looking at the comments its pretty obvious that the chances are its the switch. Either that or the tenants just wasting a bit of the landlords money. Hes an electrician himself so suprised he didnt sort it himself.

Again I know its a simple fault and 9/10 that ive dealt with are just a dodgy connection somewhere, just suprised me that I couldnt find it and it had rectified itself without any work being done to it. As Des said its more of a confidence thing as its never re assuring walking away from a job where you didnt find the fault and tests to switch etc were all okay.

Thanks again for the constructive replies,

Rob

 

[topquark]

Now I've been fed (but not beered, yet!). The only things common to the two machines are either the switch or the supply. If plugging into the other socket on the same supply works, that just leaves the switch. As my learned friend suggested (in post 2) I'd second (or 10th) replacing the switch, but leave the customer with a caveat that it MAY not solve it. Check back with them in a week or so (depending on the regularity of the problem).

 

[Des 56]

Now I've been fed (but not beered, yet!). The only things common to the two machines are either the switch or the supply. If plugging into the other socket on the same supply works, that just leaves the switch. As my learned friend suggested (in post 2) I'd second (or 10th) replacing the switch, but leave the customer with a caveat that it MAY not solve it. Check back with them in a week or so (depending on the regularity of the problem).

hello topquark
Do you think it could be anything to do with the switch then

 

[topquark]

hello topquark
Do you think it could be anything to do with the switch then

Well, I did think that at first, but then when Tel pointed out he's already suggested that, I thought "can't be that then!". :crazy:

 

[rob121]

So its definately not the switch then?
:59:

And while you lads are here, you wouldnt know if a HSBC 10 year guarentee on a new build would cover the undersized earth would you? I dont do much work on new builds so wouldnt even think about going down that root but landlord was wondering if that would cover it? Got to be worth a try. Although I did point out most electrical contractors only offer a 5 year warranty.

 

[topquark]

So its definately not the switch then?
:59:

And while you lads are here, you wouldnt know if a HSBC 10 year guarentee on a new build would cover the undersized earth would you? I dont do much work on new builds so wouldnt even think about going down that root but landlord was wondering if that would cover it? Got to be worth a try. Although I did point out most electrical contractors only offer a 5 year warranty.

I'm pretty sure you'll find that only covers the structure of the building

 

[topquark]

Limited warranty of:

Electrical system and appliances: Problems with the electrical system or appliances are not covered during years three to ten of the policy.

For homes over two years old here: FAQ - NHBC

 

[telectrix]

HSBC??? they're a bank. wouldn't trust a bank's guarantee as far as i could throw topquark.

 

[rob121]

Limited warranty of:

Electrical system and appliances: Problems with the electrical system or appliances are not covered during years three to ten of the policy.

For homes over two years old here: FAQ - NHBC

is there any limit to your knowledge?:wings: lol

I think that clears that up
Thanks for the help.

Rob

 

[topquark]

HSBC??? they're a bank. wouldn't trust a bank's guarantee as far as i could throw topquark.

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