Continuity problem.

[Peter88]

Hello,
Though qualified I have never actually worked as an electrician. I now have a problem at home.
I have a situation I can't get my head around. Its a partition wall, timber and hollow. The wiring is all inside. On one half I have power, with common working. On the other half I have live phase but no common. I can't find a loose contact. When using a multimeter I get 240 volts on the not working side but only when using earth as common.

Is it normal for earth to complete a circuit like this? Am I right in assuming that coomon is broken somewhere? With earth acting as a common does this suggest its touching somewhere?

Thanks

 

[Spudnik]

You probably would get 240V between line and earth as the earth is combined with the neutral after it has left the property, if it is a TNCS/PME supply.


I think maybe you should enlist the services of a local electrician.

It is very difficult to describe faults on a forum.

 

[Peter88]

Thanks to all.
Now that I know that earth hasn't been compromised I can fix this.