Dead short between line and neutral- RFC

[DaveyD]

What reading do you get if you split the ring and fire connected lives to earth down each leg?

 

[the pict]

I think you have a sockets off all round job here, one RFC at a time both legs out at the CU, and testing as you diconnect each in turn testing "upsteam" of yourself working back to the CU till you get >999 then you know it's "behind you" so to speak maybe your first thought of a "nail" is not so far out,
Pict

 

[Goody]

I once had a poor IR reading between L & N but not exactly 0.00 M Ohms. I opened the sockets one by one, cleaned the muck/dust off, checked for any short and the readings improved considerably. JB's will be a pain to look into especially if they are under floor boards.

Can’t think of anything else other than neons or loads still on the circuit.

PS: check for permanently connected appliances such as cooker hood, lighter unit for the gas cooker and so on.

 

[pencilpusher]

OK. Sorted!

Thank you to all those who have assisted me here. The bottom line is the plug tops (extension leads without neons nor surge protection) still connected but switched off were the problem. I had one on each RFC. I spent an hour taking a cupboard unit down to remove plug tops and an hour putting it back! I could turn them off but could not extract the plug top. On removing the plugs, I get >999 Mohms on each RFC. I do have 560 Mohms on neutral to earth on one but I can live with that! On the whole board, I am still getting low N to E of about 6 Mohms but I suspect I do have some damp somewhere and resistances in parallel etc. Still its quite acceptable.

I am still learning here and am doing so on my own installation. It's the best way IMO. I have learnt so much in the last 24 hours about IR testing and I am grateful to all of you for helping me. Without all the advice, I would still be pulling what little hair I do have, out!

My last problem is an RCD installed. It trips out on half test and ramps at 13mA ! I think I will replace that!!

Regards PP

 

[DaveyD]

Hey, whoa, hang on there a minute. Are you saying that I was right about something?


Thanks for posting back.

 

[pencilpusher]

Hey, whoa, hang on there a minute. Are you saying that I was right about something?


Thanks for posting back.

DaveyD: You were spot on but I am not in a position to display any sarcasm at all. I am just grateful for the help!

Regards PP

 

[the pict]

Congratulations on your tenacity, great feeling when you sus a problem, IR testing can be a doddle but is a bit like fishing, needs patience and you'v got to love what your doing well done.
Pict,

 

[pencilpusher]

Congratulations on your tenacity, great feeling when you sus a problem, IR testing can be a doddle but is a bit like fishing, needs patience and you'v got to love what your doing well done.
Pict,

Well thank you Sir!

 

[DaveyD]

I DONT like the way this thread is going. you are totally diverting the attention away from me.

 

[the pict]

Yeah, We know
Pict

 

[pencilpusher]

I did not intend to start a punch up you know!!

 

[the pict]

Just could'nt help myself, got a devilment streak and cant resist a laugh
Pict

 

[DaveyD]

Ok Mods - lock it down lock it down ........

(Seriously I'm only pulling your pencil pusher, well done on sorting it and no offence intended to the loser Pict....) :yesnod:

 

[the pict]

In the interests of international harmony and de'tant I will on this occasion defer to the honorable member from Warminster,
Pict

 

[Goody]

OK. Sorted!

Thank you to all those who have assisted me here. The bottom line is the plug tops (extension leads without neons nor surge protection) still connected but switched off were the problem. I had one on each RFC. I spent an hour taking a cupboard unit down to remove plug tops and an hour putting it back! I could turn them off but could not extract the plug top. On removing the plugs, I get >999 Mohms on each RFC. I do have 560 Mohms on neutral to earth on one but I can live with that! On the whole board, I am still getting low N to E of about 6 Mohms but I suspect I do have some damp somewhere and resistances in parallel etc. Still its quite acceptable.

I am still learning here and am doing so on my own installation. It's the best way IMO. I have learnt so much in the last 24 hours about IR testing and I am grateful to all of you for helping me. Without all the advice, I would still be pulling what little hair I do have, out!

My last problem is an RCD installed. It trips out on half test and ramps at 13mA ! I think I will replace that!!

Regards PP

Thank you for sharing your findings. I will include this in the list of things to check if I get dodgy IR readings. Well done to you!