flicker/dipping lights

[18j]

we had some work done back in jan, some new lights and sockets in a kitchen extension. until a few weeks ago no prob, since then we get the lights flicker and also any lights plugged into sockets also, the computer hard drive can be heard to falter so it effecting all lights and sockets in the house. called a sparky mate who did the ext but couldnt find anything other than the current at 234v coming in. is this possibly the prob and if it is whom do i contact about it?

 

[18j]

he did check all the connections in the consumer unit....have to get him back

 

[Darkwood]

tell him to check the clamp is on the correct side of the out going side of the main switch for the live busbar and neutral as this is often overlooked if hes never come across it before.

 

[chloebear]

definatly sounds like a loose connection in the board or tails from the meter

 

[nickblake]

Check the connections in the dist board especially the factory installed cables if these are loose you could end up with an over heating bus bar , the other thing you should do is to check the Ze , then check the voltage ,under load ie stick the kettle on , it could be a supply fault but id start as the guys have said at the board check all connections

 

[18j]

had a letter on sat stating that there will be an interruption to the supply on nov 3rd for essential work on the dist system. could this have anything to do with our fault?, got worse last night with power going off for 1 or 2 secs.

 

[telectrix]

Bugger you bet me to it lol[/QUOTE


first time for everything

 

[Octopus]

"called a sparky mate who did the ext but couldnt find anything other than the current at 234v coming in"

I'd suggest he came back and did a few more tests. Out of interest did he give you a certificate with his test results when he did the installation? These figures may give you somewhere to start because a "retest" should give the same numbers - if not .....

 

[nickblake]

would like to correct it its not the current but voltage comming in at 234v , the real test to carry out is a Ze test , and see what the readings are had a neutral fault on an installation flickering lights turned out to be a faulty neutral on the supply

 

[18j]

dont know if it makes a difference as i am not electrically minded but when the power dips enough to interupt supply to clocks for eg. it does not cause any of the rcd in the board to trip

 

[Andyfm]

Definately sounds like connection fault at CU or Meter terminals, or even external on the incoming supply - you could give your meter tails a shake (or maybe let your sparky mate do it) and see if it happens then

 

[18j]

awoke this morn to no power at all, nothing tripped. after scrabbling about to find a torch the power came back on by itself. checked the boiler timer and found it had gone off at 5.30, came back at 7.40. streetlights were on and nextdoors security light was on when i got up so it was'nt a cut.

 

[Darkwood]

Street lights and neighbours are not always an indication as power supplies are sub devided into 3 phases you may be on an effected phase while you neighbours and street on other phases but from previous posts it all seems to be pointing to the problem been local to your premises but ask around just to check others havent experienced it.

 

[malcolmsanford]

had a letter on sat stating that there will be an interruption to the supply on nov 3rd for essential work on the dist system. could this have anything to do with our fault?, got worse last night with power going off for 1 or 2 secs.

Seems like your Nov 3rd came early. There as obviously been a fault on the distribution side of your supply. Most likely find that a DNO joint was failing, they had arranged to do it on the 3rd and it went before. ie this morning.

With a bit of luck that maybe an end to it. Though you could call your supplier up and ask if they have had problems and tell them what you have been experiencing

 

[telectrix]

it's a possibility

 

[18j]

as i write this western power are outside changing lamposts on the road, i spoke to them and said about the power being off and flickering lights, they said they would look at the joint on the post. so fingers crossed