Hello can you help me fix my house?

[Myady1]

I dont know much about electrics.
Here is the issue.

Electric tripping (not blowing) consistently after about 1.5 hrs.

We narrowed it down to one of the fuzes on the box. When we turn that off the rest is fine. We have unplugged everything systematically from that line to try and find out what it is but nothing seems to be stopping it from tripping.

Whats on the line is the kitchen, and study, so not the boiler.

What would you look for next? Do we find the cables to check for rat bites? (or would this make it trip instantly? Not worth doing?)

Could it be the box / commercial unit?

We called out an electrician once and he disconnected the outside light that was on that line too, but still tripping, and we cant really affort to get out another one.

If you could help me at all that would be hugely appreciated. My dad wants to pull up the floorboards and check the cables. So any advice if this is a good idea or not, or what you would do. Any help would be great really.

 

[buzzlightyear]

welcome ,in order to find the fault and narrow it down ,it would be advisable to get a spark in and test the circuit .

 

[Baddegg]

Are you positive everything is unplugged?

 

[buzzlightyear]

We called out an electrician once and he disconnected the outside light that was on that line too, but still tripping, and we cant really affort to get out another one.

some times its very hard to pin point where that fault lies .

 

[Top Cat]

You say you have unplugged everything but i would re-check. Turning off the switch on the socket will not do it, it has to be physically unplugged. Also make sure that appliances like washing machine, freezer, tumble dryer etc are unplugged. It sounds like a neutral fault to me.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - sorry to hear your first Electrician didn't fix the fault. I'm thinking you may still have an appliance connected to the circuit as per @Top Cat . Look for any sneaky fused outlets. Has there been any holes drilled in the wall lately?

 

[buzzlightyear]

op where abouts are you in wales ,on dont say in a field .

 

[Myady1]

Hi, Thanks for replies.

Yes we did get a sparkie. he said it was on the nutral side, not the live side. Not sure what that means really. And he unplugged the outside light leaving just all the stuff plugged in in the kitchen and study and 1 bedroom on the line which we then turned off. I didnt know that about having to actually unplug them so thats really handy. Ill unplugg everything again and see.

We have had some leaks in the bathroom recently which I thought had been fixed. So if it still trips after I unplug everthing from the socket, does that mean it must be some sort of water in the walls. What does it mean that its neutral? does that mean its an applience? Or could it possibly be water damage still? The fact that it trips after 1 - 2 hours, makes me worry that its water damage which would be very expensive to fix I guess.
Also Im in south wales, near carmarthen. Thanks again

 

[Pete999]

Welcome, What is it that is tripping, RCD, or MCB? Whatever your House sounds like it needs testing by a competent Electrician, did the Electrician carry out any tests, or was it a hit and miss sort of job?

 

[Top Cat]

Do you have a garage or garden shed wired off this circuit?
As far as getting floorboards up to check for rodent damage, that would be an absolute last resort! With fault finding you start with the easiest and work up to the hardest. (If you hear hoof beats don't look for zebras!)

 

[Baddegg]

Any idea how old your electrical installation is?
and as @Pete999 says what is actually “tripping”? Post some pics up........but bare in mind it’s nearly Friday evening

 

[buzzlightyear]

.but bare in mind it’s neatly Friday evening

beer oclock for some people ,and wine for the gentry people ,what what .

 

[Myady1]

It's the gray one in the middle that's tripping only. 1991 electrics were done. And the electirican didn't do a full check, we thought it was the outside light at that point.

 

[Myady1]

 

[Midwest]

I get this every time I iron a shirt. Its me best excuse not to iron one.