Insulation resistance problem

[Englishman]

I think you need to understand the limitations of the course you went on, and how little you actually know. And it's not even competence "to the extent of an experienced electrician" because you're probably less competent than a first year apprentice.

You will learn a lot on here and get plenty of advice unless you keep getting shirty.

 

[sparky1508]

USB sockets?

Nope none of those either. There is four sockets in one of the bedrooms that are on a spur with a SFCU and I was thinking maybe whoever put that there might have spurred off the downstairs ring. Will have to check that out for sure.

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[Leesparkykent]

Nope none of those either. There is four sockets in one of the bedrooms that are on a spur with a SFCU and I was thinking maybe whoever put that there might have spurred off the downstairs ring. Will have to check that out for sure.

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As ever with fault finding approach it logically. If you don't you will find you end up chasing your tail...Davesparks has given you some good advice. Let us know what you find

 

[sparky1508]

I think you need to understand the limitations of the course you went on, and how little you actually know. And it's not even competence "to the extent of an experienced electrician" because you're probably less competent than a first year apprentice.

You will learn a lot on here and get plenty of advice unless you keep getting shirty.

The whole reason I joined this forum was because I read a lot of posts and everyone seemed to be really helpful apart from a couple. So though I would join in. I've even joined in a couple of discussions here and there but the moment I ask a question I'm being called incompetent. All I want is advice not abuse and I've not once been shirty.

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[Englishman]

As ever with fault finding approach it logically. If you don't you will find you end up chasing your tail...Davesparks has given you some god advice. Let us know what you find

You have to have that methodical way of thinking when it comes to fault finding. And remember to check the easiest thing first!

 

[Videodoctor]

Firstly,ignore all the snide comments.You get a lot of it on here and its uncalled for.
Some people on here make out that you can only ask questions on here if you have years of experience and a shed load of qualifications. My opinion is that if you have to ask a question its because you don't know the answer and you have come here to pick everyone's brains.
Anyway onto your question.It does sound like something is still plugged in.An outside pond? Outside lights off a spur?
A surge protector adaptor can give very weird results.Also if you still have an rcd in circuit then it can affect the readings.ie spur off the house sockets but ending in an rcd in the garage.
Have you isolated the boiler?

Failing all this it sounds like you might have water under the floor and a joint box is sat in it or damp behind one of the sockets.Look for damp walls where there is a socket and take it off to look behind.As the good advice from previous posters,you need to split the ring and go from there. Good luck and come back to let us know if you find it.

 

[sparky1508]

Firstly,ignore all the snide comments.You get a lot of it on here and its uncalled for.
Some people on here make out that you can only ask questions on here if you have years of experience and a shed load of qualifications. My opinion is that if you have to ask a question its because you don't know the answer and you have come here to pick everyone's brains.
Anyway onto your question.It does sound like something is still plugged in.An outside pond? Outside lights off a spur?
A surge protector adaptor can give very weird results.Also if you still have an rcd in circuit then it can affect the readings.ie spur off the house sockets but ending in an rcd in the garage.
Have you isolated the boiler?

Failing all this it sounds like you might have water under the floor and a joint box is sat in it or damp behind one of the sockets.Look for damp walls where there is a socket and take it off to look behind.As the good advice from previous posters,you need to split the ring and go from there. Good luck and come back to let us know if you find it.

Thanks, I ended up doing the test with the conductors removed apart from the CPC. Will be back with more test results.
Thanks


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[davesparks]

Also are you saying that if CPC touched either neutral or line conductor it wouldn't create an imbalance between L and N therefore tripping the RCD. Also if L touched N that wouldn't cause a dead short therefore tripping the protective device. If I am wrong about these then clearly I don't have a clue. Just because I am uncertain of why I am getting low readings from an IR test you say I am incompetent.

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I am not saying that those situations wouldn't cause a fault, i am saying that the test results you have do not indicate that type of fault.

You have made no mention of a dead short in your posts, the lowest resistance I think you have quoted is 0.01M ohms, which is 10,000 ohms, simple maths will tell you that this is will not trip an RCD. A dead short would be in the region of zero ohms.

Nobody knows why they have a low IR reading until they have found the reason, my issue is that you don't understand what the test result actually means in real world terms.

 

[davesparks]

The whole reason I joined this forum was because I read a lot of posts and everyone seemed to be really helpful apart from a couple. So though I would join in. I've even joined in a couple of discussions here and there but the moment I ask a question I'm being called incompetent. All I want is advice not abuse and I've not once been shirty.

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If you ask a question which betrays a significant lack of knowledge or understanding then you have to expect to take some flak.
If you were on site with an electrician, bearing in mind you are claiming to be in the same trade, you would receive a heck of a lot worse a reaction.

 

[sparky1508]

If you ask a question which betrays a significant lack of knowledge or understanding then you have to expect to take some flak.
If you were on site with an electrician, bearing in mind you are claiming to be in the same trade, you would receive a heck of a lot worse a reaction.

If I were on site and said electrician knew I was fresh off the farm then I'm sure any half decent human being would understand that my knowledge isn't up to the same standard as someone who's been in the trade for some time. All this because I said I checked all sockets when clearly that wasn't the thing to do.

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[davesparks]

No not a trainee but just qualified and I expect you probably have low opinions of middle aged blokes doing fast track courses to try and change their life to be able to provide for their family but I personally don't worry about what people think of me. I paid good money to be taught something that I hope to get much better at. It's also my house that I'm testing so not wasting any ones time or Money. I may make some wrong decisions but isn't that why this forum is here? To help people like myself understand where we go wrong so we don't do it again. I totally understand if none of you want to help but just trying to learn more.
Thanks anyway

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I have an opinion about anyone doing a fast track course in this trade regardless of age or gender, there are plenty of other jobs out there which you could earn a fair wage at without placing your own life, and the lives of others at risk.

I have actually worked with three very different people who have all done fast track course and they were all making simple mistakes which could easily have cost them their lives, not through any fault of their own but a lack of proper education and a lack of understanding of some fundamental concepts. They had all paid good money to be taught something, and then only got taught a fraction of what they need to know.
Two of those people took the arrogant attitude of being qualified domestic installers and refused to accept help. The third realised her limitations and we worked together for 18 months and we still work together occasionally.

Never forget that electricity kills within a fraction of a second, and it's pretty damned hard to provide for your family from the afterlife.

Personally I have been knocked unconscious by a shock, and only survived thanks to an RCD operating. An apprentice died from a shock at the company where I served my apprenticeship, I don't think the two painters who were in the room below when his body came through the ceiling from the loft have ever really got over it.


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[sparky1508]

That's fair enough and I understand your point but you don't know me or my capabilities. If anyone has done any course and passed then they are qualified regardless of your opinion. I personally think I am quite capable that's why I have taken this route and believe me I know electricity kills. I have been taught enough to get by and hopefully in time I will learn more as all I want is to be the best I can be.

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[Octopus]

With readings like that I would be looking for a rcd socket or spur!

 

[Videodoctor]

I have been a qualified electrician for 30 years but hold back from posting on here because of the attitude of some of the members on here.Instead of trying to answer the person's questions,they harp on about not being qualified,electricity kills etc. Just because some people haven't the many years of experience doesn't give the members on here to ridicule first time posters asking simple questions.I would like to think that we are here to help and educate.Fault finding is one of the hardest things to master and 'yes' ,it take years of experience but we all had to start somewhere so give the guy a break and try and offer things he can try to find his fault.Rant over:furious3:

 

[davesparks]

That's fair enough and I understand your point but you don't know me or my capabilities. If anyone has done any course and passed then they are qualified regardless of your opinion. I personally think I am quite capable that's why I have taken this route and believe me I know electricity kills. I have been taught enough to get by and hopefully in time I will learn more as all I want is to be the best I can be.

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Well you are welcome to come out on a job with me and prove me wrong,