Large Volt Drop in ring circuit

[Andy]

Hi Folks
This is my first post, but I've been reading many posts over the last few months and have found this forum very informative and some times very humorous, Thank you all.

I have recently come across a problem whilst doing some PAT testing for a customer that has left me confused. Although this is nothing to do with PAT testing it was my PAT testing meter that highlighted the problem when I plugged it into a socket.

The property is a 4 year old Timber barn and the loft has a small ring circuit with a spur off it feeding a socket below for a small telly.

My problem is that all of the sockets are only giving voltage readings of 60v but the reading for the circuit at the CU is the standard 240v
The only thing that I can think of is that when building the property someone has banged a nail through a cable somewhere.
I have been round all of the sockets and checked connections etc and found nothing obviously wrong.
When I mentioned it to the customer he said don't worry its probably been like it for ever and the sockets only supply low voltage stuff anyway.

Well I am concerned that its wrong and there is possibly a nightmare waiting to happen.
Im thinking of contacting the customer and trying to get him to let me rectify the problem
Is there anything else it could be?

I await your reply's with baited breath

 

[static zap]

Guys
I know 240 IS LOW VOLTAGE
Once the pat tester highlighted the problem i got out the MULTIMETER
60 volts L-E + L-N

That just leaves testing if N-E = 0 or 120V AC ?

 

[Andy]

Thanks for your help guys but as I'm 2 hours drive away from the customer I'll sort it out myself when I'm back there and delve deeper when I can.
Toooo many questions and not a lot of help / suggestions
I was worried that this would happen as I've seen lots of times on here
Feels like I was back at collage

 

[static zap]

( Customer may be , vague if he knows of some 240-120 convertor box ...
wired inappropriately )

IEC cables to USA plugs should have been clue ... GONE !

If its wired weird , confirm a known good earth ref .

60V sounds planned .

 

[DPG]

Thanks for your help guys but as I'm 2 hours drive away from the customer I'll sort it out myself when I'm back there and delve deeper when I can.
Toooo many questions and not a lot of help / suggestions
I was worried that this would happen as I've seen lots of times on here
Feels like I was back at collage

And you still expect more help?
The questions you have been asked are relevant and will help with diagnosing the problem.

 

[SparkyChick]

OP, unfortunately you're the one that's been to site and none of us (to my knowledge) are telepathic (although I am getting hints of beer and vino emanating from around Cheshire/Staffordshire and Northants for some reason) so it's natural we're going to ask questions to try and establish the fullest picture we can before dishing out advice, hence you see it happen a lot.

It's not meant to be a pop quiz, but your OP was a bit thin in terms of information especially regarding the measurements. 60v.... between where? (you've answered, stating between L-N and L-E), but when measured at the board (I'm assuming the neutral/earth bar and the MCB output terminal screwhead) you're getting 240v.

So if this was my problem, I'd be checking terminations and device connections in the CU. Especially as the issue appears to be affecting all sockets on the circuit... if it's a ring final circuit there is only one common place and that would be the CU, unless it's a lollipop, then there are two. If it's a radial, are the sockets the only thing on the circuit? If there is maybe a SFCU as the first connection, could be a loose connection in there which is having a knock on effect on the rest of them. But, as you can see, there are a lot of possibilities and so lots of questions.

Do you have other electrical test equipment (such as an earth fault loop impedance meter, low range continuity tester etc.) to test the circuit itself for other faults?

IEC cables to USA plugs should have been clue ... GONE !

Where did that come from?

 

[westward10]

I am in Northants, I hasten to add not born in Northants and no devils juice has passed by lips

 

[static zap]

Where did that come from?

Fault finding an install is clue based ,
If someone has an adhock 120V , departure from the norm , wired in UK Square
plugs , but located somewhere out of the way . They may play dumb ... Concealment . (was attempting to be kind )

This could be a weird 60v series daisy chain for all we know .

 

[Specialist]

I am in Northants, I hasten to add not born in Northants and no devils juice has passed by lips

I say old chap, think you missed the word YET out at the end of your post .

 

[Pete999]

I am in Northants, I hasten to add not born in Northants and no devils juice has passed by lips

I'm just about to have a sip or 6, like many I hate posts like this one, with very little information, with responses from lots of people only to be told, not much in the way of help was forth coming, as I get older (yes it was my birthday on Tuesday) I tend to get rather upset at some of the more, shall we say difficult posts to get any help from the poster, to that end I will not take part in any further discussion with regards to this post. Instead I will retire to the Drawing Room with her in doors, and continue to sip the red nectar.

 

[Specialist]

I'm just about to have a sip or 6, like many I hate posts like this one, with very little information, with responses from lots of people only to be told, not much in the way of help was forth coming, as I get older (yes it was my birthday on Tuesday) I tend to get rather upset at some of the more, shall we say difficult posts to get any help from the poster, to that end I will not take part in any further discussion with regards to this post.

A belated Happy Birthday Pete

 

[Pete999]

A belated Happy Birthday Pete

Well thank you Andy

 

[SparkyChick]

Well belated birthday greetings

I shall be indulging in a beer or two later as compensation for coming home absolutely filthy three days in a row this week, so I shall raise a bottle or tinny to you

 

[DPG]

Happy birthday!

 

[Specialist]

Your welcome buddy, enjoy your tipple. I'll have some later .

As for the thread, I'm not even going to bother responding. My crystal ball is in for repair & the OP's attitude stinks.
Off to pick the kids up, catch you later.

 

[Specialist]

Well belated birthday greetings

I shall be indulging in a beer or two later as compensation for coming home absolutely filthy three days in a row this week, so I shall raise a bottle or tinny to you

Anything nice SC ?