Low Insulation resistance readings when connecting final socket on ring?

[Justintime]

Hello All wondering if anyone could shed some light on a problem i have with my IR readings.

I recently rewired a house.. took care pulling cables in etc . finished 1st fix, checked cables by looping ring main in connector blocks and doing continuity and IR test . continuity was ok, IR read >999. everything fine.

Few weeks later came back..

2nd fixed , mounted board , terminated , sockets on tested circuits , all tests were fine apart from my IR readings on the ring mains>?? readings between N/E conductors was around the 1.6Mohms. and L/N around 2.3mohms

Investigated, Disconnected main earth & neutral . split the ring in half, took socket off to see which side the problem was on and both halves were reading >999 on both legs & all conductors?? i thought that socket was the problem so i tested by replacing with connector blocks but once loop was complete the readings dropped right down again??

the sockets are hager.. so not too cheap i cant understand why this is happening, can anyone help

 

[Justintime]

Have you tested the sockets themselves? Has it been recently plastered? If all the conductors are testing out ok then its a good bet that the sockets themselves are damp. I'd test them to see and if the IR is low then as you said let them dry out and test again. This way you can rule out a faulty batch of sockets, which is unlikely but possible.

Yes was recently platered around a month ago tho, I've meggered sockets That's fine Knowing the circuit is compliment in connector blocks is good enough for me. They can crack on getting the floor down

Thanks

 

[Justintime]

Box of sockets left outside in the rain before second fix?

lol ive taken them all off and there now on top of my boiler!!