Need help/advice, insure of what the problem is and think I’m being ripped off

[Sam010201]

hi all,

Today I had an electrician come around a rental property of mine and swap the faces of a few double sockets and light switches, he done this and everything was fine the sockets worked and light switches worked fine, as he was finishing up he was changing the lightbulb as he unscrewed the bulb the electric tripped and now every time I switch the consumer unit on the RCD trips so no power is going to the onsumner unit it is all a very old system and needs upgrading but he seemed stumped and clues less as of what has happened and why this problem had emerged and the property is now left with no lights or sockets, ill attach some photos of the set up, but as I can describe it the mains power goes to a rcd then from the rcd to an very old consumer unit with wire fuse, power is going in and back out of the rcd and into the consumer unit but when the consumer unit is then switched on the rcd trips


In the picture the top white metal box of the consumer unit

The guy I had to do the work is now explaining to me that because the switches are new and pull more power it has caused the cable to heat up and I need a complete re-wire, I just feel that I’m being ripped off.

 

[telectrix]

way out of my area.

 

[Sam010201]

He pulled out the fuse for the lighting circuit and tried switching it on and the rcd kept tripping then done the same with the socket circuit and the same again then finally pulled out all fuses and tried switching it on and yet again the rcd tripped again, has anyone here maybe a fix for his as the electric needs to be on tomorrow for some plasterers, I have been trying to do research but have no luck

 

[Andy78]

He pulled out the fuse for the lighting circuit and tried switching it on and the rcd kept tripping then done the same with the socket circuit and the same again then finally pulled out all fuses and tried switching it on and yet again the rcd tripped again, has anyone here maybe a fix for his as the electric needs to be on tomorrow for some plasterers, I have been trying to do research but have no luck

RCDs trip when they sense an imbalance between the line and neutral conductors which are usually balanced. This imbalance is usually to earth.
If the RCD is still tripping with all fuses (line conductor) removed, this would suggest a fault between neutral and earth.
Look again at all the work done by the electrician today and the light fitting that appeared to cause the initial fault.

To catch a neutral with a faceplate screw is not uncommon when replacing accessories if not careful.

 

[Starjack]

Get shot of him and get a proper Electrician in, there could be a member local.

 

[Pete999]

Where did you find this "Electrician" down the Pub?

 

[ipf]

I'm not accusing anyone, so don't take it wrong, but to hear such rubbish from an 'qualified' electrician is a bit more unusual than to hear a load of bull from a landlord.
There seems to be an awful lot of knowing without understanding what exactly has gone on.

 

[Nebu1a]

Maybe he pinched a neutral with a faceplate screw.
Were the new sockets and switches flat plate?

 

[Nebu1a]

As others have said an Electrical Installation Condition Report would be recommended.
Looking at the cables I would imagine some are imperial (7/029) cables from the 1960s- ish. If that is the case you may find that the lighting circuit does not have a protective conductor (earth wire)

 

[Pete999]

As others have said an Electrical Installation Condition Report would be recommended.
Looking at the cables I would imagine some are imperial (7/029) cables from the 1960s- ish. If that is the case you may find that the lighting circuit does not have a protective conductor (earth wire)

Only one way to find out, EICR, and be done with it, don't fight it, better to know now than later.

 

[Sam010201]

He pulled out the fuse for the lighting circuit and tried switching it on and the rcd kept tripping then done the same with the socket circuit and the same again then finally pulled out all fuses and tried switching it on and yet again the rcd tripped again, has anyone here maybe a fix for his as the electric needs to be on tomorrow for some plasterers, I have been trying to do research but have no luck

 

[Pete999]

He pulled out the fuse for the lighting circuit and tried switching it on and the rcd kept tripping then done the same with the socket circuit and the same again then finally pulled out all fuses and tried switching it on and yet again the rcd tripped again, has anyone here maybe a fix for his as the electric needs to be on tomorrow for some plasterers, I have been trying to do research but have no luck

The snow is to blame Sam M4 corridor all messed up, sorry no help really, just trying to be a SA

 

[Sam010201]

RCDs trip when they sense an imbalance between the line and neutral conductors which are usually balanced. This imbalance is usually to earth.
If the RCD is still tripping with all fuses (line conductor) removed, this would suggest a fault between neutral and earth.
Look again at all the work done by the electrician today and the light fitting that appeared to cause the initial fault.

To catch a neutral with a faceplate screw is not uncommon when replacing accessories if not careful.

I have done so and all cables don’t seem to be damaged, very curious to what has actually happened, beginning to think he has done some purposely in order to get himself more work

 

[telectrix]

going by the OP's posts so far, the so called "electricutian" he's had is a w4nker.

 

[Sam010201]

going by the OP's posts so far, the so called "electricutian" he's had is a w4nker.

Agreed

 

[Nebu1a]

Maybe a complete coincidence that the RCD tripped whilst he was there but he should not have left leaving you with no power.

Are there any outside lights or garage supplies that water has gotten into. Have you tried unplugging all appliances, switching off the cooker switch, boiler spur and any other spurs. Then try to reset the RCD.