Neutral & live reverse polarity

[Laura Spicer]

I’m not an electrician so apologies if my terminology is off, but I’m looking for some help. 3 months ago we had solar panels installed and we had our electricity company out today to install a smartmeter. The first thing they did was check the electrics were ok before they started and they found out neutral and live connections had been switched between the fuse box & fit meter. They checked a lot of sockets throughout the house and they were all affected. Both he EDF guys and the solar guy who came to fix it were pretty horrified, but I’d like to know what the actual dangers were before we lodge a complaint with the solar panel company. We have 2 young children, 16 months and 3 when it was installed. If I understand correctly all the sockets were live despite being switched off and we could have had electric shocks off any of the appliances in the house. My husband was planning on sinking a socket this weekend, what would have happened if we hadn’t found out and the socket was still live when he did this? Is there more? It seems to be so rare that google isn’t giving me much, but the reactions we had from professionals were pretty worrying. Thank you for any information.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

In general everyday use as has already been stated there would be minimal risk from a reversed polarity, but serious risk if alterations were to take place to the installation.
Firstly I think the OP should contact the installer and see what they have to say and ascertain whether the correct certificates were supplied. The company should also be asked to pay for an independent check of the installation for your peace of mind.
Mistakes do happen with even the most professional companies, it's rare but sometimes circumstances intervene and things get missed that should be picked up. Despite all the condemnation there's not one electrician on here who at some point has not made a mistake that could have had dire consequences, we work with a lethal mix in a pressured world.

 

[Dannyg8810]

Your husband would only be at risk if he didn’t carry out safe isolation before doing the work on the electrics!

But your talking what ifs you should be thankful nothing happened instead asking every possible what if

I agree with that they should foot the bill for a EICR and repairs there responsible for

 

[westward10]

Why assume the solar fitters did this, might have been like it for years although it should have been spotted by them.

 

[Dannyg8810]

Why assume the solar fitters did this, might have been like it for years although it should have been spotted by them.

I actually thought that’s swell

 

[shaun1]

Don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but reversing polarity also increases the risk of fire in the event of a fault as Neutral (now live) to earth faults would not be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker.

 

[telectrix]

Don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but reversing polarity also increases the risk of fire in the event of a fault as Neutral (now live) to earth faults would not be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker.

seen that. reverse done by DNO. immersion heater failed and caused house fire. big bill for DNO.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

The fact that reversed polarity defeats the protection given by fuses and MCBs is arguably more important than items being live when switched off, as the danger is always present and does not need poor working practice before it strikes. When the reversal is between the meter and the consumer unit, any circuits not covered by an RCD are only protected against a line-earth short-circuit by the DNO's fuse, since the MCB is now in the neutral. If there are socket-outlet circuits without RCD protection, which there can be on older installations, then appliances connected by 13A plugs are likewise unprotected by the plug fuse (which is also now in the neutral). In the event of an appliance fault or damaged flex, the arc-flash that a short-circuit would cause could be quite serious. I would not like to see an argument between a faulty handheld kitchen appliance and a 100A DNO fuse.

 

[richy3333]

Well I think you said it really, things still being live when you think you switched them off. The other main possibility is damaging equipment. It is one of the primary tests and it is unthinkable that it was left out by some one. This is gross negligence.
In Tort there are three hurdles to claiming damages. One, was there a duty of care? Absolutely-Two was the duty of care breached? clearly it was-And three did any harm result from it? No.
However had your Husband decided to sink a socket and was not competent electrically he may have been electrocuted. If he undertook work he was not competent to do then and harm resulted that would count as contributory negligence.
I think you have had a very lucky escape. Give thanks no harm resulted from this.

It would be more appropriate to plead breach of contract and far easier to show than tortuous liability. Higher duties of care and all that.

Presumably there is certification and that should show polarity was checked.

I’d also be reporting this to the solar installers scheme and trading standards for both to investigate.

 

[jackhammerJIM]

hmmmmm . Do you have any pictures you can upload . I'm struggling to see at which part of the circuit the polarity is reversed . The inverter wouldn't work connected reverse polarity .
Did you get any generation from the panels ?
Was the meter connected LNLN instead of LNNL ?

On a more lighthearted note i find the best way to sink a socket is to drop one into a tub of water (unconnected of course)

 

[static zap]

.........
Was the meter connected LNLN instead of LNNL ? .........

Is this where being concerned about of few mm of Red/Black Brown/Blue showing on tails gets us !