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Discuss Please help! in the Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations area at ElectriciansForums.net

Thanks to everyone who has been very helpful to me here and ...... to everyone who has no interest in helping me out!
 
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Well if the fault is affecting the whole circuit, then it must be at, or before the first lighting fitting!! Anything after the first light fitting wont be affecting those points behind it!!

I have to say, going to a job, especially a job involving a fault finding exercise without all the relevant test equipment is a pretty poor show!! And the customers paying you, for all your extra time!! To be honest i don't know how you can perform as an electrician without a IR tester. You obviously don't test anything after a job either!!
 
To be fair to the lad E54 he has stated it is for a family friend who is obviously understanding of the circumstances and not a "regular2 customer. Now if he was charging normal rates to joe public then yes your advice would be sound.
 
To be fair to the lad E54 he has stated it is for a family friend who is obviously understanding of the circumstances and not a "regular2 customer. Now if he was charging normal rates to joe public then yes your advice would be sound.
yes on reflection I agree we've all been there it just wasn't so public when I did such things as a learner. I wounder if hes given him self a belt yet then he will know what 230 v is
 
Well if the fault is affecting the whole circuit, then it must be at, or before the first lighting fitting!! Anything after the first light fitting wont be affecting those points behind it!!

I have to say, going to a job, especially a job involving a fault finding exercise without all the relevant test equipment is a pretty poor show!! And the customers paying you, for all your extra time!! To be honest i don't know how you can perform as an electrician without a IR tester. You obviously don't test anything after a job either!!

I know I know! I thought the job was going to be as simple as flicking the MCB back on or changing a bulb as it sounded that simple on the phone! I'm a labourer not an electrician, this is the third electrical job I've ever undertaken. I've got two kids to feed so can't say no to work, and feel confident enough to sort it. If anything, I will try everything I can without IR test and if it comes down to it I will purchase or at least borrow a meter to get the job done.

I know what your saying, but he's paid me and the problem seemed solved! I will look bad and potentially loose a future customer if I back out now, plus end up out of pocket.
 
Ok, well that was event-full and I nearly got banned :nono: but i'm off to bed (as previously and ever so kindly advised) but doubt i'll be getting much sleep! Thanks everyone, will let you know how I get on tomorrow!
 
I'm a labourer not an electrician, this is the third electrical job I've ever undertaken. I've got two kids to feed so can't say no to work

With the greatest respect to you, you would not be classed as "competent" to carry out electrical work, and to charge for it at all is quite an insult to those of us who have spent years training, gone into debt to buy our first test gear, pay for public liability etc, etc.
If something with your work did go wrong (heaven forbid), then you really wouldn't have a leg to stand on here, friend or no friend. Please, stop worrying about looking bad, and think about the customer. If you are out of your depth, have the courage to get some help from a professional electrician.
 
Ok, so I visited the job again yesterday morning. When I got there the lights were working again, then in mid conversation they went out again, and I noticed that he had new carpet fitted up the staircase, which was directly above the consumer unit, and right next to the first lighting point, as you walk up the stairs the light would turn on or off!!! So obviously a nail through the cable!
After carrying out a continuity test on the neutral when the lights were out of action, it proved my theory to be correct!

Line and CPC were in tact as far as the meter was concerned, but I am going to install a new feed 1.5 t+e from the CU to the first lighting point and make the old redundant.

Thanks for your help and your 'creative criticism' everyone!
 
With the greatest respect to you, you would not be classed as "competent" to carry out electrical work, and to charge for it at all is quite an insult to those of us who have spent years training, gone into debt to buy our first test gear, pay for public liability etc, etc.
If something with your work did go wrong (heaven forbid), then you really wouldn't have a leg to stand on here, friend or no friend. Please, stop worrying about looking bad, and think about the customer. If you are out of your depth, have the courage to get some help from a professional electrician.

I appreciate your feedback, but even a fully competent electrician can overlook a problem like this. I have been in contact with several professional electricians who are friends of mine and they weren't too sure what the problem was either.

I know I'm not legally allowed to do the job, but if the customer wanted a pro he would hire one. He knows I'm at college he knows if anything goes wrong its not covered but he trusts me as a human being and not a qualified competent person with a piece of paper. Even pros make mistakes, were all human at the end of the day.

As I've said already, I am at college full time studying electrical installation and I have recently applied for an apprenticeship. I have every intention to become qualified/competent, and I will also be getting myself into debt to pay for test equipment/tools/education!
 
but if the customer wanted a pro he would hire one.
This isn't a dig at you Skamuk but your customer is a fool, I appreciate he trusts you as a man but it doesn't distract from the fact. If something were to go wrong (hopefully not) then you as the last person to touch that part of the installation are responsible fir it's safe operation. Those blokes in wigs and funny dresses can ask some awkward questions mate.
 
Glad to hear you got it sorted skamuk. This will be one to remember. We've all been there, you have to get it done and that's what makes a good tradesman. I have great respect for the regulars on here they sure know their job's and thats what it is a job. You could gain all the electrical qual's under the sun but real "competence" comes from experience. If you were stood in court accused of manslaughter, handing over your qualification's saying its not my fault would be no defense at all.
 
Well done OP on finding the fault.

Yes it could have taken a while to find but you asked the right questions and found it to be something pretty simple.#


As others have said though just make sure you are covered of the brown stuff hits the fan, PLI isnt that expensive. Even if you do mess up in the future at least you will be able to cover the cost of anything that you may damage.
 

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