Power trip fault - cannot locate

[waddoups]

Hi,

I have a two way lighting circuit in my lounge with a switch located by the front door and another located by the stairs. This has been working fine for the past 10+ years but recently if I use the switch by the front door after about 10-15 minutes the main fuse for the house trips (not just the lighting circuit). Once it has tripped it continues to trip as soon as the light switch is turned on. If left for a number of hours it reverts to being fine for 10-15 minutes and then trips.

The other switch on the same circuit works fine!

I have investigated all (accessible) wiring and can find no fault, the delay in tripping leads me to assume that there must be some heat build up prior to the short occurring but without removing and replacing the whole loop I am totally baffled by the cause.

Any ideas / thoughts most welcome before I start tearing up the floorboards and incurring the wrath of Mrs W.

 

[mrloy99]

Hi,

I have a two way lighting circuit in my lounge with a switch located by the front door and another located by the stairs. This has been working fine for the past 10+ years but recently if I use the switch by the front door after about 10-15 minutes the main fuse for the house trips (not just the lighting circuit). Once it has tripped it continues to trip as soon as the light switch is turned on. If left for a number of hours it reverts to being fine for 10-15 minutes and then trips.

The other switch on the same circuit works fine!

I have investigated all (accessible) wiring and can find no fault, the delay in tripping leads me to assume that there must be some heat build up prior to the short occurring but without removing and replacing the whole loop I am totally baffled by the cause.

Any ideas / thoughts most welcome before I start tearing up the floorboards and incurring the wrath of Mrs W.

It might prove cheaper for you to get an electrician in as he should have the necessary tools to perform an insulation resistance test on the cables.Has ther been any ather work done in the house that could affect this problem?Even non electrical--eg,hanging a picture on wall-nail could have penetrated cable,or even new wood floor, skirting.The fault sounds like the insulation resistance has broken down on the cables linking the two switches,

 

[Strickers]

Have you got low voltage lighting or flouresant fittings?