Socket shows LN Reverse on socket tester

[lknights1987]

Hi all,

I have recently moved into a flat. One the single sockets shows LN reverse on the socket tester that I bought today Why could this be ?

I have checked the earth connection which is all good.

 

[telectrix]

so check that red (or brown) is in the L terminal and the black (or blue) is in N. isolate circuit bfore opening.

 

[westward10]

Have you tried any other sockets.

 

[Richard Burns]

Because you appear to be getting a reading before the socket switch is on this would indicate that the switch is not switching the line but instead is switching the neutral, which would be consistent with telectrix's statement above.
A simple, but potentially dangerous, wiring error.

 

[lknights1987]

Thanks for your replies to my comment. I think I have found the problem! One of the double sockets in the living room the earth cable had fallen out.

I’ve attached a photo. Why would the earth cable go into a connector in the block and then into the back of the socket connector? Can I run the earth cable straight into the socket ?

 

[fairlight]

It looks like one earth is connected to the socket and the other to the earthing terminal in the backbox. while this is not correct practice,when the socket is screwed back both earths will be joined, so I would doubt this is your issue. From your original post it would appear that the L and N are simply in the wrong terminals in the socket, have you checked that?

 

[lknights1987]

In all living room sockets the earth cable was out. I’ve put the earths back in but I’m getting the following voltage readings on one of the double sockets

between live and neutral 243volts

live and earth 141volts

neutral and earth 103 volts

all cables are in the correct connection slots on all sockets

 

[westward10]

Looks like it has no earth.

 

[DPG]

I think you would be wise to get an electrician to give things a check over. Do you own the flat or rent it?

 

[multimick]

seen it before with these testers ,usually is an earth fault . not reverse polarity

 

[James]

seen it before with these testers ,usually is an earth fault . not reverse polarity

Yes, when you think about it, the simple tester probably reports a voltage above say 50v between N + E as wrong polarity.

 

[static zap]

Yes, when you think about it, the simple tester probably reports a voltage above say 50v between N + E as wrong polarity.

These simple testers may even put a "test" voltage above 50V on to a floating earth !

.. Proper MFT does test quickly and moves on ..
Or complains and moves no further !​