Some of my plug sockets remain active when turning off electrics.

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

Hi
I've bought a new face plate for the plug socket in the bedroom. I went to install it so i turned the electrics off and all the lights go off fine but the plug sockets in the bedrooms upstairs and the living room at the front of the house remain active. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is? Our electrics are rather old but surely they should still turn off?
Thanks in advance.

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

What exactly did you switch OFF? Tom

Jamie' · Oct 30, 2017

If you are sure you have turned of everything then could be a Line-Neutral reverse. Best to get a electricatian out and have a look.

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

Jamie' said:
If you are sure you have turned of everything then could be a Line-Neutral reverse. Best to get a electricatian out and have a look.

That would only apply if he had isolated at the CB

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

Thanks for replying. I turned off the two switches circled in the attached image.

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

Tom Cossey said:
Thanks for replying. I turned off the two switches circled in the attached image.

Right thanks, what exactly made you think that the sockets were still active your words not mine?
Did you carry out the safe isolation procedure?

ipf · Oct 30, 2017

Where are those other tails from the meter going???????
......I wonder.

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

ipf said:
Where are those other tails from the meter going???????
......I wonder.

Good spot Mate.

Octopus · Oct 30, 2017

My guess is that there is a 2nd fuseboard ...... with more fuses or breakers....

You are wise to question what you appear to have noticed!

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

No i didn't carry out this test but everything that was plugged into the bedroom socket was still lit up and turned on ?

Hi IPF i have just looked and the tails go up into a black box that isn't very easy to get to or see but it appears to be another switch that i didn't know was there. I imagine this must be the switch to the remaining active sockets? which i imagine is the answer to my problem, i'll try this in the morning to see if i get any luck.

Octopus · Oct 30, 2017

^^ good response, thanks

Could you post a picture of what you can see?

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

Now that i've climbed up there and had a proper look it's definitely another switch. Here's an image Murdoch. (image is sideways)

PEG · Oct 30, 2017

Hi bud,i would be very careful with an old,possibly frangible switch,such as that,bearing in mind the lack of ready isolation possible.

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

Hi PEG, thanks for the concern. I think i'll give my mate a call tomorrow who's an actual electrician see if he'll come round and take a look. Better to be on the safe side. Thanks everyone for your help.

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

Tom Cossey said:
Now that i've climbed up there and had a proper look it's definitely another switch. Here's an image Murdoch. (image is sideways)

Naughty

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

Hi Pete. Naughty ?

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

Tom Cossey said:
Hi Pete. Naughty ?

Tom What I meant was it was a bad choice of positioning for that isolater, not you being naughty

Tom Cossey · Oct 30, 2017

Ah i get you, when Ipf pointed it out i thought it was in a strange place.

Pete999 · Oct 30, 2017

Tom Cossey said:
Ah i get you, when Ipf pointed it out i thought it was in a strange place.

Yes a very odd place indeed, could catch out many a sparks

westward10 · Oct 30, 2017

That is a rather old consumer unit and you are correct to get an electrician on board.

Toneyz · Oct 30, 2017

Pete999 said:
Yes a very odd place indeed, could catch out many a sparks

At least the OP is taking your advice and knows his limitations and getting a electrician in to have a look but an update may be required.

Octopus · Oct 30, 2017

Pete999 said:
Yes a very odd place indeed, could catch out many a sparks

Err how?

Don't they practice safe isolation?

ipf · Oct 31, 2017

Earth system needs looking at, definitely. No evidence of TN, unless there's an TNS main term somewhere out of sight, which I would doubt.
I know there's an earth wire at the remote db, probably that going behind the mounting board but where is it from, the Wylex? If so, that supply is pretty new and I've a feeling it may be TT and if that's the case....well....an old voltage operated ELCB for one board and sfa for the remote one.
If I'm correct, what sort of qualification or experience did that supply installer have?
Tom......get your qualified mate to bring his test gear and have a good look.

Tom Cossey · Oct 31, 2017

Hi ipf, i honestly couldn’t tell you. The electrics were this way before we moved in and that was 8 years ago!

Pete999 · Oct 31, 2017

Murdoch said:
Err how?

Don't they practice safe isolation?

Didn't read the bit about the pic is on it's side it looked like it was up in the ceiling

elsparko · Nov 1, 2017

Pete999 said:
Right thanks, what exactly made you think that the sockets were still active your words not mine?
Did you carry out the safe isolation procedure?

safe isolation?
1. stand in bucket of water, metal bucket is best.
2. complete circuit with body
3. locate isolation of circuit if still live
4. repeat step 2 and 3 till circuit proved dead

Toneyz · Nov 1, 2017

elsparko said:
safe isolation?
1. stand in bucket of water, metal bucket is best.
2. complete circuit with body
3. locate isolation of circuit if still live
4. repeat step 2 and 3 till circuit proved dead

We hope that the O.P. is wise enough not to take your advice on this occasion.

brianmoooore · Nov 5, 2017

Once the qualified mate has had look at this, I fear his recommendations may result ultimately in a nice big bill!
That hidden rewire able switch fuse is truly ancient, as is most likely, the wiring attached to it.
Turning to the Wylex board, that's obviously been well messed, around in its time. The letters written above the fuses refer to red (30A), blue (15A) and white (5A) fuses, which is not the order the fuses are in now, and the small piece of metal missing from the cover, directly under the 5A MCB is 'interesting'. Possibly the result of someone levering out a live fuse with a metal screwdriver. I bet they didn't do it again.
Both MCBs have probably been fitted to make restoring power quicker and easier following frequent tripping of the two circuits, either because of overload or short circuit.
"Can of worms" comes to mind, and the tin opener is at the ready.

driverman · Nov 8, 2017

Possibly old storage heaters points yrs ago, now converted to skts by putting tails into meter.

elsparko · Nov 28, 2017

havent read any replies other than the OP, are you sure its not old storage heaters that have been turned into sockets? if so those sockets will only work at off peak times