Untraceable/unknown circuits

[marcusone]

If I can't trace a circuit within a reasonable time I explain to client that I can continue hunting it down at x pounds per hour or leave it disconnected until they find something not working. They always opt for disconnection as the cheaper practical option. Best endeavours gentlemen.

 

[baldelectrician]

Had one today

Found 2 circuits out of 11 redundant, spent a good 45 mins checking all stuff was working (inc client moving wardrobes to get into little used sockets etc).

In the end all circuits worked and tested OK, the 2 redundant ones were disconnected and terminated inside the consumer unit incase something turned up.

In the end the client was happy- the CU was changed 8 years ago and these 2 circuits were reconnected without testing

 

[oldtimer]

Had one today

Found 2 circuits out of 11 redundant, spent a good 45 mins checking all stuff was working (inc client moving wardrobes to get into little used sockets etc).

In the end all circuits worked and tested OK, the 2 redundant ones were disconnected and terminated inside the consumer unit incase something turned up.

In the end the client was happy- the CU was changed 8 years ago and these 2 circuits were reconnected without testing

Had the exact same and did the exact same terminated cables into connector strip labelled them job done even highlighted it on the EIC plus I could sleep at night know I did no harm and if the customer phones me in 3 months time and say I knocked those built in wardrobes down and found a twin socket behind them then its a 5 minute job to connect it up but I would not like the H&S people knocking on my door to say my customer died knocking his built in wardrobes down as he touched a cable that he found coiled up behind them.

I have said this before on this forum so I will repeat myself again and will take the flack I find this type of post as a no brainer but the fact the OP has left them connected makes me wonder what type of people we are producing so the lesson is here if you cannot confirm then leave it disconnected I wont mention common sense because there does not appear to be any kicking around on this forum

 

[amlu]

had 2 6mm cables on last CU upgrade. one for cooker, yeah no problem, another one showing 30ohms insulation resistance.
after couple hours of bashing floors found it feeding a socket on another side of property, then 1.5 cable spurred of it into a junction box, for boiler and fridge supply. sic!

 

[PEG]

Surely an unidentified circuit reconnected to a new CU is crying out for one of those new stickers the CU manufacturers send out with every new CU? You know,the one with the big question-mark on it :tt1:

 

[moose]

LMAO and you have to follow the manufacturers by the BGB so one for the ? and oooops its not my fault that wall was live it was the manufacturer, Not sure it will hold any ground in the courts, but have you all noticed these cables are always clear nothing connected and its always there.....

 

[thekingiam]

can't believe you have connected what sounds like a disconnected circuit!
go back please and disconect it, if everything still works leave it disconnected.

 

[Brendan976]

Borrow a tone generator,disconnect from consumer unit, connect generator to the now disconnected ends, turn on to constant tone, now trace where the cables go the louder the tone means the closer you are.
Ben

 

[PEG]

Borrow a tone generator,disconnect from consumer unit, connect generator to the now disconnected ends, turn on to constant tone, now trace where the cables go the louder the tone means the closer you are.
Ben

That's the spirit,Ben,proper use of correct gear but it appears the suggestions of oiling the bolt have arrived a while after the horse left...

 

[Brendan976]

You never know it may help someone else who comes across a similar situation in the future. Or the original op gets a repeat bit of work at the same premises.

Ben

 

[oldtimer]

You never know it may help someone else who comes across a similar situation in the future. Or the original op gets a repeat bit of work at the same premises.

Ben

Brendon sorry to say that aint going to happen as there is repeat posts on the forum and in my opinion its because the OP is to lazy to do a search "Earth Bonding" is a prime example