bang from the earth

[paul b b]

hello chaps,

went to have a look at a job, the guy was talking through things when he said the decorator had a bang from the earth in his bedroom (pull cord)

i did not have my tester on me so going back to have a look.

what is the best way of testing this?

the cu is a 12way protected by 1 rcd as the main switch, though i'm sure its not a tt as is the house in on the main road, i was short of time so did not have a chance for a good look with cover off etc.

i have not done much fault finding so any advice greatfully recived.

many thanks

paul

 

[Zeespark]

Continuity and then IR of the circuit under suspicion Paul.

AndyGuinness

 

[Manator]

There is no way of knowing the fault from a descriptive Earth bang. Any bang would suggest contact between conductors. Isolate the supply and check the light pull switch for any loose connections, or damaged sleeving, tight bends. Check continuity and insulation on this circuit, use the wander lead method from light to light, much faster than temp connections at the Cu for this type of fault.

 

[paul b b]

thanks andy,

so wander lead the circuit end to end and then IR test it.

how do i see if the earth is live (with out touching it?) and why would it not trip the rcd?

 

[paul b b]

can you IR test with croc clips?

 

[Manator]

can you IR test with croc clips?

Yes

 

[Zeespark]

Yes from the CU is best.

AndyGuinness

 

[Andy™]

can you IR test with croc clips?

yes. you will find IR with fingers holding probes can be painful, and give false readings

 

[Evans Electric]

The OP sounds like the decorator was messing with the pull switch,did he poke his scraper in it or is the earth wire "live"

 

[Manator]

The wander lead method for testing is if you find no fault at the pull switch, because the switch was activated does not imply that the fault is directly to that switch it could be along the circuit.Testing from light to light is faster than hit and miss links.

 

[paul b b]

thanks chaps