Today's mess!

[New Venture!]

Called out to a job, RCD continually tripping. Traced to downstairs socket ring. Test, around 1000 ohms between live/earth. Start tracing. Sockets wired in 1mm T&E, no earth sleeving, six cables shoved into back of one socket...............

I advised customer that at least a partial rewire needed, but I would see if I could at least make the kitchen sockets safe to use short term. After rerouting and disconnecting achieved a safe radial with good test results. Reconnect, prove all fine. Just about to leave to prepare quote for rewire. Click from consumer unit. RCD tripped. Test again, this time N/E short on upstairs ring.

Why didn't I just walk away at "rewire required" point???

 

[Sharpend]

Some people say that he's just vying for time and looks at wrong circuit first? We just know he knows his way round a circuit.  

 

[New Venture!]

Sharpend, methinks the customer was thinking along similar lines.........