CotswoldDoItUpper Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 I have a plug socket that hasn’t worked since we moved in (6months or so) I assume it’s a dodgy socket so today replaced it. When testing the cables I notice that my electrical screwdriver has a strong light when touched to the live cable, but also a weak light when touched to the neutral and earth. I think this is why the socket isn’t working! No switches have tripped on our (admittedly 1990s) fuse board. any recommendations for a solution? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan F Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Whats the other red/black cable in the wall? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 56 minutes ago, CotswoldDoItUpper said: any recommendations for a solution? If you are not competent around electrics, call an electrician. A neon screwdriver, while useful, is NOT an approved electrical test instrument. the fact it glows dimly when touching the N or E suggests those are likely to be floating and not connected. Be VERY careful, although this socket is not working it looks like it is capable of giving you a nasty shock or killing you. The fact you have the other cable stuffed in the back box unconnected puts a lot of doubt into the integrity of the whole installation. What are your plans? Rewire? Just repair and patch up what is there? I suspect you are going to want an electrician on board for your project so you might as well find one now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 5 hours ago, ProDave said: the fact it glows dimly when touching the N or E suggests those are likely to be floating and not connected. Be VERY careful, although this socket is not working it looks like it is capable of giving you a nasty shock or killing you. +1 What's the other wire in the wall? On a ring you would expect to see two cables (two live, two neutral, two earths) going to the socket. But perhaps this is a spur and that other wire is something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 The other cable is a single socket about half a m away that is connected to this one. So yes @Temp those are the additional wires in the back box. The reason they are disconnected is just me trying to isolate the problem. I haven’t yet been killed in 15+ years of changing plug sockets/light switches but thank you, I shall continue to be careful and have turned the RCD back off after taking the pictures. I assumed it would be a job for an electrician, but thought it prudent to check with the vast knowledge on here before I spend hard earned £! Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 so it's a spur off a spur? Where is this one powered from then? No earth sleeving where you come from? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 17 minutes ago, dpmiller said: so it's a spur off a spur? Where is this one powered from then? No earth sleeving where you come from? It appears that way yes. I don’t think the guy who wired it in (I guess) the mid-late 80s had earthing sleeve no. No sign of it on any of the outlets anywhere in the house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 like I said before, the best thing you can do is get electrician to give it all a thorough test and inspection and advise what needs doing, taking into account your plans for the property and alterations you will need. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 2 hours ago, CotswoldDoItUpper said: haven’t yet been killed in 15+ years of changing plug sockets/light switches but thank you Past performance makes no statistical difference, it only has to go wrong once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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