ScooBStu

I have noticed that if you take a socket front off and disconnect the earths from each other and run a continuity test between these there is no continuity.

I have checked every socket for a break in earths, between the incoming and outgoing but there is none, however I have not checked within the consumer unit - I know it needs to be checked, but to be safe the incoming fuse needs to be removed which I am not going to do!!!

I have also checked every socket against the earth in the light fittings and they are all earthed, however there is obviously a break somewhere.

I would appreciate some help in the easiest and most undisruptive way to find the fault.

Chip Sengravy

If you are picking up earth from the sockets to light fittings, then surely one side of the earth ring is complete?
given that EVERY socket is giving an earth to a light, this would say to me that the break in earth is between the consumer unit, and the first sockets on the outgoing ringmain.....


or how about you take a fresh piece of cable to a known earth.....say a bonding clamp on a pipe for instance....just trail it through the house as an extended test lead.

then go to each socket, and test continuity between this new 'earth' cable and the earths in the socket...somewhere along the way, something won't beep..

ScooBStu

All the sockets are earthed but somewhere the ring is broken. I am presuming that now, although the sockets are earthed there actual earth is basically on two radial circuits (to the break point) and should another break occur in the future there will be a number of sockets which wont be earthed (between the two points).

Maybe the break is in the consumer unit as it has not been checked.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers.

Chip Sengravy

correct....when I say "between the consumer unit and the first sockets", I also meant at the consumer unit.


is the ring at fault up or downstairs?

If upstairs, there may be a chance something has gone through a cable as they make thier way upstairs in a wall?

Chip Sengravy

PS....also check fused spurs

They are not always..spurs

Chip Sengravy

Did you sort this?

I've not slept for a week

john_s

iTrader: (1)

If it were mine, I'd turn the incoming breaker off and have a look in the consumer unit. Just be careful you don't poke anything exposed around the incoming connection.

John.