Ask the Question

biglad · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 Location: east mids

whilst removing a down stairs socket face, found securing screw having a voltage i.e test screwdriver handle lit. further investigation showed all the sockets downstairs having the same problem. ( checked upstairs ok). tried a digital meter on an earh lead to socket casing and it showed 30 volts. any ideas and is there a potential hazard because the circuit board trips havent tripped and all the appliances are still running.

vince knight · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 5:54 pm Post subject:

How old is the wiring, are all gas and water pipes earthed back to the main earth terminal at the meter position, are all earths connected in fuseboard, Does your fuseboard have an RCD covering the socket outlets. Is the 30v present at the main earth terminal at the meter position????

Sorry for so man questions, but it will help me answer your question

Vince Confused

biglad · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 4 Location: east mids

i've done some further testing and here is the information. when using an avo there seems to be no voltage present but the screwdriver will still illuminate when held against the back box of the socket. the resistance between the earth on my kitchen sink and the socket earth is 5 ohms, and the screwdriver will also illuminate when held on the earth!?

there is the same resistance between the upstairs socket earth and the kitchen sink earth but i don't get the illuminating screwdriver on the upstairs sockets.

Ive done some volts checks on the sockets and i get 240v between live and neutral, 100v between neutral and earth and 140v between live and earth, is that correct?

thanks for replying i hope you can help!!

vince knight · Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 7:37 am Post subject:

It sounds to me that some where along the ring main you have a broken earth, either not connected in a socket or else where. You should get 240v between phase(live) and earth, if not then there is something wrong with the return path. Check the continuity of the ring conductors as soon as possible aslo check for wrongly connected sockets(phase reversal etc)

Vince Confused