Conservatory electricity

[Gllenn]

Okay, so last week the electricity in our conservatory completely cut off, lights, sockets etc. The conservatory operates on a seperate circuit to the rest of the house, its leads to a 13amp plug which is plugged in in the kitchen.

I changed the fuse, and it worked for a couple of hours and shorted out again, i then proceeded to change the entire plug and fuse, it worked again, for about a day and then completely shorted out again.

I have changed the fuse/plug since then, and it hasnt worked at all. We have checked all the sockets in the conservatory and everything seems okay, so i am unsure of what else to do.
Any suggestions?

Thankyou in advance

 

[endecotp]

Was this system involving the plug powering the conservatory installed while you lived there, or did you inherit it from a previous owner?

It sounds like a horrible bodge. It suggests that there could be other horrible bodges, perhaps resulting in the current problems.

What exactly is powered in the conservatory?

 

[securespark]

Could be that you have a JB buried in the ground that is shorting out?

Or a light fitting or socket full of water?

Try isolating the circuit and split the circuit down by disconnecting all wires at the sockets and switched spurs, putting terminal blocks on the end of each. Then power back up and see if the fuse holds. If it does, go round and check with a multimeter if you have power on any of the cables.

 

[Gllenn]

It was installed when we had the conservatory built... about 10 years ago, and we have never had this problem before.

all that is being powered in the conservatory is the light switches and a fridge

 

[ericmark]

Before Part P it was common to take a feed from a socket either with plug or FCU into a conservatory. Often rather Heath Robinson and often the cable went through items which move with heat or wind. Not by much but enough to damage the cable. Also there was often no thought given to volt drop and running a fridge which can be damaged by too much volt drop may not be the best option.

When inspecting you have to try and guess where the cable runs. Then try and get access to it where it may be damaged. Often easier to abandon it and start again.