Downstairs Lights Keep Tripping, Sparking sound at Coms Unit

[mastersc]

I have just had my kitchen refitted and during this had 6 downlights added. Ever since the new wiring went in, my downstairs lights have flickered(the new kitchen ones and the hall, living room and front room) and trip the consumer unit fuse. Its trips randomly, doesn't have to be a switch on r off of the lights. I went to reset the trip switch on the consumer unit and when I did I could hear like a sparking/cracking noise. I tripped the switch and it went away, so its certainly coming from the downstairs lighting unit. Something loose somewhere? The sparky get me a full certificate for the works and he'll be getting a call in the morning but asking here for advice so I don't get my pants pull down by him. Cheers.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Possibly the wiring (at the top of the MCB) is not connected properly.
Could be a faulty MCB (less likely)

More likely the busbar (at the bottom of the MCB) is not seated, or not screwed properly onto the MCB. It is quite easy to miss the connection. Tests do not show this up, but a few weeks on load will find it out.

Its dangerous to put your fingers in that area as it is full of lethal voltages. A decent electrician should be able to find it in a few minutes.

 

[mastersc]

Thanks for the reply,

you were spot on, the connection to the busbar wasn't quite made. All good now. Thanks for the heads up, sparky went straight to it so fair play all round.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

One wonders what testing he did originally....

 

[Johnmelad]

One wonders what testing he did originally....

TTC

It is quite easy to miss the connection. Tests do not show this up, but a few weeks on load will find it out.

 

[Taylortwocities]