Live neutral reverse

[riveralt]

but physical inspection shows the correct colours going to the correct terminals.

But if the colours are wrong then the conductors are not going to the correct terminals.

That is an odd statement - is the solution to the problem then to put the wrong colours in the correct terminal - or actually fix the problem in the first place.

 

[chippy5]

Do you think you are helping? This is someone who has realised there is an issue and has come here for assistance after doing some basic testing themselves.

Thanks well said phatboy
I am not a novice when it comes to electrics having been a carpenter for over 15 years you pick up knowledge
I know there's a fault
I know there's no problem with my testing equipment
And I know all visible terminals are wired correctly
The only way the polarity can be reverse is if there is another joint in the cable I can't get to!
All I wanted to know is how dangerous is the situation could I just leave it as existing or do I get involved rewiring
I'm not getting paid the whole job was a favour for the bloody in laws

 

[sparkwright]

but physical inspection shows the correct colours going to the correct terminals.

But if the colours are wrong then the conductors are not going to the correct terminals.

So either the Plug Tester is faulty or the reverse has taken place elsewhere on the circuit.

If the latter then it's not sired correctly, is it.

Plug tester is fine (tested it when I got home) all visible connection on the circuit (two sockets and the fuse board) are wired correctly.

Clearly they are not.

How do you mean?

On VISUAL inspection, all the correct colours are going to the correct terminals - but the polarity check indicates the polarity is reversed.

Immediate logical explanation is somewhere there is a joint of some sort where the wires have been connected incorrectly.

This seems unlikely in a way though, joining say a red and a black together, twice for that matter, does seem incredibly hard to do.

That said, I have seem people in the carpentry business do this...

 

[sparkwright]

I SWEAR to you that I wrote carpentry before I even read that last post!

!!

 

[chippy5]

I'll let you off
I have spent countless hours helping out sparks wiring houses
But fault finding is a pain in the arse especially when you don't know what has happened in the house before

 

[sparkwright]

Can you send pictures of the consumer unit and the sockets?

I know it's a pain, but sometimes something obvious isn't always apparent.

Also, does the cable run under floorboards?

Or can the cable be replaced fairly easily?

Pictures may just help.

 

[chippy5]

Sorry left the job now so no pictures
And yes the cable does run under the floor of the newly carpeted bedroom, landing and stairs

 

[EFLImpudence]

I know there's no problem with my testing equipment.

Ok. Then you have reversed polarity.

And I know all visible terminals are wired correctly.

Not if you have reversed polarity.

All I wanted to know is how dangerous is the situation could I just leave it as existing or do I get involved rewiring

You/someone must correct it.

It is not dangerous until there is a fault and then it depends where the actual wiring mistake is.
Depending where it is, the fuse may blow but the appliance remain live.

I'm not getting paid the whole job was a favour for the bloody in laws

That's one of the troubles with marriage.

 

[sparkwright]

A long shot, but such a problem could easily occur in a pyro installation, where coloured sleeves could easily be placed over the wrong wire.

Still, the op said house - pyro more common in a flat I suppose.

 

[sparkwright]

And I know all visible terminals are wired correctly.

Not if you have reversed polarity.

I don't get that. If all VISIBLE terminals are wired correctly, you CAN still have reversed polarity IF there are some NON-VISIBLE terminals not accounted for.

Can't you?

 

[chippy5]

Thanks to all
I'm going to kill the circuit and extend a ring I know to be safe to power the two problem sockets
I hope they like mini trunking

 

[ban-all-sheds]

That is an odd statement - is the solution to the problem then to put the wrong colours in the correct terminal - or actually fix the problem in the first place.

Right now, as a mater of urgency, if the root of the reverse cannot be found right now, then right now the solution is to put the "wrong colours" in terminals.

Right now, as a matter of urgency, it is better to have the correct polarity at the sockets than the "correct" colours in the terminals at the rear. Nobody will die from the colours being in the wrong terminals.

 

[sparkwright]

Thanks to all
I'm going to kill the circuit and extend a ring I know to be safe to power the two problem sockets
I hope they like mini trunking

It's usually very easy to lift a carpet, even if it is new.

Usually only the corners or a side needs lifting, and you should find a board that's been up before.

Any blank plates anywhere visible? It's not uncommon for storage heaters to have been moved over the years.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Not if you have reversed polarity.

I don't get that. If all VISIBLE terminals are wired correctly, you CAN still have reversed polarity IF there are some NON-VISIBLE terminals not accounted for.
Can't you?

Right now, as a mater of urgency, if the root of the reverse cannot be found right now, then right now the solution is to put the "wrong colours" in terminals.
Right now, as a matter of urgency, it is better to have the correct polarity at the sockets than the "correct" colours in the terminals at the rear. Nobody will die from the colours being in the wrong terminals.

I wouldn't trust the socket tester to be totally correct.
It needs testing with a proper voltage detector.

 

[sparkwright]

That is an odd statement - is the solution to the problem then to put the wrong colours in the correct terminal - or actually fix the problem in the first place.

Right now, as a mater of urgency, if the root of the reverse cannot be found right now, then right now the solution is to put the "wrong colours" in terminals.

Right now, as a matter of urgency, it is better to have the correct polarity at the sockets than the "correct" colours in the terminals at the rear. Nobody will die from the colours being in the wrong terminals.

This is interesting.

I suppose the transposed wires could be sleeved with a trace of coloured tape at the appropriate location.

I suppose there there's enough lighting circuits out there where polarity isn't correctly indicated with coloured insulation or sleeving.

Despite Ban's comments on a quick, easy, temporary repair, I feel I must sress that the BEST advice would HAVE to be to get the wiring put right CORRECTLY, so the right COLOURS are in the right terminals AND the POLARITY is 100% correct.