Problem with new External Socket ...

[swsgm30]

Hi, hope somebody can help? ...
I've fitted a new BG WP21ES External switched socket with neon indicator and can't get it to work. I've fed it via a new 2.5mm cable via a dedicated MCB and terminated as per instructions, but ....
All appears normal when nothing is connected (neon indicator goes on and off with the switch) but when i connect anything, (I've even tried a light bulb connected via a 13A plug so it can hardly be the Load - it's a 16A MCB) it trips one of the RCD's in the consumer unit but not the RCD feeding the MCB to the socket.
The only thing I can think is that it is the neon connections but I haven't altered them from as supplied .. I haven't tried disconnecting them yet.

 

[Jurassicspark]

Try plugging in something different and try again.

If not, N and E reverse at the socket? You might have connected the new circuit to the wrong neutral bar. Send a picture of the wires behind the socket and the new MCB.

 

[pete01]

Wrong neutral bar.

 

[pete01]

You might have connected the new circuit to the wrong neutral bar.

Wonder where you got that idea.

 

[Murdochcat]

No testing

 

[Taylortwocities]

I've fed it via a new 2.5mm cable via a dedicated MCB and terminated as per instructions, but ....

Well, that is a new circuit and notifiable work.
You now need a registered electrician to sort out your mess, test and certify the work and notify the new circuit to LABC.

Ever wondered why electricians have training so that they know what they are doing?

 

[swsgm30]

Thanks for the suggestions guys .. there only seems to be one Neutral BUS but I’ll recheck.
Taylortwocities - this has been my first post on this site and was asking for help not criticism so thank you for your holier than thou attitude!
I’ve worked on far more intricate technical stuff in the past and, while I don’t know the up to date specs, l don’t find it particularly difficult to run a length of chunky cable and terminate it on a few screws.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I’ve worked on far more intricate technical stuff in the past and, while I don’t know the up to date specs, l don’t find it particularly difficult to run a length of chunky cable and terminate it on a few screws.

That may well be, but it is a requirement of Building regulations that certain work (and that includes new circuits) must be notified to the loacal authorities building control.

If this work isn't "difficult" why doesn't it work?

 

[flameport]

don’t find it particularly difficult to run a length of chunky cable

What size of cable?

What type of RCD is it? If it's an old Type AC, it is not permitted for new socket outlets.

there only seems to be one Neutral BUS but I’ll recheck.

Look again. If there is more than one RCD in the consumer unit, there will be more than one neutral bar, and those bars will be labelled so that the wires for each circuit are connected in the correct location.

 

[ericmark]

It would seem wrong neutral bar, or neutral and earth swapped, as to notifiable it changes depending on where you live, England, Scotland, and Wales all different. So I tend not to mention it unless the question asks. (Can I etc.)

You should complete an insulation or minor works certificate for all electrical work, they are a free download from the IET website, and act as a good check list to ensure you have inspected and inspected all required.

The problem with the laws are they often don't have a "definitions" and when they do, don't use words to mean the same as the regulations, some really basic words like "installation" and "equipment" where you need to find a different law to get the definition. So reference to a consumer unit, for example, and if a single item is fitted which was not type tested with the consumer unit is fitted, then no longer a consumer unit, it is only a distribution unit.

It seems the laws were not written by an electrician, we clearly know what they aim to do, and should anything go wrong, then the English is unlikely to help, and we have no idea of the case law, but the word "New" is the problem, so if a MCB which was used for ABC is instead used for XYZ is that circuit New? or is it an Old circuit reused? The answer is let the courts decide, but personally I would prefer it not to go to court.

 

[Sparky3]

Thanks for the suggestions guys .. there only seems to be one Neutral BUS but I’ll recheck.
Taylortwocities - this has been my first post on this site and was asking for help not criticism so thank you for your holier than thou attitude!

That isn't a holier than thou attitude, it's he truth.

l don’t find it particularly difficult to run a length of chunky cable and terminate it on a few screws.

You obviously do otherwise it would be working and you wouldn't be here asking the question.

Your "new" outside socket has had no testing as required by BS7671 and the building regulations so presents a potentially lethal hazard, let alone the lack of notification to LABC.

What are the insulation resistance test readings and what is the earth fault loop impedance and does it meet the required disconnection time for a 16A mcb?

Good luck with your project and I hope you don't end up killing someone.

 

[Sparky3]

It would seem wrong neutral bar, or neutral and earth swapped, as to notifiable it changes depending on where you live, England, Scotland, and Wales all different. So I tend not to mention it unless the question asks. (Can I etc.)

Not true mate, a new circuit is notifiable wherever you are in the country.

 

[ericmark]

Not true mate, a new circuit is notifiable wherever you are in the country.

Define new?

If a consumer unit is fitted populated with all RCBO's, and all the RCBO's are tested when fitted, then to test each RCBO has been part of a circuit, so connecting wires to one latter is not a new circuit. Yes I know it is for the courts to decide, and make case law, but until that has happened, then the law is wide open to interpretation.

Don't get me wrong, I think any work should be inspected and tested and paperwork raised, but if we are going to insist on that, what is the point in this forum? If all we do is quote the law, then may as well give up on the forum.

I have not read Scottish, Ulster or IOM regulations, I can't comment as to if all require notifying, also some Islands off the South cost. And to be frank I don't care. I would prefer people feel free to ask questions on this forum, than trying to DIY without asking and hurt themselves.

And I for one have notified the LABC and done it all correct, without huge expense, due to being work for the disabled, and have also tried to later get copies of the complacence certificate and failed, told it would take 4 months, and would cost however long it took council worker to find them, in other words go away and don't be silly.

OK that was Flintshire, the Powis county council publish them all on line. So it would be easy to show I had not registered the work here. However the work which has been done the paperwork is so vague as to be pointless. I bought a new RCD tester so thought I would look at the results when last RCD sockets fitted so I could compare results, only to find no readings entered on the paperwork.

Let him without sin cast the first stone.

 

[Sparky3]

Define new?

If a consumer unit is fitted populated with all RCBO's, and all the RCBO's are tested when fitted, then to test each RCBO has been part of a circuit, so connecting wires to one latter is not a new circuit. Yes I know it is for the courts to decide, and make case law, but until that has happened, then the law is wide open to interpretation.

Don't get me wrong, I think any work should be inspected and tested and paperwork raised, but if we are going to insist on that, what is the point in this forum? If all we do is quote the law, then may as well give up on the forum.

I have not read Scottish, Ulster or IOM regulations, I can't comment as to if all require notifying, also some Islands off the South cost. And to be frank I don't care. I would prefer people feel free to ask questions on this forum, than trying to DIY without asking and hurt themselves.

And I for one have notified the LABC and done it all correct, without huge expense, due to being work for the disabled, and have also tried to later get copies of the complacence certificate and failed, told it would take 4 months, and would cost however long it took council worker to find them, in other words go away and don't be silly.

OK that was Flintshire, the Powis county council publish them all on line. So it would be easy to show I had not registered the work here. However the work which has been done the paperwork is so vague as to be pointless. I bought a new RCD tester so thought I would look at the results when last RCD sockets fitted so I could compare results, only to find no readings entered on the paperwork.

Let him without sin cast the first stone.

If there was no circuit before the stated work, it must by definition be a new circuit. It doesn't need a court to prove that. All good working sparks will be able to tell you the same and you should well know that MGW.

 

[88v8]

Hi, hope somebody can help? ...
I've fitted a new BG WP21ES External switched socket with neon indicator and can't get it to work. I've fed it via a new 2.5mm cable via a dedicated MCB and terminated as per instructions, but ....

A month ago I replaced an MK external socket as the lid catch was verrry stiff, fitted a BG. The neon lights and it powers anything plugged in, but when I plug in my socket tester - one of those that shows three lights if all is well - it shows no lights at all.
Bizarre.