Rewiring plug socket

[Edufixer]

I am rennovating our bedroom and have moved a double socket as the floorboards are exposed. As the original wiring was 1960s and brittle I have changed the section around the socket. Since doing that every time I try and re wire the socket and the earth touch then the main circuit switch trips. Any advice welcome

 

[terryplumb]

If the property has wiring from the 1960 ' s , you would be well advised to have it rewired ,and sooner rather than later. The problem you posted about is likely the tip of the Iceberg !

 

[flameport]

the earth touch then the main circuit switch trips.

What exactly trips, what is touching, and why are you attempting electrical work with the power on?

If the wiring is 50+ years old and brittle, it all needs to be replaced, not just a small part of it.

 

[JohnD]

the original wiring was 1960s and brittle

What colour are the cables? Are they stranded, or single-core?

Photos would help.

 

[Edufixer]

Stranded black and red silver over copper.

Earth wires in the new twin and earth

 

[Edufixer]

Not attempting electrical work with power on had isolated fuse for circuit

 

[sparkwright]

I am rennovating our bedroom and have moved a double socket as the floorboards are exposed. As the original wiring was 1960s and brittle I have changed the section around the socket. Since doing that every time I try and re wire the socket and the earth touch then the main circuit switch trips. Any advice welcome

Send pictures please.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Is the "main circuit switch" and RCD? (does it have a test button on it?)

If so, that may trip if you touch the neutral on to the earth, even if the circuit switch is off. Bernard will be along later with a mundane diagram that explains why this may happen. But as Flameport says, if your wiring is brittle you have a fundamental cabling problem that needs major work.

 

[plugwash]

Not attempting electrical work with power on had isolated fuse for circuit

As taylor says, it sounds like the "main switch" that is tripping is a RCD. Turning off a MCB or pulling a fuse isolates the live, but leaves the Neutral and Earth connected. The voltage between Neutral and Earth is usually pretty small, but it's not zero and if you short them together it will often produce enough current to trip the RCD.

This is not in of itself anything to worry about, if the trips bother you then I suggest taping up any Neutral conductors before trying to pull/push the wires through tight spaces.

 

[Edufixer]

Thanks for replies, I think I have found the problem, it looks like the old wiring, I will call a professional in