Electricians advice sought - or competent person.

macabethiel · 28-02-2020, 15:05

As some of you know our house was completely rewired after the house fire with some changes to the ring mains layout - Kitchen is completely separate to rest of house for instance. I have had some issues on the ground floor when using my BT Mini Connectors that use Ethernet over Mains protocols.

I have a sneaky feeling that it could be the case that perhaps some of the wiring to the house 13 amp sockets might not be 100% - this would explain why a BT Mini Connector works better in one side of a double socket than the other - it could be the brand of socket perhaps?

Short of checking the tightness of the screws in every single wall socket is there an easier way to check it out ?

Is there an inexpensive testing tool that I could use?

panelbeater · 28-02-2020, 15:54

they do a mains plug into socket tester plug with lights to show good or errers

macabethiel · 28-02-2020, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by panelbeater

they do a mains plug into socket tester plug with lights to show good or errers

Any idea of price and what are they called so I can check some prices on fle bay or at Screwfix etc?

Fez_uk · 28-02-2020, 17:02

Mains socket tester

Quote:

his would explain why a BT Mini Connector works better in one side of a double socket than the other - it could be the brand of socket perhaps?

The double socket will share the same 3 wires (Live, Neutral and earth), So I doubt it's at fault.

jims-terrano · 28-02-2020, 18:14

Sounds like they have separated into several ring mains. Old way of doing it was upstairs and downstairs separated. Do the sockets have a brand on them such as MK. I’ve had problems in the past with cheap sockets bought from a well known DIY Store. Personally I prefer MK but other brands are available. I have seen cheap double sockets with USB chargers combined with earths not connected properly so basically despite an earth cable connected the plugs had no connection to earth, I’d of expected this to trip a circuit but I’m told not always the case.

solarman216 · 28-02-2020, 20:05

As Fez says a double socket is fed with LNE but is the socket is switched then one side could have a bad switch, as for checking polarity a plug in socket tester is the best way forward, it will tell you instantly if LNE are correct, as for insufficiently tightened terminal screws the only way is remove the socket and check, Rick

macabethiel · 28-02-2020, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fez_uk

Mains socket tester

The double socket will share the same 3 wires (Live, Neutral and earth), So I doubt it's at fault.

Looks like they test wrong wiring & earth continuity rather than load / contact

28-02-2020, 15:05	#1
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Electricians advice sought - or competent person. As some of you know our house was completely rewired after the house fire with some changes to the ring mains layout - Kitchen is completely separate to rest of house for instance. I have had some issues on the ground floor when using my BT Mini Connectors that use Ethernet over Mains protocols. I have a sneaky feeling that it could be the case that perhaps some of the wiring to the house 13 amp sockets might not be 100% - this would explain why a BT Mini Connector works better in one side of a double socket than the other - it could be the brand of socket perhaps? Short of checking the tightness of the screws in every single wall socket is there an easier way to check it out ? Is there an inexpensive testing tool that I could use?

28-02-2020, 20:05	#6
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,430	As Fez says a double socket is fed with LNE but is the socket is switched then one side could have a bad switch, as for checking polarity a plug in socket tester is the best way forward, it will tell you instantly if LNE are correct, as for insufficiently tightened terminal screws the only way is remove the socket and check, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

28-02-2020, 15:54	#2
panelbeater Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: clacton on sea essex Vehicle: nissan terrano 2 2.7 tdi Posts: 1,638	they do a mains plug into socket tester plug with lights to show good or errers

28-02-2020, 18:14	#5
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Sounds like they have separated into several ring mains. Old way of doing it was upstairs and downstairs separated. Do the sockets have a brand on them such as MK. I’ve had problems in the past with cheap sockets bought from a well known DIY Store. Personally I prefer MK but other brands are available. I have seen cheap double sockets with USB chargers combined with earths not connected properly so basically despite an earth cable connected the plugs had no connection to earth, I’d of expected this to trip a circuit but I’m told not always the case.