Home Electrical Question.

[Baby Huey]

I have a problem with the electrics in the kitchen. I've got 6 sockets, 2 are working fine. I've put a circuit tester on the others and it says I have a problem with the neutral.

I've checked the wiring into the sockets and all seems to be as it should, checked the continuity also.

Any ideas what the problem may be?

Thanks.

[10 Pence Short]

It sounds like it could be something electrical.

[P924]

Where are the 2 working sockets in relation to the 4 non working sockets?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Just get a spark in. Much easier and safer than dicking about with it yourself

[mas99]

Are all the sockets on a (the same) ring or are they on a spur?

How did you check continuity?

[Baby Huey]

I think they are all on the same ring. As far as I know the 2 sockets nearest the meter are working. Checked the continuity with a multimeter between the sockets, wires diconnected.

Am getting 180v when testing between live and neutral on the non-working sockets.

[Pigeon]

That's just leakage... shows why ordinary multimeters are not always the best tools to use for testing mains circuits.

First thing to do is have 'em all off the wall and check for loose connections in the back of them. Start with the ones that do work...

[Baby Huey]

Yes, checked that, all wiring seems to be in place.

[cjs]

Is the Kitchen on it's own ring main? Does it have it's own circuit breaker?

[Baby Huey]

cjs said:

Is the Kitchen on it's own ring main? Does it have it's own circuit breaker?

Yes, I believe so.

[sparkypete]

If you switch off the kitchen socket circuit breaker does it isolate all 6 sockets. If it does it sounds like the 4No faulty sockets could well be run as a spur of the main ring, and your problem could be behind the socket where the spur starts.

Remove all sockets and check to confirm that each has 2 reds or brown, 2 black or blue and 2 green yellow. If one socket has 3 reds or brown, 3 black or blue and 3 green yellow, than this is where the spur starts, check all connections in this socket.

Please ensure that all power is isolated prior to starting your checking.

Pete

[NiceCupOfTea]

If you don't know what you're doing, call a spark!

[Baby Huey]

Thanks for the advice folks, problem solved. Loose neutral on a socket I thought was on a different ring.

Cheers.