Plug socket is dead

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F02613040

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Hi All,

I have a socket in the bathroom which has gone dead. I can tell this is not on a ring main as it only has one set of wires connected to it, could anyone tell me how I would find out whether it is connected directly to the CU or it is a spur off another socket.

I was going to open all the sockets and check where there is a spur off and then check the sockets that are a spur are dead by removing the wires going to the spur, this would confirm that the bathroom socket is not spurred from any of the other sockets. After this I was going to turn the RCD's off for the sockets and then check every socket, hopefully if they are all off then I could safely say this socket in the bathroom has it's own RCD.

Would I then assume if the RCD is 30/32 amp, these are usually for sockets to find the one that could be running to the bathroom?

My assumption at this point is that there is a break in the wire going to the bathroom socket but I cant tell where the break is and since I have limited access being in a flat with wiring either in the walls or suspended ceiling, I am finding it difficult to simply replace the wire.

Any suggestions/thoughts are more than welcome.

Thanks in advance

Bav
 
Is it a big bathroom?
When you say "gone dead" do you mean it used to work?

Sockets are not allowed within 3m of a bath or shower so, if a small room, it may have been intentionally disconnected.


F02613040 said:
I have a socket in the bathroom which has gone dead. I can tell this is not on a ring main as it only has one set of wires connected to it, could anyone tell me how I would find out whether it is connected directly to the CU or it is a spur off another socket.
Click to expand...
Presumably not if it is dead.

I was going to open all the sockets and check where there is a spur off and then check the sockets that are a spur are dead by removing the wires going to the spur, this would confirm that the bathroom socket is not spurred from any of the other sockets. After this I was going to turn the RCD's off for the sockets and then check every socket, hopefully if they are all off then I could safely say this socket in the bathroom has it's own RCD.
Click to expand...
I think you mean MCB - miniature circuit breaker.
I don't think that makes sense. It is unlikely to be the only socket on a circuit.

Would I then assume if the RCD is 30/32 amp, these are usually for sockets to find the one that could be running to the bathroom?
Click to expand...
MCB - yes, but if it is dead it will have no effect.

My assumption at this point is that there is a break in the wire going to the bathroom socket but I cant tell where the break is and since I have limited access being in a flat with wiring either in the walls or suspended ceiling, I am finding it difficult to simply replace the wire.
Click to expand...
It is unlikely, but not impossible, to be a broken hidden wire.
Check nearby sockets to see if there is a disconnected cable.


From what you write, I think you would be wise to employ an electrician.
 
F02613040 said:
Would I then assume if the RCD is 30/32 amp, these are usually for sockets to find the one that could be running to the bathroom?
Click to expand...
No. An RCD would have a rating of 0.03amp. Perhaps you mean an MCB?

But to take a step back. What sort of socket are we talking about? Is this a 13amp type with the square pins, or is it something like a shaver socket. Feel free to post a photo if you are not sure.
 
EFLImpudence said:
Is it a big bathroom?
When you say "gone dead" do you mean it used to work?

Sockets are not allowed within 3m of a bath or shower so, if a small room, it may have been intentionally disconnected.



Presumably not if it is dead.


I think you mean MCB - miniature circuit breaker.
I don't think that makes sense. It is unlikely to be the only socket on a circuit.


MCB - yes, but if it is dead it will have no effect.


It is unlikely, but not impossible, to be a broken hidden wire.
Check nearby sockets to see if there is a disconnected cable.


From what you write, I think you would be wise to employ an electrician.
Click to expand...

Yes it is a MCB. It has a fuse switched spur connected where a heater was connected at some point in the past however now disconnected. An electrician came a few weeks ago when it was working and everything is signed off with a electrical cert. I have just checked the cert and can see it was connected on a ring circuit meaning it has been spurred off one of the sockets so either a loose wire or a break in the cable somehow.
 
Taylortwocities said:
No. An RCD would have a rating of 0.03amp. Perhaps you mean an MCB?

But to take a step back. What sort of socket are we talking about? Is this a 13amp type with the square pins, or is it something like a shaver socket. Feel free to post a photo if you are not sure.
Click to expand...

Its a fuse switched spur. Apologies for the confusion, its not a socket. The shaver socket has its own connection.
 
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