Kit's Khaos

[PR19_Kit]

It gets worse.................

Today was a BIG day for one of my other hobbies, RC model boats. The largest model boat regatta in the UK happens about 3 miles away from my new home, so it's an absolute must to attend. Over the last few days I've been charging batteries, checking radio links, replacing defunct ECUs etc. etc. all ready for the big event.

First thing this morning I woke to find no electricity! The blasted RCD breaker had tripped again, and it would NOT reset, no matter what I did. We called the electrician again, and he was on holiday in Norfolk, and he said he'd let his son know and he'd 'get back to us'. Meanwhile I started checking exactly what was the source of the problem, and we abandoned plans for going to the regatta today. 

By a process of elimination, and by checking if the RCD had tripped each time, I've worked out that it's the actual 13 amp ring main in the front half of the house that's doing it, and it trips the RCD with nothing plugged in at all, so no BB, so TV, no DVE player etc. 

My response to that was to get a LONG extension cable and run it from the kitchen, in the rear of the house, through the hallway to the lounge in the front, and wire everything from that. Works a treat otherwise you'd not be reading this. But for some treason known only to the crazy electrician who re-wired this place, the oven and the boiler work of the FRONT ring main, so we can't cook anything and we've got no hot water! 

It's now well over 10 hrs since we called the electrician and we've had no response whatsoever, so I'll be calling another one tomorrow, life's too short, specially my age! We WILL be at the regatta tomorrow though, no matter what!

[Gondor]

That is not good; it also sounds expensive. The cooker at least should be on its own supply from the distribution panel, something I remember from learning about it some sixteen or more years ago when I did my HNC electrical engineering course.

[PR19_Kit]

It is on its own supply from the panel, but in series with the front of the house power main, which the front RCD circuit breaker overlooks. That's being tripped by the front of the house ring main and that takes out the cooker as well. Madness.

[Gondor]

Not just Madness, plain wrong.

[Rick Lowe]

Not just Madness, plain wrong.

Bodge Job done by the apprentice... or it was a Friday ahead of a long weekend...

[kerick]

That is not good; it also sounds expensive. The cooker at least should be on its own supply from the distribution panel, something I remember from learning about it some sixteen or more years ago when I did my HNC electrical engineering course.

When I remodeled most of house years ago I went from six circuits in the whole house to about 15. Each major appliance had its own circuit along with circuits for different sets of lights. Fortunately the house was decently done the first time around it just didn't have circuits for things like dishwashers and air conditioners. My best friend is the best non professional electrician anywhere. He choose to be an engineer for a living.

[scooter]

Not just Madness, plain wrong.

Bodge Job done by the apprentice... or it was a Friday ahead of a long weekend...

Or the Monday after a long weekend.

[Pellson]

We WILL be at the regatta tomorrow though, no matter what!

I think this should be the main focus, actually. The electric will get sorted, but the regatta will go on regardless. Hence, an easy priority..

[zenrat]

Not just Madness, plain wrong.

Bodge Job done by the apprentice... or it was a Friday ahead of a long weekend...

Or the Monday after a long weekend.

Or rats have gnawed the wiring.
 

[PR19_Kit]

Or rats have gnawed the wiring.
 

That's not too likely here, but if I was in Oz they'd have gnawed ME! 

[frank2056]

With such poor wiring, I'd pay to get as much of the electrical system inspected as possible. Who knows what other shortcuts they took.

[Rick Lowe]

With such poor wiring, I'd pay to get as much of the electrical system inspected as possible. Who knows what other shortcuts they took.

Actually, that is not a silly idea at all.   
Especially if (Heaven forbid) anything untoward happens and the Insurance company gets a bit sticky...

[PR19_Kit]

When, or if, we find an electrician who actually shows up    they'll have to do a total check anyway in order to find the actual problem. I fear large chunks of the walls having to come down.

[Gondor]

Did you have plans to redecorate? if not, you do now.

[PR19_Kit]

No, the sellers had already done it!