Downstairs lighting gone, but fuses OK Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[steve.block]

Every downstairs light in my house has stopped working simultaneously. Naturally, as all upstairs lights and all power sockets still work fine, I assumed this would mean that one of the two 5-amp fuses in the main box that had gone. However, all fuses are intact, and swapping the two 5-amps over still leaves upstairs working and downstairs not working.

No work was being done on anything electrical when this started. No bulbs have gone. Any ideas please? If it's a break in a main wire somewhere near the fuse box, how can I trace it?

Thanks

Steve

[sparx]

Hi Steve, unlikely to be break in cable, unless damaged but then usually fuse would blow , so look at location of fuse board- try to work out which would be the nearest ceiling light to it and test there for Live & neutral. if you don't have access to test meter can use lampholder, lamp & short piece of flex to test carefully. I fuse board has been changed at any time possible some wires may have been extended inside fuse board so worth a look there for connectors. If no luck a good leckie will have means of trace testing cable with tone injection kit, sorry but not easy to diagnose by remote! but you have done basics already,
Regards SPARX

[steve.block]

Thanks for the advice, Sparx. I may need to get in an electrician - something I've not done for over 20 years. What's the best way to find a good local person, do you think? Is there a particular qualification/membership I should look for to avoid cowboys?

Meantime I'll check out the things you mention.

Steve

[sparx]

If looking try local 'parish mag' / local trade directory, but best way is ask around amongst locals.
A member of trade association should be good guide as all have to provide refs. insurence, quals. etc. Ie ECA, NAPIT, niceic, regards SPARX