earthing on a sockets circuit Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[lmpope]

I've been told in an electrical Saftey inspection that the upstairs sockets circuit is no longer earthed . Not aware of any alterations being made to this circuit since re-wiring the house 5 years ago and all sockets work, so what is likley to be causing the failure of the earthing?

[kbrownie]

Hi Impope,
Firstly, Is the upstairs circuit on its own breaker from the consumer unit? This means the downstairs has it's own breaker too and these are two circuits are seperate.
Secondly, Has any work has been carried out that could have damaged cables? (nails, screws in to walls etc..)
Thirdly, is there no earth readings at all upstairs sockets.
I am assuming the re-wire did have all CPC (circuit protective conductors installed) Earths that is!
So start back at the consumer unit to check that the cpc/earth has not come loose and the terminal is tight within the earth bar. then socket by socket (upstairs) checking at First socket in the circuit working to last for loose connection.
Most faults can be found at the accessories.
Remembewr to isolate the circuit before inspection and prove the circuit is dead. I'd isolate whole system whilst you are inspecting at consumer unit.
Kind Regards
KB

[sparx]

Hi, just a thought,
if circuit is a ring, if no earth at sockets then either not connected at consumer unit or 2 seperate faults as earth should be reading both ways around circuit, does report say how many sockets affected and where?

regards SPARX

[moggy1968]

are the cables in metal conduit? does this provide the earth?

[AJMustafa]

If there is no earth on the sockets the circuit supplying them should have been immediately rectified or isolated at the consumer unit or it is in breach of regulations