tracing a ring main break
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:31 pm
My plug socket ring main recently failed. I got in a professional, who was able to isolate the break to between two sockets, and has "terminated" each leg, to give me power back in 90% of the house.
Now I need to complete the fix, and I'm really worried about tearing up the house to find out where the break is (one socket in the bedroom, the other in my kitchen....). So I'm interested in finding our if I can trace the cable route to find out where it goes, and where it "breaks".
My thought is: if I turn off the circuit, then apply some kind of charge from one socket to the "broken" side, I could trace how far and where the cable goes.... is this possible or am I being hopelessly optimistic? Otherwise I guess I have to face floorboards up, plastering damaged and so-on.
If anyone has any advice how to trace the cables, and what tools I would need, I'd be really grateful. When the break is found, I'd get in a pro again to actually fix the problem - just want to save time and expense first!
thanks
dave
Now I need to complete the fix, and I'm really worried about tearing up the house to find out where the break is (one socket in the bedroom, the other in my kitchen....). So I'm interested in finding our if I can trace the cable route to find out where it goes, and where it "breaks".
My thought is: if I turn off the circuit, then apply some kind of charge from one socket to the "broken" side, I could trace how far and where the cable goes.... is this possible or am I being hopelessly optimistic? Otherwise I guess I have to face floorboards up, plastering damaged and so-on.
If anyone has any advice how to trace the cables, and what tools I would need, I'd be really grateful. When the break is found, I'd get in a pro again to actually fix the problem - just want to save time and expense first!
thanks
dave