I committed a sin today. I removed an old consumer unit and installed a new all R.C.B.O. consumer unit. Afterwards I found that the two lighting circuits had a shared neutral somewhere. When I turned on the lounge light the two lighting circuits' R.C.B.O.s tripped off.
I then just connected the two lighting circuits up to just one of the R.C.B.O.s to get the lights on.
Sometimes you just can't be asked.
Will I go to hell?
Z.
Zoomup:
I then just connected the two lighting circuits up to just one of the R.C.B.O.s to get the lights on.Sometimes you just can't be asked.
Will I go to hell?
No, because you have sought penance in the IET confessional. Three ave marias and a pater noster will enable you to sleep well tonight.
Yep there is now one lighting cct wheras there were two. Something we do try to avoid by checking for “borrowed N first” can we correct it? yes. Will it make unacceptable mess/expense? often. It`s the lesser of the evils. I`ve always thought an absolute min for any install should be two lighting and two power , often more but if you get stuck out with that one whatadda do? Actually the borrowed N can be dangerous under some conditions too.
Three hail Mary`s Zoom
No you wont go to hell. You might however go to purgatory [electrical department] There you will meet others who have committed the lesser electrical sins.
Use of “240 volts AC” light switches on circuits that might run at 253 volts.
Use of incandescent lamps marked “110 volts AC only” on 110 volt DC circuits.
Use of leftover cable in the old colours, in your own home.
Used an electric barbecue without an RCD.
Used 13.04 amps from a 13 amp socket.
And the other lesser sins. The electrical zone of purgatory is lit by gas, to avoid arguments. Entertainments include wind up gramophones.
ebee:
Yep there is now one lighting cct wheras there were two. Something we do try to avoid by checking for “borrowed N first” can we correct it? yes. Will it make unacceptable mess/expense? often. It`s the lesser of the evils. I`ve always thought an absolute min for any install should be two lighting and two power , often more but if you get stuck out with that one whatadda do? Actually the borrowed N can be dangerous under some conditions too.
Three hail Mary`s Zoom
Youknowwhat? I did test for linked neutrals and lines on the two lighting circuits before connecting them up and they tested o.k. and separate. Perhaps I should have turned on all of the lights first and left them on. The two way switched lights can be a problem determining if they are on or off with no supply. Anyway I'm getting really lazy these days. But I do pay keen attention to the really necessary things like safety and reliability where possible. Safety first. The house is only a small two up and two down Victorian mid terraced in Norwich. I had forgotten about busy towns and traffic as I rarely go there from Eden here by the sea. The Devil lives in Norwich.
Norwich after dark…..
Z.
I rather like the concept of a state of purgatory [electrical department] where folk are re-educated and have to become reformed characters before being allowed to move on to some sort of sparky heaven where the lights never flicker and the wiring meets all known standards, perfectly…
I guess those who of us who have used 415V 3 phase boards on 230-0-230 split phase are in the long stay section, along with the chaps who always cut the CPC too short and only have incomplete paperwork.
It will also need an area for international arrivals ? based on the wiring I see abroad.
Mike.
I did test for linked neutrals and lines on the two lighting circuits before connecting them up and they tested o.k. and separate.
My first guess would be the landing light - its was disappointingly common in the days of spider wiring to pinch the L from the hall light switch and just run a twin for the strappers up to the landing switch, and then a SL single from there to the landing light - which then used the upstairs lighting N. Wouldn't show up on a test unless the switches were on and the lamp intact.
- Andy.
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