Electrical faults, please help!?

Question

I brought a new flat in January in the last month or so I have noticed some electrical faults and need some advice.

1- If I have ANYTHING else plugged in eg Kettle when I plug in my iron the electric trips out.

2- One of the sockets I think has a loose connection when I plug it in it doesn't always work if you press the socket IT WORKS until you stop pressing it.

I don't think this is particully safe am I wrong?

Also I've only just started to use these sockets as my sister has had to move onto my living room floor and I used to dry hair in there (yes in front of TV) and I have only just brought an Iron.

It's shared ownership are they responsible? Am I?

OR

Do I have cause to get the people who built the flat to sort it is was brand new when I brought it?

Cheers for help

Answer 1

The circuit is probably overloaded, try using your iron in a different room and not the kitchen.

The socket does sound like there's a loose connection. It's a simple job, although you'll need an electrician to comply with insurance etc.

You are liable for the bill to the % of your joint ownership.

Good luck

Answer 2

Congratulations on home ownership. And welcome to the reality of figuring out how to stay on top of stuff when you can't just call the landlord anymore!

That the unit is new is important! Yes, in most locations, the builder should be responsible. I gather you are somewhere in the British Commonwealth? Ask locally what your rights are with a new home, and read your contract to determine what the warranty period is. Same for whether the electrical system is "yours" (likely) or part of the shared ownership.

In the US, a typical home circuit is 15A. A kettle and an iron are both "big suckers" and I would avoid having both on the same circuit. I can always tell when my iron is up to temp, because the lights that are on the same circuit get brighter when it stops drawing. Presuming the circuit is okay and it is being overloaded, but the circuit breaker is the safety feature, and it is not unsafe to trigger it.

The loose socket is definitely a problem. Have that checked. In the US we can buy the bits to fix these ourselves, but I'm not sure if that is true everywhere. Ask around, perhaps a handy friend can do it. Basic sockets are under $5 US here, and the only required tools are a screwdriver and electrician's pliers (they have a flat near the back of the pivot point for stripping insulation off).

Answer 3

Faults like this are very common on new builds. There are always lots of excuses given but basically it's sloppy work by a rushed contractor.

It is a faulty system so please ignore the 'clever clogs' who are waffling about kettle loads, circuit breakers etc. Don't dick about with it yourself either.

There are a few things you can do before you call in a private contractor. He would be exensive and may invalidate the NHBC guarantee which all new builds should have.

First you should see if any of the other residents have similar problems.

Check your documents to find if there is a copy of the NHBC guarantee certificate. If you can't find it then contact your soilcitor.

See if the builder still has a site office and form a deputation to get them to fix it.

Notify your local Trading Standards Office (see Yellow Pages under your local authority).

Answer 4

On modern vehicles it can be extremley difficult to diagnose electrical faults. Many of the systems on the vehicle are interlinked and unless the technician has been trained in specialist diagnostics a lot would struggle. Most moder vehicles give fault codes which are just a generalised starting point for the fault diagnosing, the fault code given is most likley a component, but it might not be the component thats at afault it could be the power supply to this component or the earth for this component, this should be tested by using wave form referance with and oscilloscope, however there are not many technicians that have that training, although it is becoming more common, unfortunatley your vehicle is a citroen where the on board diagnostic system isnt one of the best on the market, and despite the best will in the world there are situations where it could be a previously un thought of combination of faults that the diagnostic software doesnt have a solution to

Answer 5

You'll usually find that any sort of electrical heating appliance will put a heavy load on the circuit, and the circuit/installation is doing its job properly by tripping out thus preventing the cables etc overhaeting & pos the danger of fire. Try using the iron in another room which is likely to be on another circuit. With regards to the socket that works intermitently and ony when you bang the plug etc this is almost certainly a loose connection in the socket. Really easy to put right but as others have said I dont know if the new regs allow an unqualified person to do it....as simple as it is

Answer 6

Get the electrical contractors back, the company name will be on the electrical installation certificate that you should have.

There could be a few of reasons for the MCB (fuse) tripping;
1) The MCB is not the correct rating, have a look at the number on the front of it.
2) The other socket has a loose connection, this needs to be corrected immediately as it could start a fire due to arcing (sorry) .
3) There is a fault on the circuit

If you get the original contractor back they will not charge you as it is their fault.

Answer 7

New buildings usually have a 10 year NHBC guarantee. This should be with your paperwork, or contact the solicitor who acted for you for details.

Your shared ownership has a contract, we do not know the terms of this contract.

Any contractors involved in the contruction work do have to comply with current safety standards by law. If they have failed to this they are responsible. If the normal avenue of enquiries does not produce results get an independant installation electrition to do an inspection on your behalf. Ensure that they are members of the appropriate official association. That validates their report.

Many of the latest fuse/trip switch boards are hyper sensitive. You know, the ones that trip everytime just a light bulb goes. These can be upgraded. Manufacturers and installers go extra safe to prevent possible future law suits.

Finally, kettles and irons use a lot of electricity, much more then most people think, although just for a short period. But if other things are on, then they can be the cause of a trip.

As you live in new premises, get it checked out. maybe the installers are at fault.

Answer 8

One.It's not an overload on the circuit.

It's the RCD'd switch (Double-width one) which activates.
Therefore I deduce that it's a STEAM iron you have bought.
You have earth leakage in the iron.
Try warming it up 'dry' and then putting the water in it.

Two. The socket.
Yes, you should call the installer back it does sound like a loose connection. Sounds like it wasn't properly tested.
Do you have the electrical installation certificate?. That should name who actually carried out the testing, and a copy should have been left at the consumer unit.

Answer 9

If you are in the UK then the flat will have been tested on completion and the installers name will be on the certificate(and sometimes on the fuseboard) give them a ring and they will almost certainly come out and put it right quickly, i would as you dont want a bad name with the developer.

Answer 10

You probably need a new fuseboard and some new wiring, call an electrician. If I was you I wouldn't use the dodgy socket just in case. I've no idea if you have to pay as I don't know about shared ownership, but presumably you have some kind of contract, it should say on there who has to pay what. Try to get an electrician who is NICEIC registered, as they are normally better qualified (UK only)