Blown Fuse

driver_problems · 16-02-2006, 21:59

I had a corgi plumber check out and service the boiler the other day. Just had someone run into my room and say "there's been an explosion!", which raised an eyebrow

Basically the power feed to the timer has blown. Do you think this is an issue with the corgi man e.g. did he disturb some kind of wire during the service or is it a dodgy timer - been there for a good few years

Handyman, or anyone, what do you think?

Xaccers · 16-02-2006, 22:21

From the looks of the wall, it's an old house, with old wiring, would I be correct in that deduction?

If so, I would suggest getting an electrician in to check the state of the wiring in the rest of the house.

Tuftus · 16-02-2006, 22:46

From the marks on the wall it looks like you have been very lucky!

As Xaccers suggests, get a qualified electrician to check things over, preferably one registered with the NICEIC or the ECA.

Do you rent? if so, when was you last periodic inspection report done and do you still have the PIR certificate?

Check out www.niceic.org.uk and you can find you local registered companies.

Also, just in case, I would isolate (turn off) the circuit at the fuse box / consumer unit just in case.

Hope this helps!

Andy

bopdude · 16-02-2006, 23:02

Could have blown for a number of reasons, bit of a coincidence though I must admit, hard to tell from the pics, but i would say that it's blown due to a short rather than overload, looking at the spur, its deffinitely 'old' to say the least, I wouldn't be supprised if its only fed with twin cable ( no earth ), I take it there were no leaks on or around the spur during the service ?? It does warrent an electrician to have a look see and check out the wiring, as has been said.

driver_problems · 16-02-2006, 23:18

just cos the wallpaper is cheap woodchip - does not neccesarily mean the house is old - but yeah - 116 years old

yesman · 16-02-2006, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Could have blown for a number of reasons, bit of a coincidence though I must admit, hard to tell from the pics, but i would say that it's blown due to a short rather than overload, looking at the spur, its deffinitely 'old' to say the least, I wouldn't be supprised if its only fed with twin cable ( no earth ), I take it there were no leaks on or around the spur during the service ?? It does warrent an electrician to have a look see and check out the wiring, as has been said.

That's a dead short alright......

And as you say and as other people have said, a registered sparky is required to investigate this, NICIEC or NAPIT approved.

greencreeper · 17-02-2006, 08:19

I'm more concerned that the phrase, "There's been an explosion", only raised an eyebrow. Are explosions a routine event where you live?

Saaf_laandon_mo · 17-02-2006, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencreeper

I'm more concerned that the phrase, "There's been an explosion", only raised an eyebrow. Are explosions a routine event where you live?

Maybe he lives in Bagdad

etccarmageddon · 17-02-2006, 11:05

that looks like live has connected with netural - when I was a lad I connected live in a socket with netural and blew up the socket in much the same effect!

and if you haven't already done it upgrade your fusebox if you have one of those old ones with wire fuses rather than trip fuses. it'll protect you from people like me buggering around in your electrics!

---------- Post added at 11:04 ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 ----------

I recon you had a loose wire in that connection and it's touched - connecting live with netural. very dangerous stuff.

---------- Post added at 11:05 ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by greencreeper

I'm more concerned that the phrase, "There's been an explosion", only raised an eyebrow.

from my experience there is a small explosion and the socket turns partly black like his did.

driver_problems · 17-02-2006, 12:33

turns out it was a fuse wire type arrangement and the one end of it had been loose for a long time it seems. Have replaced it with a new unit and it seems to be ok now

etccarmageddon · 17-02-2006, 12:43

get yourself a proper uptodate fusebox not one of those ropey old things.

driver_problems · 17-02-2006, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

get yourself a proper uptodate fusebox not one of those ropey old things.

yeah its a new one from B&Q

etccarmageddon · 18-02-2006, 20:11

your main central fusebox where the mains comes in? or just that power feed socket?

driver_problems · 18-02-2006, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

your main central fusebox where the mains comes in? or just that power feed socket?

just that power feed socket

etccarmageddon · 19-02-2006, 00:22

I got my whole fuse box replaced last month - well worth the £250 total cost for piece of mind.