Any budding electricians

[puternut]

Moved into this house Dec 2008 and included a spur double socket fixed to a desk. I have used it as my PC Desk since day 1

Today PC went off just like a fuse blew so I investigated.

When I looked at the back of the spur outlet the wires to the neutral & Earth had been fitted in reverse!!!!!

Can equipment still run like this? Just put them right and everything all OK. But why has it run for some time and why suddenly pack up. I feel a bit weird and wonder whether I should check all the wiring as it seems some extra plugs have bee fitted in a lean to as well as mains powered garden lights

Any advice appreciated

[scotman]

You would be better getting your house wiring looked at by an electrician. Maplin do a plug-in tester which would give a quick indication of swapped-over wires etc. Part number is WD53H.

[Hymie]

While I would agree with scotman with regards having any suspect wiring checked out – he is wrong to suggest that a plug-in tester is able to identify Earth & Neutral swapped.

In many domestic and industrial installations, Earth and Neutral have a common electrical connection. The reason ‘earth leakage’ or ‘ground fault’ interrupters work, is that they respond to an imbalance of current flowing between Live and Neutral.

Recently, I suffered an RCD operating whenever anything was plugged into a socket within newly wired trunking. A socket tester indicated nothing wrong with the socket outlet – however when removed, Earth and Neutral had been transposed.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If you dont have an RCD in circuit a N-E transposed will not become apparent on a TN system however you may experience a tingle from exposed metalwork especially in damp areas ie the bathroom.You need to get the situation rectified asap.and get an APPROVED electrician to carry out a periodic test and inspection..for the average 3 bed house it should cost about £100.However be prepared to pay up for some remedial work!!!