Expensive electrical lesson

**BobL** · 4th April 2006, 12:05 AM

Over the last 3 days I have learned an expensive lesson in making sure that EVERY device is removed from a circuit before calling an electrician.

The story goes like this. One of our power circuits in the house was tripping out on sort of monthly basis but on Saturday it was tripping out and staying off. I removed what I thought was EVERY device from that circuit and the breaker was still tripping. I must have reset the breaker once too often because I ended up burning out the breaker.

I then get my multimeter meter out (don't worry I work with up to 10 kV at work) and identified an short between active and neutral on that circuit. Now the thought of crawling around in the roofspace to track this problem down further didn't thrill me so I called a sparky and watched him disect and test the wiring in the roof cavity and about 10 powerpoints along one side of the house. After 4 hours he finally tracked down a wallwart plugged into a powerpoint inside a built in cupboard. I had completely forgotten that powerpoint existed and that a wallwart was plugged into it. Cost of mistake: 4 hours of sparky time plus a circuit breaker.

So in case this happens to you, make sure EVERY device is removed from the power before you retest your breaker......and your electrician !! ARGHHHHHH!!!!

**Ashore** · 4th April 2006, 12:28 AM

Have seen this happen at sea all to often, espically where some cowboy runs a new circuit and dosen't update the drawings. Hate Hate HATE
It pays even in the home situation to have a detailed drawing of your electricial circuit, and if possible where the wires run , ie how far from that wall etc , it may sound anal retintive but a small amount of work when building or renovating can save you lots 20 years down the track

**Munga** · 4th April 2006, 06:16 AM

All my power points have a number on them (dynatape) indicating which circuit they are on and I keep a printed list of these and their location in the house so if any problems arrise I grab the list and work my way through it until I find the point causing the problem.
Arch

**Simomatra** · 4th April 2006, 09:51 AM

I can also relate to your problem Bob and also agree with Ashore and Munga

Where I have been working as an Electrician the vessel had a life extension 18 months ago but there were no drawing produced and trying to find why a circuit is defective is a nightmare

I have even had circuits double feed ie remove one supply and it is backed by another that is not supposed to be there

Beware the unknown try and keep a record as Ashore and Munga say

Cheers sam

**BobL** · 4th April 2006, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Simomatra

.. . I have even had circuits double feed ie remove one supply and it is backed by another that is not supposed to be there

I had one of these at doubles at work, double wired neutral, drove me batty trying to work it out. Turned out to be from a completely different circuit as well! Not to mention problems with ground loops.

**journeyman Mick** · 4th April 2006, 11:31 PM

Bob,
what's a wallwart?:confused:

Mick

**martrix** · 4th April 2006, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Bob,
what's a wallwart?:confused:

Mick

Google says........WALLWART
What is WALLWART in electronics?
Read the following to find out:
The AC or DC power adapter that plugs into the wall to power a device that has a lower voltage.

**journeyman Mick** · 4th April 2006, 11:49 PM

Thanks Martrix

Mick

**lnt9000** · 5th April 2006, 12:07 AM

Hmmm "Wallwart" you learn something every day, funny name for a plugpack though.

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 5th April 2006, 12:12 AM

But unusually appropriate.

Now, if you'll excuse me, this chairwart has other things to do...

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