domestic electric problem

[monzer]

Apologies for this not being van based but I know there is a lot of electrical boffins on here.

Right, I was decorating my mums bedroom and loosened off the screws on a dimmer switch. Later I discovered that half the lights in the house weren't working so I checked the breakers and they are all on. Checked the dimmer switch which has always been a bit funny and it had a loose connection. Tightened up but still no lights.

Slight buzzing coming from the circuit breaker that should be supplying the lights that are off. This buzzing goes away when switched off.

So I'm thinking the breaker has a fault as it is still on but no power going through it. Does this sound right? Are breakers universal or would I need to match the breaker to the consumer unit manufacturer?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pappajohn]

Are breakers universal or would I need to match the breaker to the consumer unit manufacturer?

Need to match if you aren't prepared to butcher the consumer cover.
One or two makes are interchangeable with some obsolete makes but can't remember which.

 

[Speve]

I’m not one hundred percent but I think you will find most would fit but I’m sure someone will see this soon and confirm

 

[chaser]

When I worked at an electrical wholesalers and someone came in with an obscure breaker we always tried one of these first, as they seemed to fit loads of boards.

Products overview - Doepke UK Ltd

www.doepke.co.uk

 

[Mike800966]

Dito
Whats the name on the breaker that you suspect, it will also have a current rating and a letter code. Like 6amp and a or b (depicts the sensitivity/speed of operation)
It that the same as the make of consumer unit?
If so try and match up.
Does sound odd that the dimmer circuit worked ok before you decorated, have you tried an ordinary switch? You have proably dropped out a wire from the dimmer suuply side that feeds on to the rest of the house
Be safe
Mike

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[monzer]

You have proably dropped out a wire from the dimmer suuply side that feeds on to the rest of the house
Be safe
Mike

That sounds like what has happened.

I put a new dimmer switch in and flicked the breaker and the lights came back on. There is still a buzzing from the consumer unit only when that breaker is on. Should I replace this any way or is the buzzing normal? The other lighting breaker is silent.

 

[Minxy]

That sounds like what has happened.

I put a new dimmer switch in and flicked the breaker and the lights came back on. There is still a buzzing from the consumer unit only when that breaker is on. Should I replace this any way or is the buzzing normal? The other lighting breaker is silent.

If the breakers are the same can you swap them round and see if you still get the buzzing from either?

 

[monzer]

If the breakers are the same can you swap them round and see if you still get the buzzing from either?

They are not the same manufacturer. But yeah I may try this just to see if it stops the buzzing.

 

[cmcardle75]

It is no longer compliant to mix breakers from different suppliers. You should fit one from the same manufacturer. They're usually available on eBay, even ones no longer made.

As for the lights not working, does flicking the breaker off kill any lights, or make no difference?

Was there just a single cable going into the dimmer switch, or more than one?

 

[Mike800966]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but next time? highly recommend a photo or a sketch of wiring arrangements before you take it apart.
I am sure an awful lot of people will concur !

Regarding the trips, Buzzing is not normal. But is it a buzz or an sparking caused by a poor connection. Minxy is right, swop over the load to another trip (of the same rating) and see if the noise persists.
Just be careful, there is lots of energy in certain parts of the consumer unit and be very sure to switch everything off at a main isolator
Be safe
Mike

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[monzer]

It is no longer compliant to mix breakers from different suppliers. You should fit one from the same manufacturer. They're usually available on eBay, even ones no longer made.

As for the lights not working, does flicking the breaker off kill any lights, or make no difference?

Was there just a single cable going into the dimmer switch, or more than one?

3 red wires going in to dimmer switch. 2 in and 1 out to light I believe. Reckon 1 wasn't making a good contact thus killing the supply to the rest of the rooms.

 

[Mike800966]

So one of the two in will be a feed and the other goes on to the further lights.
.
The way to check is that one of the three is live and if that is joined to the other one of the others either the light you wish to dim will come on or the ones further down will be working
You havent mentioned the neutrals, presume they are all commoned together and making good contact. A lost neutral will abviously also kill the later lights
Be Safe
Mike

 

[Mike800966]

So one of the two in will be a feed and the other goes on to the further lights.
.
The way to check is that one of the three is live and if that is joined to the other one of the others either the light you wish to dim will come on or the ones further down will be working
You havent mentioned the neutrals, presume they are all commoned together and making good contact. A lost neutral will abviously also kill the later lights
Be Safe
Mike

 

[cmcardle75]

3 red wires going in to dimmer switch. 2 in and 1 out to light I believe. Reckon 1 wasn't making a good contact thus killing the supply to the rest of the rooms.

Yes, sounds like you have switch loop-in arrangements for your wiring (this is uncommon in UK, but superior to the more common rose loop-in arrangements, as it gives a local neutral at the switch position allowing electronic switchgear).

One cable will be the power feed in, one cable will be the power feed out to some other lights, one will be the light fitting cable. If some lights on this circuit are no longer working, it is because the power feed out live or neutral (or both) is not connected to the power feed in.

 

[Landy Andy]

It’s appears to be the “new normal” to now run all wires into switch box, and not into ceiling roses. Assume this is due to less houses using ceiling roses these days.

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[cmcardle75]

It’s appears to be the “new normal” to now run all wires into switch box, and not into ceiling roses. Assume this is due to less houses using ceiling roses these days.

It's much easier to deal with smart switches and multiple downlighters etc. using this method of wiring. I guess eventually we won't even run switch wires at all, but run everything off a bus with central control.