5 Deadly Hidden Electrical Faults

[@artisanelectrics]

Sign up to TRADIFY using code ‘ARTISAN’ to get 50% off your first three months - bit.ly/3JNjPGS

[@christurner6430]

It's easy. Don't turn that lamp on! (Joke)

[@peterfletcher2611]

Do electricians get jobs from tradify or is it just an accounts/planning app?

[@johnavery15]

It’s lovely to see Reuben’s confidence growing. His sense of humour is coming to the fore with the increased confidence. Great video guys and a real life fault finding course! Very good!

[@JGE_Installations]

Impressed with Reuben, some electricians I work with wouldn’t be that confident with those faults

[@Ragnar8504]

I can think of at least one experienced KZbin spark who might be chasing his tail on these, at least for a while 😀

[@danielelise7348]

​@@Ragnar8504who are you talking about?I won't say anything, it'll be just between us.😁

[@Ragnar8504]

@@danielelise7348 Delroy the Spark. He's a really nice bloke but sometimes he can get a bit confused.

[@owenlerry6339]

Well done Reuben, having someone like John teach you like this & give you such knowledge is golden & should fill you with confidence, just keep learning put the hard work in at college & you will become a great electrician.

[@artisanelectrics]

Couldn't agree more!

[@michaelanderson8010]

Well done guys! That’s a great way to teach next generation electricians about the dangers and importance of electrical safety!!👍👍.

[@andrewbrady7909]

The problem isn’t DIY’rs, it’s the trades race to the lowest possible standard bottom over the last 20 years.

[@Sparks1Plumbers0]

Biggest culprit... New Builds. Often total nightmares that get signed off by Stevie Wonder inspector's!!!

[@TheTW11]

This is the problem I have now - I need a full EICR and a new board. I guarantee my place has faults cos the bloke I bought it off of was an idiot. But finding someone I can trust to do it properly is not so easy.

[@Mike-ms6he]

@@TheTW11Are you near Bristol?

[@AmauryJacquot]

the main issue is people's salaries haven't followed the crazy inflation numbers, preventing them to afford to pay tradespeople a decent rate

[@brendancooney9401]

True, house I bought 15 years ago had numerous faults and it was trades who were responsible, not diy as it was only 5 years old.

[@acespark1]

Great video simulating real life situations is difficult, but I liked how you let Reuben try to work it out as he will have to do on his AM2 or AM2s, and in the real world. Training like this is invaluable 👍🏻

[@jacklowe1]

Probably the best video you have done in a while. Educational. And makes a difference to the usual just fitting car chargers.

[@thesteelrodent1796]

Thanks, John, for explaining the need for proper polarity. Here in Denmark we don't have polarity on our electrical system. Everything is still wired according to the proper ISO polarity, but double-pole (or four pole for 400 V) breakers have been a legal requirement since 1975, and were used for several years before that, so it's not something we consider a big deal. It's still important to pay attention to it in old installations that have single pole breakers, but there are luckily very few of those left that have yet to be replaced - since our regulation require, that whenever you do anything that requires making changes to the board (like adding a circuit or replacing the breakers) the whole board has to replaced with one that complies with current regulation - it's a pricey rule, but ensures you don't pull more out of the board than it was designed for. One criticism about this test, though: NEVER trust the colours of the wires, especially when fixing DIY installations. And although you explained how a ring works and should work, you also succeeded in explaining why they're a terrible idea, which is the reason no other country uses them, or allow that high a rating on such a thin cable.

[@okaro6595]

In Finland there is polarity all the way up to the socket. There is a custom to put the phase on the right but it really is not an error to do it otherwise. All breakers and switches are naturally on the phase. In the UK system polarity really matters as the plug has fuse on the live. If you get a ground fault on a device it would completely bypass the fuse and the protection would be up to 32 A the breaker if you had no RCD. Alternatively on a short it could blow the fuse on the neutral and it would remain energized. Not a nice thing if the short was caused by a water spill.

[@Rockspencer12]

Amazing video-idea and execution! Educational and entertaining as always, guys.

[@artisanelectrics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheXeroid]

Excellent video. John is an excellent tutor and explains things clearly. Reuben is cooking on gas too. One thing, whoever out that washing machine drain next to the DB, wants shooting. One blocked drain away from a lot of hassle.

[@raymondburke1261]

Really good information. John, your good at explaining things and you have patience….a rare quality these days..👌⚡️

[@graemescott990]

Well done John and Reuben that was a great teaching episode both from the material and the way that John mentored Reuben.

[@jason2508]

From this video I decided to check one of the wall sockets I replaced 3 years ago. One of the wires were loose. Potentially a life saver. Thanks guys

[@simonmiddleton4977]

Great to see Rueuben’s progress 👍😃

[@2391Sparks]

Good skills young man, you’re already better than 50% of testers out there. Keep hold of that knowledge, it’ll earn you decent money in the future. Also nice to hear a sparks quoting GN3 (0.05 ohm disparity on conductors of the same size), not enough people know that..

[@sukhi17]

Great video 👍 Huge amount of knowledge you guys have! I definitely learnt some things from this video! 👌

[@artisanelectrics]

Happy to hear that!

[@kittsdiy]

6:25 fun fact in Germany/holland/Begium we don't have polarized sockets.. L on the left or N on the left is both ok . Also you can reverse the plugs in Germany/Holland ( shucko) in Belgium we have earth pin .. buth double insulated appliences you still kan put it in both ways . And even more fun fact ..in Belgium we still have a lot of grids 3X230V .. so in a socket you have no neutral it's L1 & L2 .. of L3 & L2 etc .. ( also main reason why we all have use double pole protected brakers .. so on both wires fused )

[@Ragnar8504]

Correct polarity is vitally important if the BS1362 fuse in the plug is needed for fault protection, i.e. in circuits without RCD protection. Otherwise not so much if you follow basic safety precautions like unplugging floor or table lamps with Edison sockets before replacing lamps, particularly since EU Edison sockets from the past 60 years are reasonably safe even with reversed polarity, there's only a small metal spring that connects to the lamp's thread if the lamp is fully inserted, the threads in the socket are plastic or ceramic. I always laugh when I see Schuko socket testers that indicate "reversed L-N polarity" - well, just flip the sodding thing 180 degrees and the fault's gone!

[@kittsdiy]

@@Ragnar8504 good luck with that in Belgium.. we still have a lot of grids 3x230v.. so no neutral. . Is also the reason why double pole ( with protection on 2 poles ! Not an neutral mechanical connected to live contact ). Also new regulations here in june... all sockets / lights on 30mA rcd. With a max of 8 on 1 rcd.. ( before all on 1 main 300mA ..bathroom om 30mA ) And yes my tester always says wrong.. I always do L on the left.. N on the right. we have pin earthing.. we cannot rotate the plug like in holland or germany.

[@Ragnar8504]

@@kittsdiy Yes, I know, plenty of older 3x230 V supplies in Belgium. I had to find my way around the basics of Belgian electrics years ago when someone showed up on German electrical forums searching for an explanation of the installation report on his newly bought house in Belgium. Basically he wanted to know why his installation had failed and if that was dangerous. My French wasn't nearly good enough to understand the certificate at that time but I found the Flemish version of the form online and could make enough sense of the report to see that the main fault was an earth impedance exceeding 99 kΩ. I told him in no uncertain terms that yes, it was quite dangerous because that was just a very technical way of saying he had no earthing system in his house at all, even though all the sockets had the correct penaarde.

[@kittsdiy]

@@Ragnar8504 correct .. earth impedance has to be =< 30 ohm .. so when inspector checks and above 30 ohm it fails inspection ; We have to provide our own earth .. we don't get it from grid ( like in uk PME ? TNC .. )

[@geoffupton]

ok now we know reubens grasp of the force is nearly complete! absolutely awesome! 😁

[@RODALCO2007]

Great teaching for Reuben finding electrical faults in the kitchen circuit.

[@MsMelv1980]

Excellent job guy's, really happy to see you taking the time to teach your apprentices properly and in real world style situations. Great job keep up the good work to help improve our industry standards.

[@davidcousins5493]

Well done Reuben, good job, as for John, your just sneaky. Very good video guys, hopefully may safe a life.

[@omaximal0071]

Thank you once again, I'm about to do my fault testing on my course soon n this has been helpful! Specially when they talk about polarity!

[@davidclarke2513]

I have been an industrial electrician for 50 years and have NEVER had an incident were one leg of a ring has become overheated and I've had so many different faults on a ringmain circuits,I find domestic sparks are just too lazy to wire ringmains,they see more profit just running in radials and its so easy

[@kinkam5516]

is it me or does Jordan's consumer unit look a bit messy? LOL

[@djohnsto2]

No ring circuits here in Ontario, Canada - Good thing too, it's so easy for them to go wrong and pose a hazard without any warning whatsoever. That combo washer/dryer is pretty cool too - I've never seen that before.

[@razvanlex]

"That combo washer/dryer is pretty cool too - I've never seen that before." We have many models like that in Europe, usually they are not that good than separate models. Many new individual dryers are heat-pump based, I have a Samsung model in grey colour, matching the washing machine.

[@Bringitohm]

This video is spot on . Wish this was available when I was learning but at least it’s here now for others . Good work as always lads

[@artisanelectrics]

Appreciate it!

[@iainmcdougall3628]

John, Reuben, bang on the money with the theme of video that should be produced. Post watch, “are budding electrician viewers better off from watching” YES.

[@drwizzle]

Fair play. Reuben has grown in charachter and knowledge so much with you guys. Great to see some fresh blood learning the trade and also great to learn new skills with these vids. Keep up the excellent work and I can see Reuben going places.

[@Steve_W471]

Excellent video, well explained, well demonstrated.

[@jedisith25]

Well done guys! That’s a great way to teach next generation electricians about the dangers and importance of electrical safety!

[@leelipinski4667]

Brilliant video. Have to admit, as a qualified sparky I have done most of those boo boos at some point but the point of double checking is 100% important. Thanks for sharing

[@NBundyElectrical]

great video guys

[@artisanelectrics]

Cheers bud!

[@jonathanblankley3546]

They even simulated the DB to look lashed in :)

[@jonathanblankley3546]

Great video. Nice to see Reuben's progress over time. Perhaps he could tidy up that DB to Artisan standard? 😜

[@mathman0101]

Excellent video would love to see John do some of the extra tests in GN3 how about a floor and wall insulation test? Not really done in a residential setting but worthwhile for people to see it.

[@pwaelectricalltd29]

Good video guys. Keeping the public informed 👍

[@jf723]

That was excellent. I am new to the trade and really those faults very useful to know.

[@MrDrewmcfly]

Excellent job, this definitely helps apprentice in open worls problems train them correctly and they will be a dam good spark

[@mohamedsiadabdille7631]

That is really enjoying fault finding is great and I am really enjoying thanks thanks for your time appreciate that

[@tm2204]

Brilliant video. Learned a lot from this 👍

[@jboomhauer]

Very good content! Had no idea about some of these! (I'm not an electrician, but have changed sockets, lights etc. at home)

[@artisanelectrics]

Always good to know, that's the scary thing all of these are hidden other than the tripping light.

[@scottishsparky7927]

nice idea demonstrating how many different faults there could be and how easy it is to make a mistake! good video

[@thedodger1387]

great set of faults . Lucky lad to have such a teacher

[@pbarnfield]

Great video this to highlight to both DIYers and also Electricians. I'd go as far to say that some "qualified and competent electricians" could learn a lot from this. Maybe even the guys who have been to my own house to resolve a couple of issues over the years and install a new Shed CU..... not once did I see any of them use a torque screwdriver on the MCB's and RCBO's! Good job I went and checked the stuff for my own sanity with my own torque driver as much of it wasn't tight at all!! This is why I prefer to do most things myself where I can, and get someone to check it. Just shows how things can be "wrong" without even realising!! I too had a Live Neutral reverse which I found on garage spur after testing with a basic plug in tester - didn't realise the full consequences of such wiring until more recently. Simple mistake to make I guess, but it all worked fine. Reuben - you'll go far buddy, great fault finding!!

[@marymadigan9707]

Nice one Reuben you have a great teacher nice one guys 😎🇮🇪👏

[@matthewseymour8972]

A really slick, and entertaining video... great stuff

[@The_Real_Pope]

Who’d have thought a “neat or not neat” reveal of Jordan’s consumer unit would be that birds nest!

[@Spark101.]

Brilliant video…..i like you 2 lads. This is a great way to learn.

[@artisanelectrics]

Cheers!

[@NathanKaler-y2m]

Cracking video - very educational and full of useful tips. More videos like this please guys 👍👍👍

[@johnparker2636]

Its never a waste of time to watch a video like this.Thanks

[@4addevelopments139]

Studying to become an electrician and been taught to times by 1.67 didn’t know you could decide by 2.5 then times by 1.5. Thanks!

[@Ragnar8504]

It's not really any easier though, just easier to remember (because L and N are 2.5 mm2 and the CPC is 1.5 mm2). 2.5/1.5=1.67.

[@dretrodealerakasparkz5406]

Reuben is going great guns, I’ve apprentices who wouldn’t have a clue on faults let alone testing, even though you get them hands on and trying to get them thinking about it they are clueless, well done on getting him to engage u should be proud of him! Consultants on most jobs (commercial) expect to see the CPC’s split in accessories forming part of a ring ie High integrity and i always make the boys do so on any ring final, if one cpc becomes loose or damaged the socket still has a chance to remain safer until discovered/sorted than no earth. IMO of course its open for discussion

[@MyImperfectEcoJourney]

Great video guys. This is why I employ an electrician for any electrical work now and never do it myself.

[@artisanelectrics]

Cheers John

[@jessiepooch]

Helpful and informative,thanks.

[@fattoamanowoodwork3638]

Thank you for this guys, really really helpful for me that I do very basic maintenance always leaving the important/potentially dangerous jobs to a qualified electrician. This make me realise even better the importance but also provides me with valuable tips if I want to do simple faceplate swaps or simple jobs that can end up being very dangerous or fatales in my rentals. Thank you

[@busman2000]

This is a very good episode from your videos. Hopefully there will be a reduction in house fires and electrocutions. You are so right. You can not see, hear or smell or feel electricity. Unless there is something going wrong.

[@martinburgess2322]

Well executed Ruben 👌John knows his stuff good teacher 👍😀

[@dobplastering8410]

Great video really enjoy these sorts of videos really helps thanks !

[@michaelcostello6991]

Very clear presentation

[@AngelaPeters-fy1tc]

Great video really enjoyed it. Well done Reuben you will go far and beyond with your methodical approach and with yer man john teaching you the theory in the real world boys a dear this blue speck will be your oyster.

[@patkaskrisztian8486]

Nice job, guys! It should be practiced in electrician schools, too.

[@WitheredPancake]

Hey John, Reuben stole your screwdriver whilst you weren't looking @ 8:50 :)

[@delrey-p]

More employers/companies need to do this with their apprentices. Its a great way of making good sparkies!

[@renowden2010]

Suggest you get Reuben to teach John how ring main circuits work. I don't think John's description at 11:00 is correct. The power doesn't "choose" which way to go, it goes both ways at once hence the lower current throughout.

[@deang5622]

This is correct.

[@tobysherring1369]

eFixx do a really good demonstration of current flow in RFCs. They show that current doesn't flow equally in both legs unless the load is exactly half way around the ring. A socket near the CU will draw most of the current through the shortest leg - a path of much lower resistance.

[@renowden2010]

@@tobysherring1369 yes, that is a much better way of explaining it.

[@anthonywilliamson915]

Well Done. Your going to make a great electrician. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@philipsmith0752]

well done Reuben, Jordan and John for teaching him

[@artisanelectrics]

👌

[@l3d-3dmaker58]

loose connections are truly one of the most dangerous fault when wiring something up, had a family member lose $5000 in electronics because the main breaker's neutral was loose and arcing, its so quick to use a torque screwdriver and get it right, but cowboys do dodgy stuff and possibly put your life at danger. luckily im an electrician, replaced the breaker and torqued it down proper to the 2.5Nm it requires (AND even worse, it was 3 phase 380v, completely burnt the neutral terminal, insides were completely melted and didnt operate anymore + the cable was also melted, no a fun saturday night)

[@Ragnar8504]

Oh yes, loose neutrals in three-phase or split-phase setups can be quite nasty! My granny had that happen one Sunday. There was a splice in the line from the meter (outside) to her fuse board and the neutral had come loose in that junction box. If I remember correctly, it even formed a high-resistance connection with one of the neighbour's phases, causing them to go through main fuses like crazy. Not a dead short but enough to blow 20-amp fuses pretty quickly with any loads on in the apartment.

[@thomasthompson9130]

Great video keep up the good work

[@raymondgarafano8604]

u guys r bloody awesome! damn good too! in the U.S. the black or ungrounded cond. goes to the center contact of a bulb socket so as to keep power away from user as compared to having the screw-shell live as it would be much easier to touch and if standing on a concrete floor, the use would light up. YET it freaking works so, yes it is important to know that wiring MUST be done in a certain way, and that is according to the code and the consumer needs to know that wiring codes are in effect to protect the wiring and property.

[@elchapooo6668]

Love the way the boss is laying down legs up hahah

[@BiohazardX9]

proper learning - very good

[@kieranblackburn3465]

7:21 why is the washing machine drain pipe next to the mains power supply

[@davehunter6920]

excellent work Reuben

[@Liam_Hirst]

Seems like a top lad does Ruben. Top apprentice

[@SteRumbelow]

8:50 We saw that, Reuben! 😂

[@piotrlobacz]

That's Jordan's house and cooker switch and extractor fan switch are less than 100mm away from hob. 😮

[@geordish]

It’s a rental, so he probably can’t change too much about it. I do wonder what his landlord thinks of that wall outside though!

[@stevedavis770]

There doesn't look to be an earth connection to the back boxes either.

[@steveksi]

Excellent Video... People think if it aint broke, leave it alone. Kinda like paint. Oh, it is not pealing, it is fine. You just might not see the damage.

[@cedard5388]

More teaching videos like this 👏

[@user-fw5tr8ht1e]

Love to see how close that washing machine drain is to the fuse board.

[@robertturner2516]

Great coaching session.

[@szaki95]

Someone's got a very messy distribution box, it's definitely not made by Artisan Electrics :D

[@artisanelectrics]

😬

[@MS-Patriot2]

Trades own houses are rarely an example of their skill. They’re too busy fixing other peoples places for the money 😎

[@szaki95]

@@MS-Patriot2 I know :D

[@Joey-JoJo-Jr.64]

I find the UK’s use of a ring system at low voltage within dwellings to be very interesting. This post explains it very well. Hello from the colonies ✋🏼🇨🇦

[@mike-ology22]

I'm.a plumbing and heating engineer and as a kid before being qualified in anything I knew what live neutral and earth was. I've never wired a plug wrong. However, I find light switches confusing with com and line. Because they don't state what wire should go where. Especially double switches. Sockets are easy. Most English people know how to wire plugs and sockets. However foreigners doing DIY, that may be a different matter. Great video though and Reuben has his head screwed on. Great work

[@bradh2066]

The argument here being once you’ve wired your socket… HOW do you know it’s okay?

[@canisferus]

Very cool episode!

[@motivationhero7]

Great video, though Jordans consumer unit is surprisingly messy.

[@OraEtLabora0]

🤣8:48 'CREEPY 🤏 nicking driver' on the scene in 3, 2, 1, GO! 🤣

[@JohnMyer999]

Great video kept him thinking 🤔

[@faycal261]

What’s the trousers that Ruben got on ? I’d love a link please

[@artisanelectrics]

Blaklader!

[@peteglass3496]

As well as on the consumer units, do you all now use torque screwdrivers for the sockets on basic ring circuits, spurs etc.? If so, what torque setting for each cable size? Ta.

[@simonmaverick9201]

Those neon lamps on some fused spurs can be a pain in the neck when testing too.

[@havoctrousers]

Was that a BG garage unit in Jordan's house! After all those times he's been snotty about them too!

[@alvina69]

Great video… Reuben’s a credit to the company 👍

[@michaelthomas6398]

Well done, Reuben👏🏽

[@davesmith6065]

Jordan’s board was very untidy! I would have expected neater from mr artisan😂

[@TheOmegaRiddler]

Probably because he's constantly working on it.

[@tobysherring1369]

I believe he rents the property so it's not exactly his.

[@MichaelB-wm5cg]

Or Buy a Jackery and have uninterrupted power when the Artisan guys come around. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@phillipbaker3860]

Nice job Reuben

[@petergravy6893]

The ring circuits sound a bit dodgy, as if a break causes possible over overload of a cable.

[@johnroberts6251]

Shall we play the game of 'Neat or not neat' on Jordan's consumer unit!!

[@martincawley31]

Who installed the Washing Machine/Drier with the waste outlet so close to the CU?

[@VintageProjectDE]

Electrical engineer here from Germany. As for the training: If that's how you're doing it on a regular basis then hats off to you! That's an awesome exercise and worth a lot more than all the papers you can hand out. Reuben seems like the kind of electrician I'd welcome to my sites any day. And I will definitely watch back to this fault finding process when I'm having my next site acceptance walk. 😉 Re: EICR: That's a great procedure to keep installations intact and maintained. We have a very similar procedure here, but from my own experience I'll have to tell you that domestic installations (and most commercial ones, too) will only go through that once in their lifetime - on the day of commissioning. It is mandatory, but who cares, right? There are a lot of hidden faults like the ones you demonstrated here. Speaking of faults: I can say that only 4 out of the 5 would have been an actual fault here. As far as I know we do not have strict rules for polarity as far as portable appliances are concerned. They usually are built in a way where polarity doesn't matter except for the odd EMC issue. It is good practice to at least wire sockets the same throughout a house or building, swapping L and N wouldn't be a major problem unless you have really old appliances that connect Neutral to the case or metallic surfaces. Anyway, never rely on a switched socket. They are not a suitable method to isolate appliances.