Use this link to view REAL LIFE STORIES on the Electrical Safety Council's website.

Read these local case studies to find out why testing is so important!

Case study 1- Cricket Meadow Bridgnorth

Problem: Customer held a valid installation certificate for his electrical installation however  when the gas service engineer was called  to service the boiler he could not carry out the service because the customers consumer unit (fuse board) was fitted directly below it.

Solution: Lengthen cables and relocate consumer unit to meter cupboard. Visual inspection revealed no concerns regarding the household electrical installation.

Testing:  Lighting circuits failed testing. Further investigation revealed that although earth wires were present they were not connected to the consumer unit.

Hazard: Electric shock and fire risk.

Hazard: Electric shock and fire risk.

Case study 2 - Brignorth Road Higley

Problem:  Customer moved into their new house that held a valid periodic inspection and testing certificate.  The RCD kept tripping randomly.

Solution: Test  RCD. This revealed that the RCD was faulty. The RCD was an old type and could not be replaced. A new consumer unit was recommended and fitted. Visual inspection showed no main earth conductor was present. BE SURE arranged for EON to install PME connection.

Testing: This revealed many faults two of which are shown.

These were found under the floor of the living room. the white connection blocks should be housed in an enclosure. Hazard: Electric shock and fire risk.

This is a live cable which was found in the bottom  of a kitchen cupboard.  The grey pvc  sheathing has been eaten away by rodents. The cable found in the bottom of the cupboard was at child level and could have delivered a 32 amp shock. (It takes 0.05 amps to stop your heart) Hazard: Electric shock and fire risk.

Case study 3- Bridge Road Alveley

Problem: Family away on holiday only to return and find the house has been flooded by a burst pipe in the loft. Before the drying machines can be temporary installed the electrical installation needed to be checked.

Solution: Test all of the circuits. It was found that only two circuits were safe to be left working and so the rest were disconnected. The central heating circuit had to be rewired to allow heating to the property.

Testing: This revealed many faults some of which are shown below.

Plug socket in lounge by the TV. The black neutral wire was not connected.  Hazard: overloads cable so that the cable becomes a fire hazard

This is a picture of the cables that connected the kitchen lights. The earth wire (green) was not connected. This could not be seen until the plasterboard was removed. Hazard: Electric shock.

This is a double socket found in the kitchen. The live cable has a clear break which has been covered with tape. Hazard: Fire

This is part of the central heating circuit. It was found behind the plasterboard near a kitchen socket. The burnt connection has been caused by poor connections. Hazard: Fire and electric shock

This was part of the circuit that powered the fridge. The neutral has burnt out and the earth wire is not connected. Hazard: Electric shock and fire.