Outdoor RCD Socket

[Ej74]

My outdoor socket has given up the ghost again after the weather.

All looks ok i can see the red light on (its very weak) test and reset do nothing. No power at all.

The fuse board has not tripped

Any suggestions what it could be ? could it be water ingress or am i better just replacing the socket itself ? would a cheap socket tester help ?

Thanks

[CorradoTDI]

Is there a fused connection unit the other side?

[Ej74]

Goes straight into the consumer unit
Everything else works inside no power loss etc

I will give it another go tonight as things may have dried out.

Its just strange that it worked one day and stopped the next

[Jambo85]

I don't think a socket tester will help you to diagnose this issue but I would certainly recommend having one if you dabble with this sort of thing - an excellent sanity check that you've wired up a socket correctly.

If faced with the same I would (carefully) remove the front of the socket and test the neutral and earth to live voltages on the back. If they are what they should be then it seems pretty likely that you need to replace the socket. Has it got a decent cover on it to keep rain water out? I'd look at improving that too.

[Ej74]

Sockets wired up correctly as it was working 2 days ago

I will remove the face plate and check the connections to see if there is any loose or if there was been water ingress failing that i will buy a new RCD socket and see if that solves the issue.

The problem is i just can't see the red RCD light bright enough which besides the point it should reset itself with a press of test or reset

Anyway no power will post up tomorrow results

[MDMA .]

Stupid question, but have you checked the trip on the consumer unit? I know some CU's are quite sensitive and a trip on the outdoor one could have tripped the CU.

Edit, just re-read and seen you say the board is ok. Ignore me

[Jambo85]

Ej74 said:

Sockets wired up correctly as it was working 2 days ago

Yeah - I meant for when you fit the replacement. (Although if I were a pedant I could ask how you know the earth was connected).

[Ej74]

A little dirty inside no signs of water
Don't worry powers off

Connected ok however red stays visible after pressing test button

Its to do with the CU as I reckon one of the breakers has blown

Edited by Ej74 on Wednesday 7th June 17:04

[Alucidnation]

It's fked.

Just buy a new one and be done with it.

[Ej74]

It did this before and the electrician got it working again.

I have someone coming tomorrow hopefully to look at it

It's just how do i determine if it's buggered or not....

If nothing comes of that I'll just pick up a new one as it's just a simple switch over

[Ej74]

Thebperson didn't turn up so I left work early today and armed with screwfix's finest started

1 x voltage tester
1 x outdoor rcd socket

So using the tester in the pin holes of the socket it only lit up in one pin only.

Took the back off and tested the live and we have voltage.

So 40 mins later sockets replaced and working with some sealant around it to stop any water.

Whoever said just replace it was right

Total cost 34 pounds and my time

Thanks