Tracing hidden electrical main wiring

[xoggoth]

Darn it! Now I need to trace a mains wire.

One of my sockets just failed while the fan heater was running and checks show the neutral is not connected. Usually that's due to a poor connection causing burn out but there's no smell of burning anywhere.

Wish I'd kept all one of my old signal generators when I gave my old electronics junk away. Have to try one of those Maplin things.

[Contreras]

Buried wiring from a wall mains socket or switch should always be routed straight up or straight down. Once it reaches floor space a cheapo tester is unlikely to help.

I'd probably start by visually inspecting all other sockets in the vicinity for clues, including rooms above/below. This is assuming you've already checked the wires are not live rather than it being a faulty socket. Can also check for continuity on the earth and neutral back to the consumer unit, if so then disconnect stuff until the continuity is lost. Not going to comment on the star configuration. TBH, if you need to ask...

[RSoles]

There's a socket tester you can use to check if it's only one wire broken.

Mains Socket Tester | Maplin

Might be of use before you connect a sig gen only to find the live is fully functional.

[Contreras]

There's a socket tester you can use to check if it's only one wire broken.

Mains Socket Tester | Maplin

Might be of use before you connect a sig gen only to find the live is fully functional.

The socket tester is an excellent tool for sanity checking an installation. But everything it does can easily be done with a multimeter and a little knowhow, which you would hope a DIY electrician has already.

[xoggoth]

There's a socket tester you can use to check if it's only one wire broken.

Got one of those from Workzone, shows various faults. Also got a multimeter. I am fairly techie and it's definitely only the neutral that is not connected. The fault is not in the socket or its local connections unfortunately.

[xoggoth]

Bah. Spur from socket on other side of wall with crappy connection.