I have a socket in the kitchen, there is live power to it but when you plug anything in they just wont work, I have also replaced the whole front but still the same.

allen, January 2010

Please note that as time goes by ALL screws tightening wires get loose by the current itself and by the difference in temperature in the wire. So a bit of tightening with special ATTENTION helps to keep the circuits running.

Lino Gatt., February 2010

thanks to all you guys for your answers, turns out it was the neutral wire that had worked loose in the first socket of two linked ones, although that socket had not been touched for years. Invaluble help from you all.
Many thanks.

allen, January 2010

I agree with Jim. It sounds like a broken neutral wire. And like jim said please be careful. A neutral wire is only neutral if it is not broken.If you touch a broken neutral wire you will get the full monty (240V).

Gary, January 2010

Hi.allen you say that the socket in the kitchen is live but will not work any aplience for you ,firstly is the socket joined from another socket , if so check to see if it is working, if so , then the fault has to be between this socket and the faulty one , if there is a live feed to it then the fault has to be in the nautral wire from the good socket to the faulty one , BUT please REMEMBER electricity KILLS , it wont wait for you , please be very carefull if in dout please consult a quaulified electrician ,hope this helps

jim, January 2010

How did you test it?, did you use a socket tester ?

Bob, January 2010

There may be a break in the Neutral line at the defective socket itself or more probably at another socket close by on the same ring circuit.

Take care...

Peccavi, January 2010