Last night I was wiring up a new socket in the kitchen, the wiring was correct because I had the new wires connected in a chocolate block while the plaster around the switch box set and everything worked fine.

Once the plaster had set I connected the new switch up and turned on the electricity. Everything was fine until I plugged in the kettle into an existing socket and I heard a fizzing noise. I went to turn the electricity off and noticed the fizzing was coming from behind the main fuse box and I could also see sparks. I re-checked the wiring in the new switch and everything seemed fine but i gave a bit more slack in the wire and screwed it back up, now everything seems fine.

What I would like to know is:

a) Why was my fuse box fizzing
b) Shouldnt the fuse wire in the fuse box have blown? It had 30amp fuse wire in it, is this the correct size?

Dave Eyes, July 2007

To be honet i really dont know but i have read some article about boilers and how to install it

Check http://www.qssupplies.co.uk/Boilers/380.htm
this might help

Taf Member, October 2008

Basically confirm chris` answer. Qualified sparky for twenty-two years; and it would be my opinion that you need to have this installation tested & inspected. Further, a kitchen is classed as a "special location", and must only be added to / altered by a professional who is registered with one of the governing bodies. suggest using niceic website to find local sparky qualified to undertake work. It`s not worth your life mate.

Martyn, August 2007

A 30 amp fuse will not activate at 30amps its fusing factor is 1 and a half times that of the fuse, the current carring capacity of ring main cable usually 2.5mm is 18 amps per leg so you are looking at trouble,please get it checked before it too late.

carl, August 2007

Dave ..... Seriously I would contact a local electrician who will sort this out for you. You have basically invalidated your house insurance by carrying out electrical work in your kitchen and should only be carried out by a Part B qualified electrician. If you have fizzing coming from the distribution box then that is a severe fire risk! I have seen a couple of houses that have been severely damaged through fire because of the exact problem you are having. Turn the main switch on your electric to off and contact an electrician asap please.

Chris, July 2007