Two Phases in One Socket: Unexpected Power Outage, USB Modem Issues, and Voltage Measurements

Hello,

Today something happened that I never expected. I turned on the computer as usual, but something modem connected via usb did not respond. So I disconnected the cable from the computer's USB port and then the power supply to the room was cut off for a while. I thought the temporary power outage was due to some external fault. I restarted the computer and the same thing happened again - no internet. I pulled the plug out of the port again and this time the power didn't come back.

It turned out that I have a phase in both holes (I check it with an ordinary phase meter - a screwdriver with a light bulb glowing when there is a phase in the socket). The voltage between the wires is 10V ... TN-C network, so only 2 wires, so I have no way to check the real voltage on each of the wires, because I have no mass. Tomorrow, I think I'll call a professional, I hope, not an "expert", but if anyone has encountered a similar problem, I am asking for help ...

I would like to mention that only in 2 rooms such miracles happen. In the bathrooms, kitchen, hall and another room, everything is fine. Lights, in turn, work in all rooms.

Thank you very much in advance for your help
Regards
Damian

Possibly broken PEN.

Hello. No "zero" - N. And the fact that the phase element shines on both holes is a delicate insulation breakdown. These phase detectors are very sensitive.

I understand that in the case of a PEN interruption, the location of the interruption and repair are not an option for a layman with only an SEP certificate up to 1kV, a willingness to learn and no specialized measuring and repair equipment.

In general, interrupt PEN smells like hammering in the wall to me... I hope I'm wrong.

On the other hand, if the PEN was interrupted, I would have the same problem in every socket in the house, so it's probably not that...

rnb_bolii wrote:

Hello. No "zero" - N. And the fact that the phase element shines on both holes is a delicate insulation breakdown. These phase detectors are very sensitive.

Insulation breaking...
In the absence of PEN, it shows the phase through the receivers.

BTW, I do not advise using the installation with a damaged PEN and call an electrician as soon as possible

Quote:

Hello. No "zero". And the fact that the phaser shines on both holes is a delicate puncture of the insulation.

I agree with my colleague that zero has fired somewhere, but I would not scare with insulation breakdown, the "phase" is on because it is closed by some connected device.
A multimeter is enough to check, but to measure AC voltages above 250V, usually the smallest ones have a range of up to 750V, but it's better to warn.
However, if you do not feel up to it, it is better to call a professional.

Hello!

Quote:

Hello. No "zero" - N. And the fact that the phase element shines on both holes is a delicate insulation breakdown. These phase detectors are very sensitive.

Where does the name "phaser" come from?
In this type (old installations) there is no N conductor. However, there is one conductor acting as a protective and neutral conductor.
The fact that the indicator shows the presence of a phase on both contacts of the socket is due to the loss of continuity of this particular wire (as one of my colleagues wrote about) and not to damage to the insulation.
This is a very dangerous and dangerous fault, because in the presence of sockets with a protective contact in such a circuit, voltage appears on this contact. And consequently, this voltage will also appear on the housings of receivers made in the 1st protection class to these sockets connected,
So, paradoxically, what it is supposed to protect in such a case threatens to be electrocuted.
So find an electrician to locate and remove it as soon as possible.
And do not value the appearance of the walls above life.

melersan wrote:

On the other hand, if the PEN was interrupted, I would have the same problem in every socket in the house, so it's probably not that...

It could have caught fire in a junction box or an adjacent outlet.

melersan wrote:

In general, interrupt PEN smells like hammering in the wall to me... I hope I'm wrong.

Not necessarily. Maybe it's enough to clean the ends or shorten as there are stocks and reconnect.

"Phazowiec" - that's what we called such a tester in a screwdriver. And I didn't mean to puncture and damage the insulation.

Thanks for the replies, tomorrow a specialist will take care of it and let you know what it was

Regards
Damian

PS I pulled the PEN from the working socket into the room and measured the voltage of both wires in the socket. Both wires in relation to the pulled-up PEN have 230V, if that matters

melersan wrote:

Both wires in relation to the pulled-up PEN have 230V, if that matters

The fact that you measure in this way does not mean that there is a phase on both wires. Checking a regular bulb against a PEN would certainly clear things up.? I'm sure an electrician can handle it.

So this morning I sat down and figured it out on my own :)

it turned out that at the entrance to the box there was a broken PEN wire under the insulation, so I didn't notice it before. It was probably damaged, more current went and the break was ready. A bit of forging in gel-concrete and it's so nice.

Thank you very much for your interest and answers

Regards
Damian