19/02/2026
A recent client called telling us that he had no power and that he was smelling like something was burning, so we had to go check to make sure he and his family were safe.
Upon arrival, the smell of burning plastic dominated the area and upon further inspection we noticed that the neutral (supply end) was totally burnt down. So burnt down that it imbedded itself into the plastic db. This is something that happens when you have a loose neutral end.
To our amazement, while replacing the main MCB we noticed that some wiring was not connected as it should be. Four MCBs feeding 4 seperate circuits from a total of 9 were connected direct onto the main MCB. Yep, before the safety device (RCD) and that's why the neutral failed.
We had to gently remove everything and reconnect everything in the right order with what we had. Client contacted us in the late hours saying that now the RCD tripped when he switched on the AC, showing us that there is a fault at hand which needs further investigation. The RCD did not trip before as the circuit was connected directly onto the main MCB.
This HOC was recently done, including the electrical installation by a 'licensed professional'. We are uncertain if he actually made the installation himself or hired someone else to do it, what we are sure about is that we had to check all the panels in the house making sure our client and his family were actually safe.
A lot (and I mean a lot) of the installation (just in the DB panels!) was not up to standard. It's enough if I say that the 3ph OVR unit was placed in the DB and not even connected, with the relay bridged forced close (probabbly they did not know how to connect it) without the client knowing.
When hiring a professional to do some jobs you require, make sure he/she and their team are actual professionals. This was a matter of time until a disaster stroke this home. Electricity can kill instantly, or burn your house down in a blink of an eye.
