We were recently called out to a property in Hailsham after a potentially dangerous fault was highlighted during a meter change carried out by the electricity supplier.
While replacing the meter, the engineer identified concerns with the earthing arrangement and advised the homeowner to contact a qualified electrician immediately. Until that point, the issue had gone completely unnoticed.
What We Found on Arrival
On arrival, we carried out testing on the kitchen and all downstairs socket circuits. The results were clear and consistent:
👉 No earth present on any of the downstairs sockets.
With the fault confirmed, the consumer unit cover was removed for further investigation.
What was found inside the fuseboard was extremely concerning.
Around half of the circuit earths were not connected at all Several earth conductors had simply been pushed to the back of the consumer unit The main earthing conductor was incorrectly terminated to a single 2.5 mm² earth, which is wholly inadequate for a main earth An incorrectly rated circuit breaker had been installed, which could easily have allowed the unearthed socket circuit to overload Terminations were untidy, unsecured, and showed no evidence of proper inspection or testing
This combination of faults significantly increased the risk level of the installation.
An unearthed circuit is dangerous on its own. When combined with an incorrectly rated protective device, the risk escalates further — increasing the likelihood of overheating, fault conditions not being cleared, and exposed metalwork becoming live.
A Home With Young Children
This property is home to two young children.
That fact alone makes faults of this nature completely unacceptable.
Sockets are among the most commonly used parts of any home, especially in kitchens and living areas. In a fault condition, children are often the most vulnerable — and without a correct earth and protective devices, the risk of serious injury is very real.
Missed Appointments and No Follow-Up
The homeowner attempted to resolve the issue with the original contractor who installed the consumer unit.
Two appointments were arranged for them to return and inspect the work.
On both occasions, the contractor failed to attend and made no contact with the customer.
At that stage, the homeowner had no option but to seek assistance elsewhere to ensure the installation was made safe.
Why This Is Concerning
The original installer is reportedly well known on local community groups and is often recommended.
However:
They are not registered with a governing body such as NAPIT or NICEIC They do not trade as a registered electrical contractor Their work is allegedly being “signed off” cash-in-hand by a third-party electrician
This arrangement offers no real protection for homeowners.
When faults come to light — sometimes years later — the absence of certification, invoices, and accountability makes it extremely difficult to prove who carried out the work or whether it ever complied with regulations.
Protecting Yourself and Your Home
Your home is likely your biggest asset, and electrical safety should never rely on trust alone.
Before instructing an electrician, always ensure:
They are properly registered (NAPIT, NICEIC, etc.) They operate as a legitimate, registered business You receive written or emailed estimates You are issued invoices and electrical certificates Payments are made via bank transfer, not cash
If something goes wrong later, this documentation can be critical.
The Outcome
In this case, all missing earths were correctly terminated, the main earthing conductor was upgraded to the correct size, the incorrectly rated breaker was replaced, and the installation was made safe and compliant.
Had the electricity supplier not flagged the issue during the meter change — and had the original installer returned as promised — this dangerous situation could have remained unresolved.
Need a Trusted Electrician in Hailsham?
If you’re concerned about the safety of your electrical installation or need a qualified, registered electrician you can rely on, contact:
SLE Electrical Services Ltd
📍 Hailsham, East Sussex
📞 07429 379495
📧 sle.electrical@yahoo.co.uk
