28/10/2026
Was here to investigate a case of power tripping when the electric supply to the water heater is switched on.
My investigation process usually starts with checking the water heater for any visible corrosion, followed by the wiring for any damage. When these are inconclusive or I want more supporting proof, I will disconnect the wires to the heater either at the heater or at the junction box, before switching the power back on. If it doesn't trip, usually the issue lies with the water heater, if it trips then it's something else.
For today's investigation, I found an "isolator" instead of a junction box which makes investigation easier. So I switch that off and proceeded to switch on the power to see whether it trips; it did. I opened up the isolator to find the wirings bypassing the connectors; the isolator is truly non functional due to this negligence.
Today's lesson is for those of us in this trade, as well as people keen on self-fixing - always test live wires with a test pen, do not assume electrical components to be functioning as they should because you are at the mercy of the last person who connected it.
I have had previous experience of being shorted and fell off my ladder.
