We were called to a property in Filton, South Gloucestershire, to investigate an intermittent electrical fault. What started as a straightforward fault finding job led to the discovery of an old wiring box that had been concealed within the installation — likely left over from a previous rewire or alteration that was never properly decommissioned.
Hidden and abandoned electrical components are more common than you might expect in older properties. They can cause faults, create confusion during testing, and — depending on their condition — present a safety risk. Finding and dealing with them properly is all part of a thorough fault investigation.
What We Found
During the investigation we discovered an old wiring box that had been buried and left active within the circuit. Connections of this kind can deteriorate over time — insulation breaks down, contacts loosen, and what was once a functioning junction becomes a source of high resistance, arcing or intermittent failure. In this case, the concealed box was contributing to the fault symptoms the homeowner had been experiencing.
We made the connections safe, properly decommissioned the old box and rerouted the circuit to remove the redundant section of wiring. The circuit was then retested to confirm it was functioning correctly throughout.
Old Wiring and Modern Safety Standards
Properties that have been extended, altered or partially rewired over the years can accumulate layers of electrical work from different eras — some of it to a high standard, some of it less so. Abandoned junction boxes, old fuse boards left in situ, and unused cables left live behind walls are all issues we encounter regularly during fault finding and EICR inspections.
Current wiring regulations (BS 7671) require that all connections are accessible for inspection and maintenance, and that any redundant wiring is either removed or properly isolated. Leaving old connections concealed and unrecorded isn’t just untidy — it creates a fault-finding headache for the future and can compromise the safety of the installation. When we find issues like this, we always recommend resolving them properly rather than just patching around them.
Fault Finding in Filton & South Gloucestershire
We carry out electrical fault finding across Filton and the surrounding areas of South Gloucestershire and Bristol. Older properties in particular often benefit from a thorough investigation, as decades of alterations can leave behind hidden complications. Nearby areas we regularly cover include Bradley Stoke, Thornbury, Horfield and Frampton Cotterell. We also provide general electrical services across Filton, Bradley Stoke and Frampton Cotterell.
Got an Electrical Fault?
Whether you’re dealing with a tripping breaker, a dead circuit or something more mysterious, we can help track it down. We bring the right test equipment and the experience to read what the results are telling us — and we’ll always explain what we’ve found in plain language.
Get in touch via laelectrical.com to book a fault finding visit anywhere in South Gloucestershire or the Bristol area.
