Be Excellent To Each Other

Hmm. The spare room light just blew, which flicks the switch for the upstairs lights in the fuse box. I've flicked it back to the "on" position but we're still not getting any lights upstairs. What the hell is going on?

edit: Just to clarify - it isn't switching back to "off" again. It's firmly in the "on" position but we're still getting nothing.

Look for an additional switch, set to "off", sometimes in the middle of the fusebox, labelled "RCD" if it's labelled at all.

Edit -- wait, that's not right, if the RCD had tripped you'd have no power anywhere in the house. Uhhh.... not sure.

Yeah, checked that, it's on! Argh!

Swap another fuse in. It might have actually blown

Easier said than done. I took the cover off the box and decided it was beyond my capabilities.

Unlikely, but sometimes the fuse blowing also blows the lightbulbs. Though, as stated, unlikely if there's multiple light fittings.

You'll probably just need to replace the fuse.

I assume by fuse you're referring to MCBs, right? And if so, aren't they generally best replaced by an electrician?

Try another bulb in the spare room, even if its just borrowing one from another fitting to prove it. It's probably the bulb, its really not likely to be the mcb. If you're renting and it doesn't work after switching the bulb, call your letting agent rather than trying stuff you're not comfortable with.

Would removing the bulb entirely not to do the trick, Gilly?

If the lights are working downstairs, take one of those bulbs and try it upstairs. Rule the bulbs out first.

Didn't work any way!

edit: @TheVision - yeah it's not the bulbs, just tried a working one.

I don't do domestic stuff so fault finding on lighting circuits isn't a strong point but I would first try tripping and resetting the breaker again and the RCD if there was one, then trying the lights. If its an old house check for another board somewhere just in case, my house has three although they are grouped together. Then I'd try switching each light individually and resetting the breaker each time. Then I'd isolate the power by tripping the breaker and check inside the switches and light fitting for loose connections. Then I'd restore power and test for voltage at each point to identify the problem area.
As I said though, if you are uncomfortable with any of that, call someone.

I'm uncomfortable with all of that, because it sounds like a lot of hard work.

I'll ring the lettings centre tomorrow and they can pay for it. I shouldn't have to pay for a sparky for this kind of thing, should I? In the meantime, we have to shower in the dark because our bathroom is windowless. Wish me luck!

Use a candle. It'll be well romantic, like.

I'm looking forward to getting the lights back on and discovering that I've been missing the toilet for two days.

My little switchy things don't reset if you move them back to "on", if have to switch them to fully off ( shorted is in the middle ) and then back to on. Try flicking them fully up and down a few times.

I that doesn't work, call Joans.

No, this could be right, the latest edition recommends two RCDs.

Also check what Squirt said - some MCBs need to be pushed all the way down before they'll reset, I suspect it's that.

Tried all of that malarky I'm afraid!

Hmm, odd. Well, either the MCB is bust or it's tripping as you switch it on due to a fault still being present. (that can allow the switch to be in the on position while the contacts are 'off').
And I think Gilly suggested how to find that already - switch off all the lights at their wall switches and then try resetting the breaker again.

Six hours, BeeX, I am disappoint.

I don’t know a huge amount myself but your issue looks to be in the fuse box or maybe there is a problem with the wiring going back to your lights, or as has been said you might have another fuse switch between the main one and your lights.

I wouldn’t been keen to tackle any of those issues without really knowing what I was doing.

Can you sign up to HomeCare for the electrics, wait 2 days then call them in?

I'm renting, so I shouldn't have to pay for it anyway. Rang up this morning but still waiting for the incompetent cunts to get back to me.

You get what you pay for, I guess.

Ange must be a right cheap arse.