On Fri, 21 Sep 2012 22:02:09 +0100, hugh wrote:

I am a qualified, registered electrician ....

But doesn't understand that a N-E short will trip and RCD. Oh and on that
parasitic diybanter "forum".

Could it be that one of the appliances has the neutral linked to its
earth?

Or chippie has stuck a nail through a cable.

--
Cheers
Dave.