Fitted a replacement dimmer switch for a lady yesterday, restored the power, switched on the dimmer, no lights came on. Checked the connections, re read the instructions, tried again, no lights. Puzzled handyman.
Just then the lady brought me a cup of tea. "Having problems" she asked. I explained that the lights wouldn't come on, although the switch was correctly wired.
"When the dimmer switch failed it left the lights on, so I took the bulbs out" she said.
Doh! Moral of the story, dimmers only work when bulbs are present.
Installed a washing machine & dishwasher today, both wired into FCU's in a brand new house. Checked plumbing for leaks, all OK, didn't switch either on as they were both full of bits, samples of powder etc & it was late.
Got a call from the lady while on the way home, neither machine would work.
Got her to check the CU & make sure power was on. Assumed that the FCU's didn't have any fuses in. Felt stupid for not having looked, but they always come with fuses surely?
Just about to turn around & go back when I hear her husband in the background saying "do you think these switches on the wall marked 'washing machine & dishwasher' should be on"?
Moral of the story, check before you leave :-)