What steps could i make to detect a live earth wire?

If you are not an electrician then the laws do not apply! Anybody can diy electrics but they will not comply with regulations. You can not be prosecuted if you are not an electrician. However if somebody gets hurt you may be charged with manslaughter or worse.

I will agree with t that it would be best if you called an electrician, as being an electrician myself i can not grasp how you found you got a live earth wire. Do you mean that the rcd has operated? If you have a flourescent fitting they can break down over time with heat generated in ballast part and cause an earth fault. If not I would suggest checking for moisture ,burning or wire shorts in and around fittings and switches, but make sure that the circuit is turned off. I will not accept responsibility if you hurt yourself or others.

Mike
February 2008

Get an electrician in before some one is killed. In addition if you are in the UK it is not legal to DIY circuits in the kitchen - for obvious reasons.

t
February 2008