Cuttings in propagator.

Having one of these little socket testers is always a good thing, you might find its the socket with L and N crossed over ?
Socket Tester

For under a fiver would get one of these as well.
Axiom Plug-in Timer

 

I'd definitely change the timer. Just check that the sensor is not just detecting the presence of a metal wire, by switching things off at mains, then repeat on the "live" cable.

 

Yes - a single pole switch just cuts the Live as in a light switch
A double pole switch cuts both Live and Neutral

Have you tried plugging the LED lamp directly into the mains?
Switch it on for a minute, then switch it off and see if you can still see the faint glow

 

I have a Socket Tester, I did quite a lot of re-wiring when I moved at this house, it's very handy to check all is well.

 

Its all starting to cost more than the actual light did

I think you have hit on something here, I just put the plug into the extension that I'm using without the timer, and it still glows, so it's obviously not the timer that is causing it.

 

I hesitate to say, but could it be the extension that's got faulty wiring? If the earth isn't earthed, and therefore is floating at a different voltage, you'll get current even when the live is unconnected. Try the light directly at a mains wall socket.

 

I'll have to unscrew it and take it indoors to do that, just looked at those test plugs and they are not in stock at my local toolstation, but even so, they are more expensive that the light I bought.
But it must be something to do with the wiring to my greenhouse which is pretty ancient to say the least.

 

It's running on an rcd which doesn't trip so I've always assumed the wiring was OK.

 

Not necessarily. Older RCDs had a higher trip setting. I had a lot of trouble when the older RCD for my greenhouse and pond didn't trip, but the one in my new house switch board did. So it took out my freezer as well.

 

Could you bring the light into your house and plug it into a mains socket on the wall?
See if the same thing happens

 

That's what I suggested @Pete8 ! I wouldn't be surprised if the extension is iffy

 

Pete, there are quite a few Test Plugs on Amazon, some under £10.
This one is £15 and looks very good

 

I managed to get one of those test plugs at screwfix this morning, cost just over £8 but it immediately pointed out the problem.
Somehow, about 20 yrs ago when I ran the cable to the greenhouse I managed to get the live and neutral around the wrong way.

Its worked fine all these years until I plugged in an LED, amazing.


Thanks all for your suggestions, its now sorted, and for all those that have said from the start it was a wiring problem thanks again.

I've been running a 2kw fan heater on it with no problems and a heating cable.
I remember when I was at work if they wired motors up the wrong way round they ran backwards, but my heater fan has never run backwards.

 

I'm sure we are all happy on this forum that you are now safe, I'm not sure if you are sound though

 

Oh dear @pete , what with your chainsaw accident, and now electricity, I think you ought to watch out as the garden is fighting back!