Constant Tripping Of Domestic Board Rcd

[boingboingbaggy]

The kettle, microwave and fridge freezer keep tripping an RCD. The upstairs sockets are fine - plugged in lamps work even when plugged into an extension lead from an upstairs socket. However when I plug in the kettle to the same extension lead it trips the RCD. The same applies to the microwave and to an integrated frigde/freezer. Each item I plug in trips the RCD -even when using an upstairs socket.

Any suggestions?

 

[Badger]

yes id say your heating elements gone to earth youll need them pat testing to be sure though.

 

[Theorysparky]

all three items trip the rcd ???

is there only one rcd  for the upstairs and downstairs sockets ????

are you always using the extension lead ????

not sure its the kettle if the microwave and fridge freezer do it aswell ?????

more info needed I think

 

[ProDave]

Get those appliances PAT tested. A competent electrician will be able to do that, and test the RCD.

It could also be there is something else in the house that has some leakage, but not enough to trip the RCD, but then a tiny bit of extra leakage from those appliances tips it over the edge.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

No where near enough information to make a diagnosis...

1/ Are you the property owner or an electrician trying to diagnose the fault? as your profile says yours skills are "commercial" and its not posted in the DIY or Q&A's section..???

2/ How old is the consumer unit (Fuse Box)? has it been recently replaced? 

can we have a photo of the fuse box to see the RCD arrangements?  Single.. split load etc..

3/ How long has the fault been happening?  only just started or being going on for weeks?

4/ How old are the appliances?

5/ you mention the fridge freezer tripping the RCD... so how is this working during the rest of the time?

I presume it is generally plugged in somewhere 24hrs a day???

6/ It could be one item say fridge/freezer for example with a small leakage current then another item with another small leakage current causing the combined current to exceed 30ma...

7/ It could be all appliances are perfectly OK.. but there is a section of cable that is damaged making intermittent contact with earth..

such as cracked, trapped or melted insulation.. that when the higher power appliances are switched on a leakage current flows..

8/ I would suggest that the first investigative actions would be 

8a) a full insulation resistance test done on your circuit cables..

8b) a PAT of the suspect appliances... 

8c) full trip time tests of the RCD...

the results of which should point you in the right diection..

9/ any other stuff I forgot to ask that someone else will post shortly....!

10/  Welcome to the forum...

Guinness

 

[kerching]

And 11)

has any work been done on the board recently and a neutral mistakenly got connected to the wrong N bar?.......slim chance i know BUT the 'fiddling Fairy' visited one of my jobs at a weekend recently and caused all manor of mayhem

Just.  A F slim chance

 

[Theorysparky]

Have you put any pictures up recently above sockets ???

had that last week,, IR readings poor until I took the picture hook out !!!!!!

 

[Doc Hudson]

Any external wiring, lights or shed supply, spurred off the same circuit, with cables or boxes on walls getting very hot and soft insulation with our abundance of sun during this heat wave.

Doc H.

 

[sparkytim]

Look for a N to E fault. these will trip RCD when ANY current flows in the faulty circuit so gives appearence of multiple appliance faults  when  ANY load is drawn.

 

[boingboingbaggy]

Hi

The problem was eventually solved! There was a L to E fault in a socket in the hallway. Probably due to me pulling the socket away from the wall when I decorated a month ago. I obviously didn't double check the connections when i screwed it back together.

It still doesn't explain why, when I just plugged in the fridge/freezer to the extension lead that I ran from upstairs that it still tripped MCD. But at least I'm now sorted.

But thanks for all the advice.

Regards,

BoingBoingBaggy