Rcd Switching Off

[OlivierS]

Hello,

A few minutes ago my RCD went off, without being able to put it back on again.

I've then removed all the appliance from the plugs, switch off all the fuse (not sure if you say fuse) from the main board, apart from the ground and first floor lights. Lights were working all fine.

I then switched on the 'fuse' from the main board, one by one, and had random results ; but mainly, the RCD was going off all the time after 1 to 40 seconds.

I then decided to remove the ground floor lights 'fuse', as I've installed 2 new lights (one outside, and one in the entrance) yesterday : see topic 27137-help-ceiling-lamp-not-switching-off-or-not-at-all (can't post link as I haven't posted 10 times yet ...)

Note that both lights have been working fine ...

But I was able to set my RCD back on, with all the sockets on and 1st floor lights on ...

So, I suppose the problem is with my ground floor lights. How do I find the problem? And what's the RCD use?

Thank you !!!

 

[Andy™]

you find the fault with an IR tester

 

[ProDave]

Well you mention an outside light.  Has it been raining much?

Has it been installed properly to prevent water getting in?  Is it actually rated as an outside light?

As above, insulation tester will tell you if you have leakage fro L or N to E

 

[Sharpend]

Damp getting into outside light terminations?

Pinched cable in fitting or switch?

Retrace everything you have done and double check connections.

Did you not say that the original outside light hadn't worked for a long time? Perhaps there was a fault existing that has gone unnoticed until you've disturbed it whilst fitting new components?

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Or wired between two circuits?

Live from lights..

N from elsewhere ??

:innocent

 

[Murdoch]

Questionable competance of the installer?

The delights of adding stuff to RCD protected circuits!

EDIT:

I wonder if this has anything to do with it:

http://talk.electricianforum.co.uk/topic/27137-help-ceiling-lamp-not-switching-off-or-not-at-all/

 

[OlivierS]

Questionable competance of the installer?

Yes !!!

But in fact, the problem was linked to another DIY project I was doing ...

While screwing a little piece of wood in our utility room, a screw went into an electric cable ... (I thought you couldn't have horizontal electric cable in the walls in UK ...). I guess I'm very lucky it didn't get worse than that !

Is there any tester to check electric cables in the walls ?

Thanks

 

[Blue Duck]

Insulation resistance tester!

 

[Andy™]

Yes !!!

But in fact, the problem was linked to another DIY project I was doing ...

While screwing a little piece of wood in our utility room, a screw went into an electric cable ... (I thought you couldn't have horizontal electric cable in the walls in UK ...). I guess I'm very lucky it didn't get worse than that !

Is there any tester to check electric cables in the walls ?

Thanks

never assume anything. cables can go horizontally or vertically from any accessory. along with a few other places

you can get cable detectors, but they are not completely reliable