my rcd keeps tripping?

Question

with the washing machine and lighting computer ect...

Answer 1

If it's split busbar consumer unit it could be earth leakage in any one or a number of circuits or appliances. The only 'real' way to find the fault(s) is to isolate all cicuits and megger the wiring. However you may be able to identify the main culprit by UNPLUGGING all your appliances and plugging in each one untill it trips again, but you could easily be fooled if there are two or three leaky items. The usual items are cooker elements, kettles and steam irons. It WONT be anything that is on a two core flex, ie, TV, stereo, etc

Answer 2

Rcd Keeps Tripping

Answer 3

You will need this inspected by a competent electrician.

The washing machine and lighting circuits should be protected by a separate device.

The lighting circuits should be protected by an MCB (miniature circuit breaker) while the washing machine and related sockets could have the RCD fitted for protection.

You could certainly try unplugging every appliance in your house and then refit one at a time. The normal fault with tripping is an appliance that has a heating element, ( kettle, iron, washing machine, cooker etc) and the earth fault occurs when the element expands during heating up, so the aforementioned trial is not guaranteed to show the fault immediately.

You could persevere trying to trace the fault, but would recommend you call in an expert as the wiring in the house could also be the cause of your problem.

Answer 4

Usually different items such as these would be on different circuits, presumably you have a distribution board with the circuits listed on, ie lighting, sockets, if there was a faulty appliance say or light fitting only that circuit should trip. If your Distribution Board has an RCD this could be caused by a faulty RCD, it could be related to power surges and may be worth checking with your elec supplier if there are problems in the area. Have you experienced problems with lights dimming or flickering, another thing causing power surges could be an intermittent neutral cable which I came across recently which caused things to blow and trip out.

Answer 5

I understand that you have opened the consumer unit (fusebox) and found a line of circuit breakers which you switched off then switched on the main rcd switch then one at a time you switched on each circuit breaker till you came to the one that made the rcd trip off again . Which was the one controlling your light circuit ? yes? Good you have narrowed the fault down to the light circuit now you need to make sure you have all the light switches off and see if you can switch on the the breaker controlling the lights without tripping the rcd. if you can then switch on each light switch on in turn till the rcd switch trips again , which would show the light that is causing the fault , it could range from a light fitting to a fault in the wiring , but if it only happens when you switch on the one light that is good as it shows most of the circuit is ok . if you have outside lights at all they are pretty high risk of causing a fault as water or dampness can cause the rcd to trip. other causes can be faulty transformers in low voltage light fittings (usually 12 volt halogens, ) also remember that if you have a fan in your bathroom it will probably be connected to the light circuit , as will the shaver socket so ask yourself if you have been having any problems with them recently , and have you replaced a light fitting or anything like that , .an rcd will trip if there is an imbalance in the live current and neutral current measured in the circuit so something as simple as a neutral conductor touching earth will trip it . Also small chance of rodent chewing one of your lighting cables could trip it have you noticed any mouse droppings in your attic or house ? good luck in your search for the problem , but it looks as if you have a good methodical mind so you should have a good chance at solving the mystery. Good news is that if you can still use your sockets you can plug your table lamps in etc so you are under no great pressure and can take your time in searching .

Answer 6

RCD's trip when a fault occurs. leaking current to earth. It will not trip if you overload the circuit, like a fuse or other circuit protective device.

Therefore you have current leaking to earth. You could experiment by keeping all equipment switched off, until you actually use it, and then see what trips the circuit. Otherwise, get an electrician. Remember that it is illegal to do it yourself these days, as well as dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Be safe.

Answer 7

probably the washing machine, RCD's (Residual Current Device) notice the tiniest of earth current leakage and trip out in response.

this can cause a problem with older equipment as small earth fault currents are fairly common.

you will need to try to locate which item is causing it. leave the washing machine unplugged when not in use and see if you still have the problem, if not then try each item until you find which one causes the trip.

i wish you Good Luck and Patience, you have the hardest type of fault to locate.

Answer 8

To find out what's doing it:

Switch everything off

Reset the trip

Go round the house switching everything on one by one

When the trip goes, the last thing switched on did it

Then get an electrician - electricity is best left to the professionals

Answer 9

then you have a problem... possibly seriously dangerous

DON'T just keep resetting it

try to find what actually trips it. Are you over loading the sockets?

are the sockets new; or damaged.

unplug the wires and check for any mechanical damage, unscrew the plug covers and check for frayed wires.

be safe - if in doubt call an electrician, the might not be cheap, but it's not worth killing yourself for!