my rcd is rated at 30ma! the area i live in has a lot of electrical problems! the electricity board says this is due to either birds or branches hitting the wires and we get a short break in supply, they have now fitted auto reset in the system, but quite often my trip goes, my wiring has been checked out and all is in good condition, will fitting a 100ma rcd sort this problem out? or any other sugestions other than moving house
2007-09-15 02:26:35 · 8 answers · asked by mjcandcah 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Birds and branches???? that's a new one. Faults or breaks in supply will NOT cause your RCD to trip, only earth leakage 'upstream' from your consumer unit will cause tripping. I have never heard of an auto reset domestic RCD, I take it that you mean auto reset in the sub-station after a supply failure?? Fitting a 100ma will not cure the problem, and will reduce the intended level of protection. I suggest that you contact an electrician to check the circuits/appliances insulation resistance, it must be low to cause the RCD to trip.
2007-09-15 03:47:02 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
So, an explaination is needed before you start. What is an RCD, how does it work, whats this 30 ma about????
In a perfect world, the current in the Live wire will always be the same as the current in the Neutral wire. Unless of course you or something touches either wire 'upstream' of the RCD, and 'diverts' some of this current to elsewhere(earth?). Then we have an imbalanced current, if greater than 30ma, then the RCD trips.
Assuming your RCD is indoors, not in some remote building, then birds &branches will NOT trip it.
There are 2 types of RCD,
Assume your RCD is indoors.....
Version 1 will trip on a Power Interuption (from outside) or a fault inside that creates the imbalance
Version 2 will only trip on fault, not on power interuption.
At least now you have a better idea what goes on.....
Assuming your wiring is in good order, what about your appliances????. Try unplugging everything, then one by one, plug the appliances in and run them (washing machine, cooker )whatever. Eventually, you will find the rogue.
2007-09-16 21:30:42 · answer #2 · answered by johncob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say you've had your wiring checked, but if it's by the same people that reckon it's the birds and the bees causing your problems then I'd be more than a little concerned. As for fitting an auto-reset in the system, they're just having a laugh!
A lot depends on what sort of system you've got. For instance are the supply cables over head?
Is the RCD tripping the whole house or just one or two circuits?
Next time it happens, switch off all the protected circuits.
Switch back on the RCD then one by one switch on each affected circuit. If one circuit causes the RCD to trip, then you'll need to unplug every socket or switch off every switch. Then one by one plug them in to see if one of your appliances is the cause.
Failing that, call in a proficient electrician to do a thorough test.
2007-09-16 06:07:52 · answer #3 · answered by nigel t 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do not say if the RCD is part of your main switch in your consumer unit or is it protecting an individual circuit or is it an RCD combined socket fitted in your garage. I would expect the fault to be caused by something that is plugged into one of your sockets. If it is a main RCD try switching of individual circuits until the unit stops tripping. This should tell you the circuit with the fault on it. You can then try and identify if it is an appliance that is plugged into a socket on the circuit that is giving you the problem. RCD units are for earth leakage protection (Residual Current Device) so you have an earth fault on either a circuit or an appliance that is plugged in. Fitting n 100mA RCD unit does not solve the problem. You are just giving the fault a chance to worsen before your protection kicks in.
2007-09-15 02:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, leave power on. The persistent tripping rather suggests that the RCD has become over-sensitive and needs replacing. A quick test by someone with the right gear will show if its flaky. Leave lighting off for now.
2016-04-04 22:04:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Midzer but rcd's can also get weak and will trip out for no reason at all, so if you can try a new one for a while then do that,rather than splashing out on one if you don't need it.
2007-09-15 03:11:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
30 Ma Rcd
2016-12-15 17:25:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the birds are the cause no.
2007-09-15 02:35:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋