Ground floor lighting trips out mcb

Biggy · Dec 27, 2018

Hi everyone,

My first post but straight in with a couple of issues.

I'll start with a 6amp MCB that keeps tripping out relating to ground floor lights.
For your info:

There is 10 x 3w led recessed lights in Kitchen, 8 x 3w led recessed lights ,plus a main central Led light (approx 100watt equivalent ) in the room next to the kitchen and then the same amount of lights and Main central light in the Back room. I would say the combined wattage including two outside lights (40watt each) will be around 480w so let's call it 500watt on the ground floor.

From my understanding a 60w bulb draws around 0.5amp so in effect 30 of the 60w bulbs (around 1800watt combined ) would require a 15amp breaker which would be comfortable, so based on this theory is the 6amp MCB actually overload on 500watts on Ground floor and this tripping the breaker .

The breaker does not trip immediately as can take 5-10mins sometimes longer, and in some instances it has tripped even when ground floor lights have been OFF.

The joist spaces have all been insulated with rockwool if this makes any difference as I want to eliminate any possibility before I start questioning my electrician who advises that maybe I should fit a 15amp breaker in as he feels 6amp is less power for 30 odd lights .

Can anyone shed LIGHT on this

I'll come to the second issue after I can get a solution to this.

Sorry for the lengthy explanation but I know there's nothing more frustrating than not arming knowledgeable people will full info and expecting solutions. Hope I've not missed anything out.

Hope to get a few responses and guidance as I have basic understanding of electrics.

Thanks

Midwest · Dec 30, 2018

Biggy said:
Midwest, I have replied to your post with a link to the type of led they are. I don't know what you mean by how they are switched ( not on a dimmer if that's what you mean ) . Also I am trying to reply by quoting in responses but when I do I can't see the option of posting the reply so have to just reply at the end of the posts.

Thankyou to each and every one of you for your input.

My thinking, it’s a bit of a long shot, is if you have too many LED fittings control by one switch, the momentary high inrush current can trip an MCB. I think you’ve mentioned the mcb tripping when the lights are off?

Using nails as cable clips, is a bit unconventional, blow back to the past!

You should allow your installer a chance to rectify things. That’s what his Scheme will expect, before investigating anything, if they do at all. Building Control will not carry out any inspection, but might refer you to trading standards.

In the first instance, see what your installer suggests on rectifying theses faults.

Toneyz · Dec 30, 2018

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[ElectriciansForums.net] Ground floor lighting trips out mcb

@anthonybragg the light fittings themselves aren't covered with insulation ( I guess you mean fire rated covers by that ) . The wiring is simply fed into connector blocks from ceilings and the led have a brown and blue wire only which have been connected to the block also.[/QUOTE]

What I was referring to was if the fitting/driver/transformer is covered with insulation it burns out this sometimes ends up causing a L-N short tripping the MCB. You say they aren't so hopefully that can be ruled out.

Biggy said:
The electrician himself works for a company and was recommended by a colleague at work so I went with him purely on a recommendation.

Let's not be too hasty n blaming the electrician it may well not down to a workship issue.

Pete999 · Dec 30, 2018

anthonybragg said:
]@anthonybragg the light fittings themselves aren't covered with insulation ( I guess you mean fire rated covers by that ) . The wiring is simply fed into connector blocks from ceilings and the led have a brown and blue wire only which have been connected to the block also.

What I was referring to was if the fitting/driver/transformer is covered with insulation it burns out this sometimes ends up causing a L-N short tripping the MCB. You say they aren't so hopefully that can be ruled out.

Let's not be too hasty n blaming the electrician it may well not down to a workship issue.[/QUOTE]
Workship issue??

Toneyz · Dec 30, 2018

Workmanship, Some people on here are getting too pedantic on spelling, grammar and punctuation and are taking the enjoyment out of coming on the forum. Yes, I can take it from you, Pete, as I know your only jesting and we both know each other but others are not on here.

DPG · Dec 30, 2018

I hope my comments regarding apostrophes are not causing offence

Pete999 · Dec 30, 2018

DPG said:
I hope my comments regarding apostrophes are not causing offence

You'll soon know DPG.

Toneyz · Dec 30, 2018

DPG said:
I hope my comments regarding apostrophes are not causing offence

No, you could see it was in jest. It is other members picking on other members weaknesses.

richy3333 · Dec 30, 2018

^^Whos with the NIC (NICEIC)? The installer or the guy that tested? If the installer then you should be able to claim under the NICEIC guarantee (platinum promise). The NICEIC also don’t allow 3rd party ‘signing off’ of work.

Toneyz · Dec 30, 2018

As we don't know the reason for the MCB tripping I would want the electrician (preferably with his mate with the test equipment) to come back urgently. Being it trips not instantaneously you may not know what is arcing away somewhere.

Pete999 · Dec 30, 2018

anthonybragg said:
No, you could see it was in jest. It is other members picking on other members weaknesses.

You would think so wouldn't you, there are other reasons though.

Toneyz · Dec 30, 2018

Pete999 said:
You would think so wouldn't you, there are other reasons though.

Such as?

w0z · Dec 30, 2018

Pete999 said:
What I was referring to was if the fitting/driver/transformer is covered with insulation it burns out this sometimes ends up causing a L-N short tripping the MCB. You say they aren't so hopefully that can be ruled out.

Let's not be too hasty n blaming the electrician it may well not down to a workship issue.

Workship issue??[/QUOTE]
Didn't the OP say all of the lights were working? If the driver was fubar I doubt the lamp would work.

telectrix · Dec 30, 2018

anthonybragg said:
Workmanship, Some people on here are getting too pedantic on spelling, grammar and punctuation and are taking the enjoyment out of coming on the forum. Yes, I can take it from you, Pete, as I know your only jesting and we both know each other but others are not on here.

this is a workship.

Pete999 · Dec 30, 2018

anthonybragg said:
Such as?

telectrix said:
this is a workship.
View attachment 46794

And this is a workshop, so yore starter for 10 is, which one is correct?

Pete999 · Dec 30, 2018

Pete999 said:
And this is a workshop, so yore starter for 10 is, which one is correct?

Sorry you're before anyone hits the "bad spelling" button, see I'm not drunk. Yet when I am I'll stop posting.

Ground floor lighting trips out mcb

Biggy

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Midwest

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Toneyz

Pete999

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Toneyz

DPG

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Pete999

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Toneyz

richy3333

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Toneyz

Pete999

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Toneyz

w0z

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telectrix

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Pete999

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Pete999

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