UK Spur blowing RCD

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

I'm trying to connect a spur to an existing outlet but when I use an appliance on the spur socket the rcd trips.

I've tested the rcd and it has 19 amps capacity which is as expected.

I've also tried connecting to a different socket on the same rcd and it also trips.

What I don't understand is if I use the exact same appliance on the internal socket it doesn't blow.

I've also tried using a different external socket but the same result.

I've connected the socket with a heavy duty cable and so that the original socket has three wires in each of live, neutral and earth.

Any ideas?

Cheers

harv · Sep 8, 2021

msteel9999 said:
Nope. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking the question

Just wandered why an electrician (someone with the specialist knowledge and test equipment) wouldn't test the cable/socket to at least identify if not rectify the issue.
Insulation resistance testing requires either an Insulation Resistance tester or a Multi-Function Tester with this function, something an electrician should have at their disposal.

ipf · Sep 8, 2021

Get back on to the electrician. He'll know a lot more than anyone on the internet having an educated guess.
What's he checked?
I'm doubting his existence to tell the truth.

DPG · Sep 8, 2021

msteel9999 said:
Nope. Otherwise I wouldn't be asking the question

ipf said:
Get back on to the electrician. He'll know a lot more than anyone on the internet having an educated guess.
What's he checked?
I'm doubting his existence to tell the truth.

Oooh you sceptic!

timhoward · Sep 8, 2021

msteel9999 said:
Also I should have said if don't use the I ternal socket and plug into outdoor socket it works

Tell us what the two appliances are.
Does it only trip if both are plugged in at same time, in any sockets, or are there other circumstances it trips.

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

Appliances are kettle (indoor) and electric drill (outdoor). I didn't test any other scenarios

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

msteel9999 said:
Appliances are kettle (indoor) and electric drill (outdoor). I didn't test any other scenarios

As I had to disconnect outside socket and put electricity back on

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

These are the connections in external socket

[ElectriciansForums.net] Spur blowing RCD

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

msteel9999 said:
These are the connections in external socket
View attachment 89805

I'm just thinking if I hook up the external socket to a plug and then test with an extension lead that would eliminate the external socket and the wire being the issue.

timhoward · Sep 8, 2021

Get some earth sleeving - please!

telectrix · Sep 8, 2021

is "Shirley the electrician" a forum member?

timhoward · Sep 8, 2021

msteel9999 said:
I'm just thinking if I hook up the external socket to a plug and then test with an extension lead that would eliminate the external socket and the wire being the issue.

The last useful thing you can do is try the kettle plugged in inside, and the drill in an additional inside socket. If that trips, then nothing to do with the wiring.
If not then you have done all you can do without getting in a good electrician who has and knows how to use a multi-function tester (these costs hundreds of pounds)

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

telectrix said:
is "Shirley the electrician" a forum member?

No

msteel9999 · Sep 8, 2021

timhoward said:
The last useful thing you can do is try the kettle plugged in inside, and the drill in an additional inside socket. If that trips, then nothing to do with the wiring.
If not then you have done all you can do without getting in a good electrician who has and knows how to use a multi-function tester (these costs hundreds of pounds)

johntheo said:
Any tripping if you plug in the drill indoors and switch on?.
Are you getting 230V L to E and (practically) 0V N to E on the outdoor socket

Doesn't trip when both inside. I will test L an e outside

timhoward · Sep 8, 2021

While I agree conceptually with the tests, I'd have to advise that the outside socket is not reconnected until earth sleeving is added both ends.
I'd also have to advise that using a multimeter to do this test is rather dangerous with no earth sleeving in situ (unless it has GS38 compliant test leads).