Alpha combi tripping rcbo

[Rocboni]

Having a few issues with our alpha boiler 4years old, had a bit of bother with it last year in the back end towards summer, no issues over summer months, now the cold weather has started, its started tripping again. Then again no heating has been on over the summer!

Recent consumer unit change, from old dorman smith series 17 with dual RCD, never had any issues with it tripping those.

The boiler is virtually right next to the consumer unit,16A rcbo 2.5mm twin and earth down the back of the wall behind C/U under the floor and back up clipped direct into a FCU, flex out to boiler, 3 amp fuse. Cable insulation test is clear.

Controls are wireless so no faults with control wiring.

The boiler does not drip when firing up, having a shower ect, we usually just go to the tap and have no hot water, to find RCD tripped.

Has anyone had similar issues, read a few post regarding condensation dripping into flue stat?

Thanks

 

[Rocboni]

All I did. Was simply renew the cable to the boiler fcu, no big deal.

I know that when I swapped RCBO s the issue transferred from one circuit to the other, the circuit for which I swapped the suspect RCBO then started to randomly trip even though the circuit was not being used, so I am pretty sure that it is not the circuits.

 

[Octopus]

All I did. Was simply renew the cable to the boiler fcu, no big deal.

I know that when I swapped RCBO s the issue transferred from one circuit to the other, the circuit for which I swapped the suspect RCBO then started to randomly trip even though the circuit was not being used, so I am pretty sure that it is not the circuits.

So this doesn't need any testing and you claim to be a trainee?

 

[Rocboni]

Well yes it does, however it is my own home so I am prepared to take the risk that a brand new piece of twin and earth 1M long, completely in sight does not have a fault.

I do not claim to be a trainee, I am a 2nd year electrical apprentice.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Well yes it does, however it is my own home so I am prepared to take the risk that a brand new piece of twin and earth 1M long, completely in sight does not have a fault.

I do not claim to be a trainee, I am a 2nd year electrical apprentice.

least you found the fault mate and come back to update your thread . Obviously the RCBO from what you've said and not the 1meter long bit of flex. At the end of the day its better being on the RCBO than a circuit breaker as you don't have test equipment.

 

[Octopus]

Well yes it does, however it is my own home so I am prepared to take the risk that a brand new piece of twin and earth 1M long, completely in sight does not have a fault.

I do not claim to be a trainee, I am a 2nd year electrical apprentice.

One of the best ways to learn fault finding is by investigating faults - and as this was your own home, couldn't you borrow a MFT from your employer and do some tests......

 

[Rocboni]

What could I expect to see on a MFT when testing the faulty RCBO, tripping below 30mA?

I am looking to purchase a MFT

 

[Octopus]

What could I expect to see on a MFT when testing the faulty RCBO, tripping below 30mA?

I am looking to purchase a MFT

I would ramp test the rcbo to see what the device trips at , a 30ma would typically trip around 23ma, I would check the trip times at x1 and x5 and also ir the circuit properly.....

 

[Last plumber]

If you've not tested, how have you proved you've not put RCBO on another circuit with a fault ?
The boiler ran all summer without tripping it. Now the heating Is back on its tripping again.
How has this ruled out a boiler fault ?
I do get what you're thinking is but I personally would want proof.

Unless I've misread the thread, if I have I apologise in advance.

 

[Rocboni]

The other circuit wasn't tripping it's own RCBO. Now the circuit is with the RCBO that was on the boiler even though the circuit hasn't been used, I suspect the RCBO would trip even without anything connected to it.

 

[Octopus]

"Suspect" that's just carp. If you want to be a competent spark then you need to buy a MET and learn how to use it, and interpret the results.........

 

[Last plumber]

I'm with murdoch on that one. I do see your logic but in my opinion and experience it's always better to be in the habit of 'knowing' why something's happened. You may very well prove that your suspicions were correct and that's good. Proving It will prevent you from leaving something you shouldn't. It also allows you to sleep at night. In addition to those, it stops someone else finding and showing you were wrong.

Just friendly advice. Some habits are good !

 

[Croppie]

Sounds like a bit a pain in the arse, I wouldn't fancy paying a plumber £££ to poke around aimlessly in the boiler. Does the installation method/location of the boiler require it to be RCD protected?

After the amount of advice you have received over on ukpf you still come out with cretinous statements like that, Lee? I despair with you.

You need to be competent to remove a boiler case because, 99% of the time, removal constitutes gas work as the case actually forms part of the combustion seal.

Being a qualified electrician does not make you competent in this instance. Being a gas safe registered engineer does.

 

[Leesparkykent]

And mean while Croppie back in the real world..........

 

[Rocboni]

At the end of the day, it's my house, my boiler and I'll do what I like with it, wouldn't be the first time I've repaired it, won't be the last (electrically)

Were not talking about me going out fixing other people's boilers playing about with gas ect, I'll take the risks with my own home.

 

[Croppie]

And mean while Croppie back in the real world..........

In the real world you're wrong, and you have neither the wit nor the wherewithal to realise it.