Breaker keeps Tripping

[united4ever]

My Electricity breaker keeps tripping about 8 times a day It also happens in the middle of the night when we are sleeping, happens when we are out so times when we are not using electricity. Usually just a case of flicking up the breaker switch however this morning the switch wouldn't stay up (instantly switched down to off position) so for about 2 hours we had no electricity. Unplugged everything and kept trying to turn it on. After about 2 hours it stayed on though there was no obvious reason why.

Had a mate look at it who is a retired sparky - he tried isolating it and read the currents of the wires going into the breaker which were normal he said. Couldn't really solve it but thought it might be the breaker switch itself. Said to keep an eye on it and he could order a replacement switch.

Anyway, any experts got an idea what could be causing this? Also, if I want to get a professional in to sort it how does it work - do they come and give a quote to solve the problem no matter how long it takes or do they agree to work on it and charge by the hour until it's done. I'd like to know how much it will cost upfront and want it sorting once and for all.....but the guy who came round today spent an hour trying to isolate the problem and I can imagine a lot of it is elimination and head scratching - don't want to pay hundreds and then the electrician fob me off with some non solution.

I live in a 2 bed new build flat (4 years old). We don't use excessive amounts of electricity.

Thanks in advance

 

[robsparky1975]

Electricians do not scratch there heads,we are well trained to carry out all manner of works including fault finding and repair/replace parts where neccessary,that sort of fault maybe found witihin 10 mins or may take 2 hours.personally i would offer a customer the opportunity to have 2 hours at a fixed price to find the fault and repair(parts at extra cost),and in the unlikely event that not found/repaired then discuss the way they want to proceed.£50-60 labour.Retired sparky may not have the appropriate test equiptment anymore.

 

[PC Electrics]

Switch off the dish washer/ washing machine at the local switched fused control unit. This will determine whether or not you need an electrician or an appliance technician.

If this is a neutral to earth fault and the FCUs are single pole then this strategy may well be no help at all.

 

[Rockingit]

If an RCD has been tripping that frequently then it's probably on it's way out through over-use and needs to be replaced regardless. Some basic tests are needed here, but also is experience and judgement to interpret the results. And that's something I charge for. Fairly, but charged none the less.