Fault on socket circuit

[Grant McLaren]

I am puzzling over an intermittent fault on a ground floor/kitchen socket circuit. Initially it seemed as soon as the oven switched on the RCD would trip. However, after unplugging the oven, I used a socket tester on other sockets, which would sometimes trip the RCD. It's pretty random, sometimes it will trip as soon as you plug something in, other times not. Zs reading were fine. The ring main has been broken, although the earths are still continuous. From what I saw, the socket circuit has not been done well.

When I left the property yesterday everything was on, but I'm waiting for a call from tenant to say it's tripped again.

Any thoughts on what it could be and why it has suddenly started now?

Regards.

 

[DPG]

WTF are you banging on about?

 

[Rpa07]

We did bring you to task about this last week @elsparko and you said you'd stop.
Its like the alter ego that we all want to put in a box and bury in the garden!
We know where you live (we actually don't but just wanted to sound menacing!)

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

Well this is bay far the longest thread I’ve observed here. Ran out of popcorn some time ago too.
OP, did you get to the bottom of it?

 

[Deleted account]

What was the original question?

 

[Octopus]

What was the original question?

Translated it said

"customers RCD is tripping - help"

 

[EbolaSideRoom]

Bay far?
By far.

 

[pirate]

I like some off-topic stuff, including cartoons...but maybe the "Off Topic" thread is a better venue for them?

On a different theme, man said today, as I asked him some questions about rewiring this building...
RFC or radial?
Go with RFC
OK, cooker circuit? separate circuit?
Yes, every day.
Fair enough...
I'm thinking 10mm, but with diversity could be 6mm, however, cost isn't an issue so I'll go with the 10mm.
What's diversity?
2.5.mm rfc x 3 for sockets?
Yeah, whatever...
Clipped direct? We are plasterboarding 12mm but there will be 300mm insulation, so keep it clipped direct to joists?
Oh, it won't matter, we're throwing in a load of rcbos so they'll take care of any problems, just carry on.
1mm or 1.5mm for lighting?
Oh, whatever you've got handy will be fine!
Now, you all know I am not an electrician, but I am happy to lay in the cables and sockets and light fittings etc.
however, and I may have this totally wrong, but wouldn't you calculate the cabling and loads, then specify the protective devices, rather than think "Hmm...RCBOs? They'll cover everything!"
OK, they have to be sized accordingly, but I kinda thought the circuit design was the most important element. I mean, we won't go far wrong with 2.5 for sockets and 1 for lights (they will all be LED) and 10mm for the cooker (2 ovens and 5 rings...don't know the rating yet) but it's a 10m by 10m building, single storey so no fancy stuff...
Apparently, this kind guy is going to inspect, terminate the circuits and issue certificates, so why should I worry? It's a charity, and we are very lucky to get his input. Just concerned...
probably shouldn't be...I'll lay the cables, do the sockets. let him test...
or should I be concerned?

 

[elsparko]

I like some off-topic stuff, including cartoons...but maybe the "Off Topic" thread is a better venue for them?

On a different theme, man said today, as I asked him some questions about rewiring this building...
RFC or radial?
Go with RFC
OK, cooker circuit? separate circuit?
Yes, every day.
Fair enough...
I'm thinking 10mm, but with diversity could be 6mm, however, cost isn't an issue so I'll go with the 10mm.
What's diversity?
2.5.mm rfc x 3 for sockets?
Yeah, whatever...
Clipped direct? We are plasterboarding 12mm but there will be 300mm insulation, so keep it clipped direct to joists?
Oh, it won't matter, we're throwing in a load of rcbos so they'll take care of any problems, just carry on.
1mm or 1.5mm for lighting?
Oh, whatever you've got handy will be fine!
Now, you all know I am not an electrician, but I am happy to lay in the cables and sockets and light fittings etc.
however, and I may have this totally wrong, but wouldn't you calculate the cabling and loads, then specify the protective devices, rather than think "Hmm...RCBOs? They'll cover everything!"
OK, they have to be sized accordingly, but I kinda thought the circuit design was the most important element. I mean, we won't go far wrong with 2.5 for sockets and 1 for lights (they will all be LED) and 10mm for the cooker (2 ovens and 5 rings...don't know the rating yet) but it's a 10m by 10m building, single storey so no fancy stuff...
Apparently, this kind guy is going to inspect, terminate the circuits and issue certificates, so why should I worry? It's a charity, and we are very lucky to get his input. Just concerned...
probably shouldn't be...I'll lay the cables, do the sockets. let him test...
or should I be concerned?

most domestic circuits can be guessed at regarding cable size etc, unless youve got some fancy appliances/heating system its fairly straight forward, the lights are either going to be 1 or 1.5mm, sockets 2.5 for RFC, probably get away with 6mm for hob/oven depending on loads/distance from board, id definitely be doing calculations on the hob/oven supply but 10mm will probably cover it

nothing stopping you from running your numbers through one of the online calculators to see if it draws up anything though

 

[pirate]

I guess that's the best idea elsparko...
TBH, it's not a huge building, 2.5 for sockets, 1 for lighting (or 1.5 if anyone donates it!) and just go with 10 for the cooker...don't sweat the small stuff, eh?
Oh there's a welder going in a corner of one workshop...nothing fancy,maybe 32A at board?
Just finished the water supply today, and it's looking ok, though I say it myself! Simple cold feed throughout, with a couple of POU heaters for the kitchen and workshops. No ceilings in, so it's all good for wiring too!

 

[MFS Electrical]

Why is it ridiculous? How is safer not to assume a broken ring?

Because it would be safer to carry out appropriate inspection and testing...

 

[MFS Electrical]

Besides, a single double socket has the potential to draw 26amps

Exactly, so why downgrade to a 20A protective device?