Hager RCBOs deciding not to hold

[Mr.Si]

Just had a hager 32a rcbo go on me today. Nothing wrong with the circuit, i think the internal latching mechanics have broken as it does not hold when disconnected totally and just sitting in my spares box.

Has anyone else had this sort of experience?

It's less than a year old and just in a domestic cu so hasn't exactly been under pressure... Makes me less happy with the brand.

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[pencilpusher]

I always use Hager when I can. I have never had that problem TBH. I am quite surprised too so maybe you just have a rogue one there.

 

[ringer]

Just had a hager 32a rcbo go on me today. Nothing wrong with the circuit, i think the internal latching mechanics have broken as it does not hold when disconnected totally and just sitting in my spares box....

What do you mean by 'does not hold when disconnected'? Rcds need power applied to hold latched closed (on).

 

[PC Electrics]

I've been using Hager 90+% of the time for about the last 3 years. I haven't yet had a single faulty RCD or RCBO. But a large manufacturer like Hager is bound to have a few go faulty in the field.

I had a chat with a Hager tech guy at a 17th Amend 1 presentation recently and he described some of the R&D and manufacturing controls that they use. My confidence in the brand is extremely high. BTW I'm ex automotive R&D for luxury manufacturer so understand most of the issues he described.

 

[Mr.Si]

What do you mean by 'does not hold when disconnected'? Rcds need power applied to hold latched closed (on).

As in when it's not even in the consumer unit, just in your hand. Flick it into the on position and it will stay there.

This one didn't. Doesn't need power!

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[ringer]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you are saying that with the rcbo in your hand i.e. NOT connected to a power supply, you try to switch it from 'off' to 'on'. You are expecting it to remain in the 'on' position, but find that it doesn't, instead the switch automatically returns to the 'off' position.
That is as would be expected. For a rcd type device, it is held on the 'on' position by an internal electromagnet. Without power being present, the electromagnet does not work and so it will not remain switched 'on'. Try putting the rcbo into a board and apply power to the board. You will find that the rcbo will now hold in the 'on' position.

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[UKMeterman]

Ringer, are you saying all RCDs drop out on mains failure? There are some that don't

 

[richy3333]

Im a Hager fan too. Expensive stuff, but you get what you pay for. 2 year guarentee so send it bsck for a replacement. Id speak to the Hager tech guys too - very helpful

 

[Mr.Si]

Im a Hager fan too. Expensive stuff, but you get what you pay for. 2 year guarentee so send it bsck for a replacement. Id speak to the Hager tech guys too - very helpful

Oooh that's useful to know, time to dig out the proof of payment.

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[HandySparks]

That is as would be expected. For a rcd type device, it is held on the 'on' position by an internal electromagnet. Without power being present, the electromagnet does not work and so it will not remain switched 'on'.

News to me mate. I think you're getting confused with some of the plug-in RCDs which are designed to drop out on loss of supply to prevent power tools, etc, starting when the supply is resumed. I don't know of any RCDs or RCBOs designed for fitting to a DB which need power to latch closed. If they did, householders all over the country would be having to re-set their RCDs and RCBOs on every power outage. (Maybe they are available as an option for some specific purposes.)

 

[spark 68]

News to me mate. I think you're getting confused with some of the plug-in RCDs which are designed to drop out on loss of supply to prevent power tools, etc, starting when the supply is resumed. I don't know of any RCDs or RCBOs designed for fitting to a DB which need power to latch closed. If they did, householders all over the country would be having to re-set their RCDs and RCBOs on every power outage.

I was thinking that handysparks, but thought I had missed something, and they were talking about a specific type.

 

[Engineer54]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you are saying that with the rcbo in your hand i.e. NOT connected to a power supply, you try to switch it from 'off' to 'on'. You are expecting it to remain in the 'on' position, but find that it doesn't, instead the switch automatically returns to the 'off' position.
That is as would be expected. For a rcd type device, it is held on the 'on' position by an internal electromagnet. Without power being present, the electromagnet does not work and so it will not remain switched 'on'. Try putting the rcbo into a board and apply power to the board. You will find that the rcbo will now hold in the 'on' position.

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That's not how they work at all!! If you switch the RCBO on they should hold there exactly as you would expect from a normal MCB.... If they worked as you suggest, then they would drop out as soon as there was a loss of power, such as in a power cut!! The OP has a duff RCBO!! I don't care what manufacturer anyone uses, RCD devices are NOT as reliable as most expect them to be, they have a way to go yet, to be anywhere near as reliable as a MCBs...

 

[Mr.Si]

That's not how they work at all!! If you switch the RCBO on they should hold there exactly as you would expect from a normal MCB.... If they worked as you suggest, then they would drop out as soon as there was a loss of power, such as in a power cut!! The OP has a duff RCBO!! I don't care what manufacturer anyone uses, RCD devices are NOT as reliable as most expect them to be, they have a way to go yet, to be anywhere near as reliable as a MCBs...

I have been quietly thinking this too...

Glad other more learned people have voiced the same thoughts!

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[ringer]

I stand corrected then, if RCDs can hold in when no power is applied. Yet I'm sure I've come across at least one where it would not hold in until power was connected. It was either Mem Eaton or Wylex. I usually switch off MCBs and RCDs before cutting the power using the mainswitch, so not been in too many situations where there is no power and RCD has been on.

 

[Guest111]

I think you are talking about what I believe are called active or passive rcd,s we have some weatherproof sockets at work with built in rcd,s and these trip if they lose power,these are called active rcd,s used to find then on caravan sites in the early days but not so common now as they trip out if the mains dips out for a second or two,tbh they can be a right pain at times.