Random RCD's tripping

[Alessio imperato]

You say that you have dried lights with a hair drier,
I would be amazed if this fault has nothing to do with water ingress.
The fact you have dried them suggests they were wet.
Also, could there be a junction box somewhere full of water?

I use the hair dryer to dry out some potential moisture. No sign of water in.
Also no junction box. Straight from the switch to the holder. Each holder is connected to each other in parallel with the straight connectors, that I also changed with a brand new wago 221 ( I guess)

 

[James]

If you can disconnect 2 of the lights
L+N you will be able to see if the fault lies between the switch and 1st light or the other 2 lights

 

[Alessio imperato]

If you can disconnect 2 of the lights
L+N you will be able to see if the fault lies between the switch and 1st light or the other 2 lights

I did disconnected all of them and turn it on one at time with a brand new 2and E as flying cable straight from the switch. Is a really irritating situation. Also because people around are thinking that I'm trying my luck guessing something

 

[DPG]

I think the best plan is to wait for your tester to arrive. Do you have an experienced electrician that you can consult?

 

[Wilko]

Hi - if RCD only trips when the lights are on, then it’s likely there is some fault there. You’ve not seen a fault yet and as others have said you’ll need your tester (borrow one?).

Two thoughts in the meantime -
It is possible for a wonky switch that has contact bounce to trip an RCD, but you would always see that at switch on or off and it’s pretty rare.
As the RCD tripping is almost random, it may be the RCD is finally tripping due to added leakage from something else being used, kettle is a classic suspect .

 

[James]

Fault finding, especially intermittent faults.

A strange blend of
good theoretical knowledge,
and eye for things that don’t look right,
a mental list of the most likely suspects,
an open mind.
A step by step logical approach will always yield a good result but can take time.
A guess the most likely 1 or 2 faults and check them first type of approach will often be quicker, but experience tells you which way to go.

 

[GBDamo]

Outside lights?...water ingress?

Pretty much always.

Went to one today where a shop had been refurbed and there is a loud bang behind the new signage and then a few internal lights go out..

New sign has no lighting, old sign did.

Checked DB and sure enough the few inside lights went off when the "signage" breaker was turned off.

Rerouted the few inside lights, diconnected the "signage" breaker.

There is no way the landlord is going to cover the cost of pulling all the signage down to find and seal all the old signage circuit properly, although quoted.

Some muppet had made them safe with chock blocks and insulation tape no doubt.

No IR testing done, none needed.

 

[Baddegg]

I did disconnected all of them and turn it on one at time with a brand new 2and E as flying cable straight from the switch. Is a really irritating situation. Also because people around are thinking that I'm trying my luck guessing something

your new don’t let em bother you

 

[Alessio imperato]

I think the best plan is to wait for your tester to arrive. Do you have an experienced electrician that you can consult?

I have 2 that are actually on holiday ( obviously )

 

[Alessio imperato]

Btw I'll either wait for the multifunction meter or one of these electrician to carry on. I'll keep you in the loop for it. As first time using this forum I'm very happy and I can see how you're trying to help me.
THANK YOU ALL FOR IT

 

[DPG]

Let us know how you get on with your testing. Make notes.

 

[Alessio imperato]

Btw guys I want to ask you what you think about cable tracker? Are they good/worth the money you pay for?

 

[MJPD29]

Comments anyone?

No comment. I will refrain