RCCB Tripping

[adam1984]

Afternoon all.

This is a weird one but I thought i would ask your thoughts to satisfy my own cuisosity and apologies for long post!

Board is a Crabtree with 1no RCCB. The RCCB tripped when the TV was plugged in and socket turned on. RCCB would not instantly re-set but it did after a couple of minute.

The RCCB supplied: Downstairs power, Upstairs Power, kitchen, Extension, utility/boiler (5mcbs)

So I reset RCCB. Go back to "TV Socket", plug in Martindale socket tester, switch on socket switch and RCCB trips (do this a couple more times and keeps tripping) The TV socket is on Downstairs power MCB.

Homewoner says that its normally the tumble dryer / kettle / microwave (on the utility MCB) that ususally trips the RCCB but once reset they work again.

Reset RCCB and and all MCB's are in the ON position. Go to utility room and plug Martindale socket tester into socket, switch on and RCCB trips again. I try several different sockets and trips every time however when the boiler is fired up it doe not trip the RCCB.

If I turn off the MCB to the Utility room and try my Martindale socket tester in the kitchen sockets then it trips the RCCB. If i turn off the the Extension and utility / boiler MCB then the "TV Socket" does not trip the RCCB and nieither do the kitchen sockets.

Now the extension is actually a 2 storey extension but when I turn this MCB off it only turns the power off to the downstair extension (granted the upstairs may have been taken off the upstairs power)

I took off every socket face on the affected circuits and wiring all looked fine. I checked all cables where possible (ones clipped direct etc) for signs of damage. I asked the homewoner if they have done any DIY recently. I checked all outside equipment for signs of water ingress or damage and everything I checked looked ok and no signs of damage.

The homeowner has lived in the house for approx 4 years and on the face of it it is really modern and had a massive refurb job done by the previous owners but the current homeowner has said they have had quite a lot of problems with te house and especially with the electrics.

I think that there is a dodgy conection somewhere but I couldnt find it so must be burried in / behind a wall somewhere.The junction boxes I found were wired ok. Anyone shed some light on what they think it may be? Ways in which you would try and trace fault? No insulation resistance test was carried out.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

You're both right

I always ramp it too, as said it takes a few moments and can be discounted then.

but also low IR To earth agreed also. Or a knacked up element (same thing, almost)

 

[Geordie Spark]

You're both right

I always ramp it too, as said it takes a few moments and can be discounted then.

but also low IR To earth agreed also. Or a knacked up element (same thing, almost)

I have spent the best part of two days searching my copy of "Teach youself to be an electrician in 30 days" but cannot find any trace of that technical term anywhere.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I got the "knacked up" phrase from Mr Darkwood

 

[trev]

I have spent the best part of two days searching my copy of "Teach youself to be an electrician in 30 days" but cannot find any trace of that technical term anywhere.

Fatha man! It's in that book worra writ, ye knaa "Teech asel Sparyin" Selt fower copys niw ye knaa. Me n Yee eesy street next yor man, ye cin fetch wor ma an aal.

 

[Octopus]

So the same post on 2 forums with very similar responses

 

[123]

Yip, only way to stop the bugger tripping is to swap it out for a 100A Isolatorirate:

 

[trev]

yip, only way to stop the bugger tripping is to swap it out for a 100a isolator or bypassing itirate:

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[Darkwood]

I got the "knacked up" phrase from Mr Darkwood

With compliments YORKSHIRE! and proud

 

[Marvo]

.........The RCCB tripped when the TV was plugged in and socket turned on. RCCB would not instantly re-set but it did after a couple of minute.........


Anyone shed some light on what they think it may be? Ways in which you would try and trace fault? No insulation resistance test was carried out.

You're running yourself around in circles without proper test results. Please take an IR tester, an RCD ramp tester and an earth leakage clamp meter to site and if you still have an issue you can always come back here armed with the test results which will mean people can give you more focused advice and less guesswork.