The switch that you have the red arrow pointing at IS the RCD, as far as I can make out from the pic, and tripping to the downwards position is exactly what it is supposed to do when earth leakage is detected. You introduced an imbalance between the live and neutral currents going through it, by using your socket tester, and the RCBO indicated earth leakage to be present (a feature not found on UK RCBOs) and then the big red switch turned itself off.
This is exactly what it should do, as far as I can tell from here.
Once again thank you Brian.
I must admit to being somewhat confused. The black switch that you told me to exercise was
ON when the test button on the consumer unit would not work – after you told me to exercise the switch, I switched it
OFF and then tried the socket tester and the trip worked!
I have now tried the test button on the consumer unit and it works correctly – this is with that little black switch set to the
OFF position! So I’m unsure what that switch is switching
ON and
OFF.
Very confusing for me (but maybe not for you!).
Another thing I have now noticed is this: the picture I sent you was taken in May this year just before we came to the UK for 5 months (I added the arrows just before I sent it to you). In that picture you can see the little black switch is
OFF and the trip value was set to the minimum 6mA.
I haven’t changed any of the settings since my return but the mA is now set to 30 and as I said above the little black switch was
ON.
A Thai neighbour “took care” of the house whilst we were away and I am wondering if some “tinkering” took place for some reason.
Anyway, these are my problems and getting an admission from a Thai is impossible – I am happy that the RCBO protection is working. (not sure about the MCBs for tripping although all circuits appear to be working).
Finally, I worked in IT for 40 years (I’m 78) and I know how difficult it can be for a professional dealing with people who already have some knowledge, but limited, on a subject, so I say again I really do appreciate that you were prepared to offer your assistance with this issue.
