RCD's wont TRIP!

[Marie-Claire]

I changed a distribution board on a TT system to a new one but both RCD's won't trip when i have pressed test. Is it possible both RCD's are faulty? Everything is installed correctly

 

[Silly Sausage]

Some rcds have a functional earth on em......been cropped possibly......

That was one of my thoughts then I tried it at home, disconnected the earth lead, press test button button and it tripped.
We all need to get down there and help her out.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Marie-Claire, Please post your test schedule for the board (mask any personal information), plus a photo of the board with the cover off, as this will give us more information which we can analyse and guide your fault finding.

 

[hasel5]

Want one of these new testers that is being used on here. Any tester that can boil water and carry out all tests as well is a winner with me.

Just wondering if the op has a steak at the property if so does this new tester test it then griil it lightly for 5 mins and serve with chips and peas and a nice cold beer lol

 

[grimysparks80]

Marie-Claire, Please post your test schedule for the board (mask any personal information), plus a photo of the board with the cover off, as this will give us more information which we can analyse and guide your fault finding.

Never mind pictures of the board. Can we have more pictures of her/him please.

 

[electromonkey]

Do you think no main earthing connected to the met markie?

It could be the case, however, I think the "test" button Marie-Claire is referring to is the one on the RCD which would have no baring on this, unless there was no supply getting to it, which there is.

Marie-Claire, from what you have said about the circumstances from which you have obtained this board, there is a fair chance that it is a counter fit and I'd recommend you replace the whole board, not just the RCD's as 1, it could potentially be dangerous and 2, if a fault develops with it down the line, the customer will come back to you, not the builder. There is now a cost implication tied to this too. You have installed the board, if you choose to remove it, there is the time to do that and then the installation of the replacement. Who picks up the bill for the extra work?

I think you had said that you were new to this, if you are, here's some friendly advice. Only use materials you have bought yourself or the customer has supplied and ideally with a receipt so that you know they they comply to British Standard. This will save you time and ultimately money too.

Are you going back there today? If so, let us know how you get on.

 

[electromonkey]

Want one of these new testers that is being used on here. Any tester that can boil water and carry out all tests as well is a winner with me.

Just wondering if the op has a steak at the property if so does this new tester test it then griil it lightly for 5 mins and serve with chips and peas and a nice cold beer lol

LOL Someone posted on here a couple of weeks ago a photo of a cable jack, (I think the thread was called "DIY cable jack" so check it out if you've not seen it) and there were a few ideas as to what could be added to improve it. Take that cable jack with it's improvements and combine it to this "mean, lean, grilling, water boiling, testing machine" and you will have the ultimate electricians tool!

 

[grimysparks80]

Good job the kettle wasnt faulty or youd have had to get the toaster out lol.
Seriously tho, if your having to test things with a kettle then youre probably not ready to be out on your own.

 

[1shortcircuit]

Hi Marie-Claire can you confirm that you have performed the individual tests in the order stated in GN3 and used the appropriate equipment to do so just to put everyones mind at ease

I can fully appreciate that it is a hard task to try explaining things to a forum as a novice when you're dealing with fully versed professionals.

If you could post up some photo's I'm sure someone will spot something that will help. Sometimes the blatantly obvious can easily be missed time and time again when things are starting to get a bit hot under the collar.

I look forward to hearing what the problem is as it will also be added to my memory for future reference too

 

[electromonkey]

I hope you do come back and tell us your findings, It'll bug me for ages if I don't find out. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the previous posts may have scared you off but if you front it up, you'll benefit from a plethora of very helpful information down the line. A lot of the people on here are very generous with their time, and sharing their experience and knowledge.

 

[grimysparks80]

a Fit lass like thats probably got better things to do on a saturday night mate. I remember when i used to have a life.

 

[Knobhead]

This really is looking like counterfeit equipment. Two failed “brand new” RCD’s doesn’t bode well for the reliability of the gear in the rest of the board.
As someone said you leave yourself wide open if something goes wrong further down the road.

 

[KFH]

Nothing to do with the OP but in reply to somoneone else's reply: The test button on the RCD puts a load across line and neutral on different sides of the sense coil so not having an earth would not make a difference.

 

[Marie-Claire]

Hi guys, thanks for all your advice. The RCD's were faulty, both of them!! I put some new ones on the board, pressed test and they tripped out instantly (thank god). I would of thought it strange that perhaps one could be faulty but two? whats the odd's? I am so glad it's sorted now and i have all the circuits connected. This forum is fab!!

 

[Engineer54]

So you pressed the test buttons on the 2 new RCDs and it's a good-un!!

So absolutely no need to conduct the stipulated RCD tests at X.5, X1, and X5 then right?? Maybe none of the others tests either, as you have never mentioned any kind of tests, apart from voltage, and the Kettle test!!!

 

[telectrix]

So you pressed the test buttons on the 2 new RCDs and it's a good-un!!

So absolutely no need to conduct the stipulated RCD tests at X.5, X1, and X5 then right?? Maybe none of the others tests either, as you have never mentioned any kind of tests, apart from voltage, and the Kettle test!!!

not even the steam iron test as yet!