Surge protected extension leads trip rcds

[ringer]

Spent hours today tracing a NE fault (IR=0.29Mohms) on ring main.

Unplugged everything I could and then split the ring down. Eventually narrowed it down to three double sockets which seem to be on a spur. Different colours at start and end of spur so no doubt a jb under the floor somewhere. Great, thought I, as the room in question has two great big wardrobes full of clothes and junk, and they are sat in front of one of the sockets. Because they can not access the socket, customer has plugged in an extension lead that was coming out from behind the wardrobes. There was nothing plugged in to this lead so I had ignored it previously, particularly as I was unable to unplug it. As I was scratching my head and considering the amount of effort required to move these wardrobes, I saw the words "surge protection" written on the top of the extra lead. And then it clicked. I had been looking for a nail through a cable or an unsleeved cpc touching a neutral, and all along it was this innocent looking extension lead.

Lesson learned.

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[SirKit Breaker]

You are not alone. I have also been in a similar place, and on more than one occasion.

Cheers.......Howard