Totally stumped. Night Storage Heater tripping out MCB, but ok on daytime circuit.

[Steve Poulton]

Please help. I have a basic understanding of electirics, but 5 Electricians are stumped and I don't know where to go next. My mother in law heats her house by 4 Night Storage Heaters, all of which are wired to a Economy 7 supply/fuse board, with no RCD just MCB. The largest of the Night Storage Heaters began to fail and trip the MCD. To cut a long story short, she ended up having a new one fitted. Unfortunately this new one also now trips the MCB. The electricians have tried swapping the various supplies to the various heaters around in the E7 fuse board and the same heater is tripping the different MCB. It would be an obvious thing to consider that there is a fault on the circuit between the board and the night storage heater. However, they have now wired it into the day time board and it is not tripping. Has anyone got any ideas as we need to get it wired back into the E7 circuit??

 

[elsparko]

His name is on top of his post are you TWP
Boyfriend how old are you grow up
Yes I know Deakon he told me about the problem
He is a young chap trying his best its not 5 sparks it he’s been back 5 different times trying to solve problem and one other has been
He doesn’t need clowns like you giving him stick he doesn’t want you to fix it he was just looking for some guidance

im a young guy, im basically lead electrician, whats his excuse?

 

[buzzlightyear]

I have Never heard so much nonsense in 20 years of being a spark you have not listened to Steve at all

His name is on top of his post are you TWP
Boyfriend how old are you grow up
Yes I know Deakon he told me about the problem
He is a young chap trying his best its not 5 sparks it he’s been back 5 different times trying to solve problem and one other has been
He doesn’t need clowns like you giving him stick he doesn’t want you to fix it he was just looking for some guidance

may be LT21,
that the has chewed more then he can bit .may be you can give him
guidance's then us . may be the person who post it on this forum is a bit p88t off .

 

[elsparko]

this isnt deakons fault, i blame whoever sent an inexperienced guy out on their own.

 

[static zap]

this isnt deakons fault, i blame whoever sent an inexperienced guy out on their own.

Ohms law ,and these cold nights may be to blame,
marginal design ? (or changed out with different parts)
--More current , more problems--(Possible Danger-!)

 

[elsparko]

Ohms law ,and these cold nights may be to blame,
marginal design ? (or changed out with different parts)

cold nights? you english are too soft

 

[elsparko]

the fault could be as simple as a mouse in the loft twisting cables together

none of us will know without being on site

 

[static zap]

cold nights? you english are too soft

Away from the sea the midlands can get cold too !
(unless under an umbrella of smog in town )

 

[marconi]

Hi, I am one of the electricians looking at this issue. ...

Good. And we will do our best to help. What we need from you first of all is the clearest description of the problem from as far back in time to now that you can give. We also want full details of the overcurrent protection devices. Be accurate with your language so if you mean fuse that's what we understand and if you mean MCB that's what we register also. Let us have the actual ratings, types and makes of fuses/MCBs. Tell us too the power of the storage heaters and their make and model.

What would be really helpful is one or two pictures of the CUs and wiring and then some commentary on what fuse/MCB is supplying what.

Don't give up. See it as a challenge from which you can learn.

 

[buzzlightyear]

says he the eskimo from the north.

 

[LT21]

I am going tomorrow at 6am I will let you know my findings

 

[elsparko]

try living in the granite city for a while, you will soon get sick of those outside light jobs, drilling out old victorian granite buildings with 2 feet thick walls takes its toll, with a fine mist blowing in from the north sea

 

[elsparko]

I am going tomorrow at 6am I will let you know my findings

thats a bloody early start

 

[LT21]

E7 still on at that time

 

[polo1]

Jeeze guys, give the OP a break. If you don't want to help, then don't post. I guess we've all had electrical issues to deal with where the problem doesn't seem to fit normal solutions. Asking what to some might appear to be a question which has an obvious answer, doesn't mean the answer is obvious to everyone. I stupidly believe the Forum is here to help, not slag off posters at the earliest opportunity. Rant over!

As some others have suggested, your problem does appear to lie in the E7 board. Given what else has been done, I would try the largest MCB which the circuit installation/ccc will permit, located at the end/away from the other MCBs. Apologies if you have already tried this - it's starting to get difficult to ID exctly what's been done. Oh, I also suggest that you post clearly, earthing type, Ze, Zs, R1+R2 and insulation resistance of the circuit involved.

 

[LT21]

E7 still on at that time