URGENT HELP PLEASE. Compact florescent lamps & RCBOs

[jedisparks]

Hi to all

Ive got a small problem on a job that ive just about finished and ready to handover.

Background; bed & breakfast chalets with compact florescent recessed spot lights protected by Protek RCBOs.

baisically on one of these lighting circuits the RCBO (actually its a Protek SRCBO) keeps tripping when i switch on the bathroom pullcord. It dosent happen every time, i can turn them on and off a few times and then randomly it will knock the RCBO off, but always on the action of either switching on or off the pullcord. Weird!

There are 4 x 11watt CFL recessed lights controlled by this switch. I have tested for IR and all is clear. I have checked all connections and all is clear. I have replaced the pullcord switch too.

This is leading me to think that there maybe some incompatabilty between the CFLs and the RCBO which is 6amp type B by the way.

Has anyone come across a problem like this? or have any suggestions? I need to fix this quick as the chalets already have bookings for next week.

Many Thanks in advance

 

[telectrix]

start with swapping the srcbo.

 

[jedisparks]

Thanks again

Ah yes i could try swapping 4 bulbs form the bedroom into the bathroom - good idea that, I think ill do that 1st I can also try normal bulbs too, they are GU10 so i can try some halogen bulbs definately.

Its not time delayed its just smaller in physical size than any rcbo ive seen. I asked for rcbos and noticed that some of them turned out to be these SRCBOs which i havent seen before, didnt think anything of it and put them in, anyway the others are for the shower circuits and they seem fine.

Great replies & much appreciated thanks

 

[rocker]

hmm
going by what he said-this is happening when he switches on and off lights

so suspect 'rogue' bulb or 'cheapo' rcbo

unless the drink is confusing me again

Yep a light fitting with it's neutral wired to the earth by mistake would cause this problem..... if you turn it on, the thing trips, then you reset the RCBO, does the light then work? Cos if it does, this could (not necessarily) be the problem. Though try changing the bulbs and the RCBO.