No power to part of the consumer unit

[GKH2020]

Hi,

The `power went out throughout the house this afternoon but only to the sockets, the lighting circuits are all fine. I went to the consumer unit expecting to reset a circuit breaker but nothing had tripped.

I have attached a pic of the consumer unit. Using a current detector pen I can see that there is power feeding all of the circuits to the left of the RCD, which are the lighting circuits (lights are all working), but there is no power going to the circuits to the right of the RCD, which feed all of the sockets etc (with the exception of the hob and an oven which run from a feed where the supply enters the house, these are working). I have switched the RCD and circuit breakers on and off several times, they are definitely all in the on position but still no power.

Can anyone advise what the issue may be here please?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[littlespark]

The rcd…. Switch it fully off, then back on. Don’t use the test button to turn it off.

When that model trips, the switch goes to a mid position. It needs to be reset by turning off, then turned on.


You’ve also got wylex breakers in an MK board… you can see they don’t fit together.

 

[GKH2020]

The rcd…. Switch it fully off, then back on. Don’t use the test button to turn it off.

When that model trips, the switch goes to a mid position. It needs to be reset by turning off, then turned on.


You’ve also got wylex breakers in an MK board… you can see they don’t fit together.

Thanks for the reply. I had read about that, so have already fully switched it off and on multiple times. I am quite certain that it didn't even trip when the power went out.

 

[littlespark]

Maybe the internal mechanism is tripping, but not the switch itself. Have you tried the test button? It should force the switch.

Over time, breakers and RCDs like this can get “welded” closed and do need regular testing to check if this has happened.


Are you certain it’s every circuit to the right of the rcd that is affected? 7-12?
If it is, then that suggests it’s the rcd or part of the internal wiring of the consumer unit that feeds the rcd.


It’s not a DIY job to replace the rcd if indeed that is what is at fault. You should employ the services of an electrician.

 

[GKH2020]

Maybe the internal mechanism is tripping, but not the switch itself. Have you tried the test button? It should force the switch.

Over time, breakers and RCDs like this can get “welded” closed and do need regular testing to check if this has happened.


Are you certain it’s every circuit to the right of the rcd that is affected? 7-12?
If it is, then that suggests it’s the rcd or part of the internal wiring of the consumer unit that feeds the rcd.


It’s not a DIY job to replace the rcd if indeed that is what is at fault. You should employ the services of an electrician.

I have tried the test switch several times and it appears to be working fine.

Definitely every circuit to the right which is affected. Interestingly, whilst I was just going through the process of switching everything off and on again in the hope of it springing back to life, I held the current detector to one of the circuits to the right as I flipped the switch up on the RCD and the circuit briefly come to life - if I apply a very small amount of inward pressure to the RCD the circuits all come to life and die again when the pressure is released. Do you think that the cause may simply be a loose connection on the RCD?

Thanks again.

 

[littlespark]

Sounds more like the internals of the unit. Pressing against the switch will do nothing to the connections….

Again, I’ll say get an electrician involved now. I wouldn’t advise isolating the board and taking the front cover off yourself….

By the way…. “Voltage pens” are notorious for giving misleading results. Same with neon screwdrivers. Not completely useless, but don’t trust them if you’re looking for something to be dead.

 

[GKH2020]

Sounds more like the internals of the unit. Pressing against the switch will do nothing to the connections….

Again, I’ll say get an electrician involved now. I wouldn’t advise isolating the board and taking the front cover off yourself….

By the way…. “Voltage pens” are notorious for giving misleading results. Same with neon screwdrivers. Not completely useless, but don’t trust them if you’re looking for something to be dead.

I guess it doesn't really matter what the issue is - as you quite rightly point out, I'll need to get an electrician in regardless.

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[DPG]

I guess it doesn't really matter what the issue is - as you quite rightly point out, I'll need to get an electrician in regardless.

Thanks for your time and help.

Let us know the outcome if you don't mind.

 

[GKH2020]

Let us know the outcome if you don't mind.

Will do.

 

[GKH2020]

Let us know the outcome if you don't mind.

So it was a poor connection between the busbar and the RCD - hence my pressure on the RCD was making the connection.