Strange RCD Fault

[Guest569]

80amp main switch RCD, occasionally trips when a couple of circuits are switched on (doesn't matter which circuits) with nothing plugged in.

IR tests all good. Replaced RCD for new. Happens in all weather ( don't think its external )

Only sockets on this consumer unit.

Ive had my guys out at it twice with no joy. New build wiring from 16th edition.

Im going to investigate myself this week, Im sure Ive had loose connections causing tripping before, it about all I can think of, a loose tail somewhere around the main switch.


Anything else to look out for ?

Im pretty certain its not a dodgy nail at floorboard etc its fairly new property and in good condition with chipboard throughout.

 

[jaypp]

was the 'floating live cable' in a position where movement, possibly caused by vibration from foot traffic etc, could cause the random tripping?

 

[Dcf]

i had a kitchen ring of 7 sockets last week with 3 faults on it.
knacked mcb due to them switching it on a l-e fault numerous times
no ring continuity on live and earth rings
traced it back to a burnt cable shoved in an inaccessible tank cupboard shorting between live and earth while the neutral was in one piece
all down to a previous young spark who was out of his depth leaving a bodge!
trying to work out some muppets idea of a ring circuit is frustrating at times

 

[Guest569]

was the 'floating live cable' in a position where movement, possibly caused by vibration from foot traffic etc, could cause the random tripping?

No tucked in a pretty cramped board.

 

[Plonker 3]

If you are going back with RCBOs and you suspect on particular circuit, surely a cheaper option and much easier way to confirm would be just to put the suspect circuit on a RCBO? What is the earthing system of the property?

 

[jackhammerJIM]

what do you mean by belling it out ?????????????????

 

[R G]

what do you mean by belling it out ?????????????????[/QUOTE





CONTINUITY

 

[Des 56]

what do you mean by belling it out ?????????????????

What do you mean by what do you mean belling it out,know what I mean

 

[Plonker 3]

know what I mean

Harry?

 

[telectrix]

belling out.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...9wyk46YyEd5YbOO5NT0tdEg&bvm=bv.62286460,d.ZGU

 

[jackhammerJIM]

so JRC you are saying it bells out for continuity but you have no end to end continuity .

how can this be ?

i know wat i mean des and i know what you mean if you know what i mean .

- - - Updated - - -

So thats what he's been doing tel .

no wonder he hasn't found it .

 

[guest119]

Was there only 2 cables at each socket?
As a rough n ready guide, if you have a clamp meter, put a load on each socket in turn. IE a fan heater or one of the lads with a 230v drill running and clamp each leg of the ring (ring?) as it leaves the mcb to see what is being drawn from where. Switch mcb off and on to signal a move to the next socket.
Then disconnect and make safe at the socket you reckoned was the last one, that dropped the IR.
Run load test again.

Boydy

 

[Des 56]

i know wat i mean des and i know what you mean if you know what i mean
:biggrin5: I like



But no "I meant", I mean, I meant you mean I meant

 

[Plonker 3]

Probably not what you want to hear, but with it being a new build have you contacted the original installer?

 

[R G]

Probably not what you want to hear, but with it being a new build have you contacted the original installer?

PFFF Running Boy ,,,,

 

[Guest569]

Probably not what you want to hear, but with it being a new build have you contacted the original installer?

Ive been given the guys number who used to own the house, although I don't think he is going to own up to having had a fault at the house post sale. He might put me onto the spark but again, he is unlikely to own up to this mess!


No certs either .....surprise.

 

[Plonker 3]

So a new build without certs? Not 100% about north of the border but thought new builds came under Part P?

 

[Guest569]

So a new build without certs? Not 100% about north of the border but thought new builds came under Part P?

By now you should now we don't have Part P.


Its around 10 years old I think, Builder built it himself....you get the picture..Not sure if there ever were certs but we don't have em now

 

[Plonker 3]

Right not picking faults, but there is a big difference between a new build and a building 10 years old

 

[Guest569]

Right not picking faults, but there is a big difference between a new build and a building 10 years old

Not really....up north we tend to call recent timber frame , plasterboard internals etc etc "new build"?

 

[Plonker 3]

Fair enough, but I would class a new build as something still covered by existing installer, manufacturer or warranty backed install.