Curve (Denmans) RCDs

[a-z electrics]

Anyone had problems with these rcds? Control Gear Direct, 30mA, 63A 2 pole..

I recently bought two 10-way dual rcd boards from denmans.. first one had an rcd which didnt trip on test button, even with load removed. Second rcd didnt trip under 300mS, but button worked.

Swapped them for the rcds in the second board I had (lucky me, I thought).. one rcd was ok but second one also had trip time problem. swapped the rcds around and the problem followed the rcds.

Got denmans to hotfoot replacement two boards that day... one rcd no trip on test button, the other had trip time problem!
The rcd which "worked" ok, I subsequently found to be a bit intermittent also on trip time. Once i put it on x2 test it seemed to settle down. but also the test button sometimes takes a while to trip as well! ie had to hold it down for a second or two.. the test results when working show no unusual results, all appliances were disconnected.

I did wonder if my tester (metrel 31000) was beginning to play up but worked ok at home and was only calibrated a few weeks ago.
I also put in the only other rcd i had with me, a Hager, and this has been fine.
Control Gear have posted to me 4 replacement rcds with test results, so ill see what happens..

First time ive had NO Trip problems, usually the other way...

 

[Phil Thompson]

I’ve been to 3 jobs in past 7 days, with a total of 7 RCDs, 4 in 1, 1 in another, and 2 in the job today.

All 7 wouldn’t time out. Phoned my rep and he said that’s why his place don’t sell them as they wouldn’t time out, that’s the way they came from factory, every one of them.

Anyone else found this?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Are you testing at the RCD terminals? If so there are a few manufacturers that I can remember off the top of my head but you add a short bit of cable in to the equation and they are fine.

 

[Phil Thompson]

At Sockets in the properties.

 

[Leesparkykent]

At Sockets in the properties.

I would of checked at the terminals to confirm.

 

[Richard Burns]

I would agree with Lee above, test the RCD at the terminals with no load connected.
(Eaton RCBOs need to be tested from the cable entry rather than the terminals as the sensing coil is above the terminal.)
I have used some Lewden, curve, Denmans, CGD RCDs but I have not yet had a problem with them. They are bottom of the price range but they should operate OK.
Having seven fail at one installation sounds on the edge of possibility.