Kitchen fuse keeps tripping

[Nijinski001]

I have a kitchen which keeps tripping the fuse. I have tested the circuits and sockets and all readings seem fine.

The trip happens sporadically once or twice a week and can be tripped by things like the kettle, toaster, babies bottle warmer etc.

The circuit is a 32A ring on a split load CU with the ring on the RCD side.

My theory was that it is an appliance fault that is causing it but it seems to be different appliances that causes the trip. There is nothing particluarly heavy on the circuit that would cause overload. Microwave and washer are the heaviest. The kettle has recently been replaced and the toaster is only 12 months old.

Any ideas guys?

Cheers

 

[pdcelec]

Is the freezer on this circuit?

 

[andy]

Is the freezer on this circuit?

wont make much difference. its looks like the MCB thats trippin

 

[Nijinski001]

Yes, fridge/freezer as with most kitchens.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes Andrew. It is the MCB that is tripping although it has tripped the RCD once.

________________________
moderator

please note 10a which is here

 

[yai46]

I would swap a 32A breaker with another breaker from your board to see if the breaker itself is faulty.

 

[andy]

Yes, fridge/freezer as with most kitchens.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes Andrew. It is the MCB that is tripping although it has tripped the RCD once.

________________________
moderator

please note 10a which is here

well obviously its bein overloaded to trip the MCB. or you have a faulty appliance. does the ring serve any other rooms? does it go off when a certian appliance is used?

 

[Nijinski001]

The ring only serves the kitchen and it is sporadic different appliances that keep tripping the MCB.

 

[yai46]

You could drop all sockets off the wall to see if any of the cables are pinched and you caould also check if the cable entrys have gromets fitted and the earth wire is fully sleaved etc.

But if you dont find anything wrong I would change your mcb,

As other members have sugested it could be your fridge frezzer, you could try plugin it into a extenstion lead into your downstaires ring to see if it trips that ring out.

Just some ideas.

 

[Nijinski001]

Thanks for the help guys.

On the subject of the Fridge Freezer are you suggesting that it may be the load when the condenser fires up that is tripping the MCB? If so why would this trip a 32A MCB?
Or are you suggetsing something else?

Thanks

 

[andy]

Thanks for the help guys.

On the subject of the Fridge Freezer are you suggesting that it may be the load when the condenser fires up that is tripping the MCB? If so why would this trip a 32A MCB?
Or are you suggetsing something else?

Thanks

fridges are more common for earth leaks, which would trip the RCD, not MCB

 

[AJB1]

I have a kitchen which keeps tripping the fuse. I have tested the circuits and sockets and all readings seem fine.

You could drop all sockets off the wall to see if any of the cables are pinched and you caould also check if the cable entrys have gromets fitted and the earth wire is fully sleaved etc.

Good Advice

I had a fault like yours after some workmen had fitted some roof vents. Called an electrician out and had all the sockets off in the kitchen. We found that where the workmen had bodged the vents in the roof, the roof now leaked and the water was making its way down through the roof, down the cavity wall, finding the electric cable and making its way to the back of a socket. The socket was all rusted up and when it got wet it shorted out and tripped the mcb. Had the roof fixed and changed the socket and haven't had any trouble since. (not with the kitchen sockets anyway)
Regards
Andrew

 

[ban-all-sheds]

On the subject of the Fridge Freezer are you suggesting that it may be the load when the condenser fires up that is tripping the MCB? If so why would this trip a 32A MCB?

F/F compressors can generate a big surge when they kick in. Not enough to trip a 32A MCB on their own, but if there's already a steady load on the circuit (e.g. kettle/toaster/microwave/dishwasher), then it's certainly not beyond belief that the F/F could cause the MCB to trip.