I am looking for advice please, the down stairs lights went out last evening so I went to reset the RCB and it wont reset. Blue flashes from the rcb. I have removed all the down stair bulbs and turned all the light switches to off but still I can't reset the rcb. This is the first time in the 15 years I have lived in this house that lights rcb has tripped. I have had to reset the ring main rcb a few times in the past through my own fault. The house was new when I moved in. As all the bulbs are removed and the switches off could it be a florescent unit fault? Any advice would be appriciated.
Lights out RCB ?
- Thread starter kenthetuner
- Start date
Sponsored Links
If its 15 years old it is more likely an Mcb.
Is there signs of any water leaks near the fittings.
Is there signs of any water leaks near the fittings.
N
NoHounds
when you say RCB do you mean MCB or RCD
Rocky you right they are MCB's, haven't noticed any water leaks but will double check around, Thanks for the quick reply.
Sponsored Links
You mention fleurescents its unlikely to be the fitting, as you say you have tried resetting with the wall switch OFF.
However they do run hot inside and a slight chance the internal wiring may be damaged, epecially if they have looped wiring inside.
May be worth checking inside of them.
However they do run hot inside and a slight chance the internal wiring may be damaged, epecially if they have looped wiring inside.
May be worth checking inside of them.
Could be a L/N short. Although if there is no RCD I think a L/E short could also be possible.
With the circuit isolated, open up all of the ceiling roses/fittings. Have a look for any loose conductors that may have come into contact where they shouldn't have.
Any other items on this lighting circuit such as outdoor lights that could gave got wet? Or as already suggested by BS3036 any DIY work (nails through cables etc)?
With the circuit isolated, open up all of the ceiling roses/fittings. Have a look for any loose conductors that may have come into contact where they shouldn't have.
Any other items on this lighting circuit such as outdoor lights that could gave got wet? Or as already suggested by BS3036 any DIY work (nails through cables etc)?
Thanks guys for your help. Door bell appears to be on the same circuit so I will disconnect it tommorrow and forgot there is an out side light that could be full of water so will check that too.
If you still have trouble after checking those things. You are going to have to go to each light fitting and check the connections.
Look especially at any that do not have a ceiling rose. I have seen a problem like this a few times where a light fitting has been installed with the connections put into pieces of terminal block and just jammed up behind the fitting. After a few years of being cooked by a 60watt lamp the terminal block disintegrates and shorts out.
PS Make sure the power is OFF before you go poking your fingers anywhere.
Look especially at any that do not have a ceiling rose. I have seen a problem like this a few times where a light fitting has been installed with the connections put into pieces of terminal block and just jammed up behind the fitting. After a few years of being cooked by a 60watt lamp the terminal block disintegrates and shorts out.
PS Make sure the power is OFF before you go poking your fingers anywhere.
This morning I disconnected - door bell, outside light, 3 fluorescent light units, and inspected all of the ceiling roses, and on off swithes. The mcb will not reset still. Would it be a good idea to start disconnecting the lives and neutrals at the ceiling roses starting closest to the consumer unit?
No diy done recently and now water leaks found.
No diy done recently and now water leaks found.
Thanks BS3036, just tried that as soon as main switched on, light mcb trips out.
Sounds like a plan. Be safe! Don't lose track of how it was wired. Photos first are always a good idea.
Hi there
Have you put any new holes in the walls at all or laid any new flooring with nails.
If it is not due to water ingress some where and you are getting blue flashes.
This indicates a pretty high current is flowing somewhere.
This is quite a difficult problem to solve without specialist equipment, unless you have a hunch where to start looking.
If you have all of the bulbs out and switches off, then the problem must be in the wiring between bulbs.
How many bulbs are on the effected circuit?
Martin
Have you put any new holes in the walls at all or laid any new flooring with nails.
If it is not due to water ingress some where and you are getting blue flashes.
This indicates a pretty high current is flowing somewhere.
This is quite a difficult problem to solve without specialist equipment, unless you have a hunch where to start looking.
If you have all of the bulbs out and switches off, then the problem must be in the wiring between bulbs.
How many bulbs are on the effected circuit?
Martin
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
