Electric shower pull cord isolator trips RCD...

[whitecat]

Hi everyone

Having an issue which is similar to but not exactly like some other issues previously posted, so sorry if it seems like I haven't searched (I have!)

We have a Triton T80si that was previously installed in a house we bought about a year ago. It has been working fine up until this morning...

Now, when we pull the cord on the isolator switch, the neon lights up for about a second and then the RCD switch on the consumer unit downstairs is tripped (the neon goes out on the shower isolator as well, of course).

Any ideas as to what the problem might be?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wingcoax]

When you say previously installed, do you mean it was there when you bought the house? It sounds as though it has given up the ghost.

 

[whitecat]

When you say previously installed, do you mean it was there when you bought the house? It sounds as though it has given up the ghost.

Yes, that's right, it came with the house.

 

[pjcomp]

When I get a call to one of these I expect to open the pull switch pattress and find some charred wires in loose terminals. These need to be trimemd back to clean copper and clean insulation, then reterminated in a new pull switch, making sure the terminals are tightened properly.

Sometimes it's not that, but not often.

PJ

 

[whitecat]

If we do have to call someone out is it a job for a plumber or a spark?

 

[londonboy]

Electrician

 

[whitecat]

I've opened up and taken a couple pics of the inside of the isolator switch.

I'm having trouble inserting them directly into this post (forum software is telling me "I don't currently have any albums" which is untrue.. oh well) - so here's a link:

//www.diynot.com/network/whitecat/albums/

Is that a burnt wire on the right?

Is it "burnt enough" to assume it might be causing the problem?

Also, is it something I could tackle myself if it is just that?

Any other ideas welcome. Trying to get an idea of what I need to budget for this repair job.

 

[londonboy]

The live on the right has started to melt, but that won't be the cause of the RCD tripping.

 

[whitecat]

The live on the right has started to melt, but that won't be the cause of the RCD tripping.

Thanks for that.

Is there anything else that's easy/safe to check myself?

 

[pjcomp]

Nothing obvious to point to why it's tripping, but the live has overheated to the point of scorching the insulation, which suggests the contacts within the switch have also overheated and may be the source of the problem. I'd be inclined to repalce the pull switch - still looks the most likely solution. They're only a few quid, and if the problem's still there afterwards at least you'll have ruled out the switch as causing it.

PJ

 

[whitecat]

All sorted. Thanks to everyone who replied. A spark came in and replaced the melted sleeves, trimmed back the wires slightly and tightened it all up and everything is working fine now. Our RCD tested OK too.

Cheers!