RCD tripping when appliance switched on

[Brianno6]

Son has moved to 50s house, there was only one surface single sockets in each of the three bedrooms, there is a new consumer unit fitted, he has now installed three double sockets in each b/room on the same ring main, today switched on the 32a rcd and he tested each socket with a "test plug" confirming that all wiring was correctly installed, he then plugged in a radio to test, as soon as he switched on, the main rcd tripped, he has checked all the sockets for "Shorts" but seem ok, when he tested for live on the pos. there was also live on the neutral, the system only trips when you actually switch on the appliance, help please

 

[bernardgreen]

Does the radio have an earth connection ? Either as a three core ( L N E ) mains lead or an earth terminal or via the screen of an aerial lead.

If there is no earth on the radio then he has made a wiring error, he most likely has put the neutral of the ring circuit into the wrong neutral bus bar in the CU.

 

[Chri5]

From what you suggest the lad has added to the existing circuit and maybe hasnt been anywhere near the cu.

Take all the sockets off the wall boxes, look for cables that have pinched or become trapped when he screwed the faceplates on.

Also check terminals and make sure all cabling is sitting correctly and terminated nicely under the terminal screws (hint look for loose wiring, wires not terminated nicely, earth core sleeved correctly, no shorts, no excess bare conductors).

 

[RF Lighting]

He's stuffed up the new wiring.

The RCD is doing it's job and preventing him from being electrocuted.

You need to check the new connections, but if there was only one single socket per bedroom, the wiring is likely to be very old, and I would advise having the safety of the existing installation checking out by a professional.

 

[Taylortwocities]

the wiring is likely to be very old, and I would advise having the safety of the existing installation checking out by a professional.

This fact should have been picked up and rectified before the new consumer unit was fitted.
Your son should look at the Inspection Report. He might like to ask what type of hat the cowboy electrcian was wearing if the inspection was not done.

 

[londonboy]

the wiring is likely to be very old, and I would advise having the safety of the existing installation checking out by a professional.

This fact should have been picked up and rectified before the new consumer unit was fitted.
Your son should look at the Inspection Report. He might like to ask what type of hat the cowboy electrcian was wearing if the inspection was not done.

The wiring was probably sound before the son messed about with it.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Did your son extend the RFC or did he spur from existing sockets?
Has he tried another appliance on the circuit other than the radio?

 

[streetlighter]

The plug in socket testers dont usually detect earth and neutral being reversed.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The plug in socket testers dont usually detect earth and neutral being reversed.

But RCDs do

 

[RF Lighting]

 

[ericmark]

On a TN-C-S system connecting neutral to earth will not always trip the RCD until there is some load as we get load then the neutral and earth become slightly different voltage so it will trip the RCD.

So the fault may not be the item plugged in or even on the socket it is plugged into.

The only way is to test the sockets using the laid down procedure which is more than just plugging in a socket tester.

However if incorrectly done there could be danger which is why inspecting and testing even for a trained electrician is a 12 week night class course followed by an exam. Clearly not something which can be detailed on a DIY forum.

 

[Taylortwocities]

We seem to be discussing this on our own as Brianno6 hasn't said a word since he posted the topic.

Maybe its fixed, maybe his son has said "leave it Dad, I don't need your help".

I'm waiting for an update.........

 

[Brianno6]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, sorry to be late in my response, my mistake, the sockets that was in place was "Double", one in each bedroom, the cables was entering the patress boxes protruding app. four inches from the floor boards (on surface) as the house is empty at the moment he thought it would be a good idea to replace them, unfortunately and against the "P" regs he disconnected the connections at the c/unit and Bernardgreen was spot on, he had replaced the neutral on to the wrong bar, they seem to be OK now, the ground floor is also in need of re-wiring and there is no cooker point, I have arranged for a qualified electrician to view the system and quote for re-wiring, I doubt that he will compromise his or his family's safety again, thanks for your advice and fair criticism

 

[Taylortwocities]

No worries.

He hasn't gone against Part P by disconnecting and reconnecting the circuit. Also, adding sockets to a ring ciorcuit is not notifiable, providing its not in a designated special location.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Reasonable provision shall be made in the design and installation of electrical installations in order to protect persons operating, maintaining or altering the installations from fire or injury.


Hmmm.....