Fuse box tripping?

[pete01]

So far so good. We've got rain due next Tuesday. Even though it didn't trip when it last bounced down I still want to test that theory again

So it's still on the other rcbo at the moment?

 

[securespark]

My usual suggestion to customers with random tripping (after belling out the wiring to make sure it was clear) was to unplug absolutely everything that could be unplugged and switch everything else that couldn't, things like cookers, showers, immersions, off, unless using them. Then once finished, unplug or switch off again.

I suggested leaving boilers, alarms systems and routers on.

This way, there would be a bare minimum of equipment attached to the circuit at any one time, making it easier to try and track down the culprit.

 

[Benty1985]

My usual suggestion to customers with random tripping (after belling out the wiring to make sure it was clear) was to unplug absolutely everything that could be unplugged and switch everything else that couldn't, things like cookers, showers, immersions, off, unless using them. Then once finished, unplug or switch off again.

I suggested leaving boilers, alarms systems and routers on.

This way, there would be a bare minimum of equipment attached to the circuit at any one time, making it easier to try and track down the culprit.

I considered that but with it being completely random and impossible to determine when it would happen, I thought it would be pointless. I was convinced it was rain, still might be, it's gone from tripped 2-3 times a day to stopping all together. Didn't trip for 2 days before we had the downstairs lights joined on the upstairs ones

 

[Benty1985]

So it's still on the other rcbo at the moment?

Yeah. My plan is to let it hammer it down again and that should narrow it down. If it trips then likely leak, damaged wiring. If not, possibly faulty switch. Or something in between

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My usual suggestion to customers with random tripping (after belling out the wiring to make sure it was clear) was to unplug absolutely everything that could be unplugged and switch everything else that couldn't, things like cookers, showers, immersions, off, unless using them. Then once finished, unplug or switch off again.

It is just a downstairs lighting circuit, and so the only loads are lamp bulbs.

 

[securespark]

With the title being what it was, I posted my advice so that others who come here can read it.

 

[securespark]

I considered that but with it being completely random and impossible to determine when it would happen, I thought it would be pointless. I was convinced it was rain, still might be, it's gone from tripped 2-3 times a day to stopping all together. Didn't trip for 2 days before we had the downstairs lights joined on the upstairs ones

Well, the only thing you've altered there is you have taken the load off one lighting RCBO and placed it on the other lighting RCBO.

If your current situation does not alter (IE, you continue NOT to suffer any tripping incidents, with the two circuits attached to the one RCBO), it does suggest the vacant RCBO is faulty.

I would leave it a good few days to see how it pans out.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If your current situation does not alter (IE, you continue NOT to suffer any tripping incidents, with the two circuits attached to the one RCBO), it does suggest the vacant RCBO is faulty.

I would leave it a good few days to see how it pans out.

The warmer, drier weather recently, might have some bearing on the trip.

 

[ebee]

Well, the only thing you've altered there is you have taken the load off one lighting RCBO and placed it on the other lighting RCBO.

If your current situation does not alter (IE, you continue NOT to suffer any tripping incidents, with the two circuits attached to the one RCBO), it does suggest the vacant RCBO is faulty.

I would leave it a good few days to see how it pans out.

Pretty much agreed.

"it does suggest the vacant RCBO is faulty." or slightly more sensitive!

 

[Benty1985]

It's just this second tripped on the upstairs switch. No rain since Monday.

What would be the next step here?

 

[pete01]

How many lights on the problem circuit? You could split it in the middle and leave the furthest half off and see what happens?

Obviously this might not be possible as you won't have any lights in a few rooms?

 

[Benty1985]

3 lights. Vestibule, living room, kitchen. I take it this would involve pulling up the floor boards upstairs?

 

[pete01]

No just disconnect the outgoing feed cable in the middle ish light?

 

[Benty1985]

Could moisture still be a factor? At the minure I'm thinking not. We've had a couple of hot days and this morning it's very cool. But didn't trip during 2 heavy rains on Sunday and Monday.

 

[pete01]

It could be, or a damaged cable, rodent nibble? Should be easy (ish) to find with only 3 lights.....bloody frustrating mind.

I take ot you've checked inside all the switches and lights?