Shower tripping mcb

GiganticDays · 23 Nov 2012

We've had a Redring California Plus electric shower for around six or seven years.
Recently while in use the entire board has tripped. It doesn't happen every time but it seems to be happening more often than not.
Any idea what's causing this?
New shower needed?

RF Lighting · 23 Nov 2012

What is the device that's tripping?

Have a look at this link if you're not sure

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcb

GiganticDays · 24 Nov 2012

Thanks for the reply.
It's the MCB that trips, the rest aren't tripped.

Taylortwocities · 24 Nov 2012

GiganticDays said:
Thanks for the reply.
It's the MCB that trips, the rest aren't tripped.

Four questions then

1. Has your use of the shower changed (eg has your daughter's boyfriend moved in with you and they are now taking much longer showers together)

2. What is the power rating of the shower in KW (maybe a label on the bottom edge of the shower.
3. What is the value of the MCB that is tripping (in amps) it will say something like B32 or B40 on the front.
4. Have iou noticed any burning/fishy smells (keep it clean, viewers. this is a family show!)

Iggifer · 24 Nov 2012

I cant resist:

Hopefully if 1 is true then 4 is not

GiganticDays · 26 Nov 2012

Taylortwocities said:
GiganticDays said:

Thanks for the reply.
It's the MCB that trips, the rest aren't tripped.

Click to expand...

Four questions then

1. Has your use of the shower changed (eg has your daughter's boyfriend moved in with you and they are now taking much longer showers together)
No change in use
2. What is the power rating of the shower in KW (maybe a label on the bottom edge of the shower.
8.5KW
3. What is the value of the MCB that is tripping (in amps) it will say something like B32 or B40 on the front.
It's actually described as an RCB and says "In 80A"
4. Have iou noticed any burning/fishy smells (keep it clean, viewers. this is a family show!)
Haven't noticed any smells. I opened up the shower and there's no obvious scorch marks or signs of leaking.

Scoby_Beasley · 26 Nov 2012

Turn off the power at the C.U. Stand on stool. Remove switch cover. Tighten (and I mean TIGHTEN) terminals in switch. Especially the neutrals.

GiganticDays · 26 Nov 2012

Scoby_Beasley said:
Turn off the power at the C.U. Stand on stool. Remove switch cover. Tighten (and I mean TIGHTEN) terminals in switch. Especially the neutrals.

I had already done that (a couple were a bit loose), but I've done it again so they're really tight.
Ran the shower for 10 mins and all ok so far. Will try again later when I have a proper shower.
Thanks for the advice.

Aragorn84 · 26 Nov 2012

loose terminals surely wouldnt cause the RCD to trip? Or the MCB for that matter?

Scoby_Beasley · 26 Nov 2012

Just thinking there may be a Live-Neutral imbalance.

securespark · 26 Nov 2012

Aragorn84 said:
loose terminals surely wouldnt cause the RCD to trip? Or the MCB for that matter?

I had that once on a shower with a stand-alone RCD. One wire was very loose and it got hot and tripped.

Taylortwocities · 26 Nov 2012

GiganticDays

I'm losing the plot.

First of all you said

It's the MCB that trips

Then you said

It's actually described as an RCB and says "In 80A"

But there is no such thing as an RCB.

There is an RCD (also known as an RCCB) an RCBO and an MCB.

This may help you identify it

Untitled

Taylortwocities
27 Mar 2010
43

PLEASE tell us what it is that is tripping, and everything that is written on it. - or a picture.

GiganticDays · 26 Nov 2012

Typo. It's the RCD, but not the individual one for the shower; it's everything.

Chri5 · 26 Nov 2012

So in summary, the rcd trips when the shower was being used, not the mcb for the shower that will be somewhere near the rcd on the board.

That rcd runs a number of circuits (unknown by us, but likely sockets, lights etc).

Use the shower, the rcd pops and other services connect to the same rcd fail.

Well that perfectly right and the way the system is designed.

So having re tightened the cables the fault has stop?

Would you turn it all off, remove all the cables at the switch and eye ball them. If any are discoloured that will provide evidence of the fault reason. You also need to check the wire terminals on the switch. Again look for any discolouration.

Any dull metal on the wire should be cut back and bright copper showing. Any heavy discolouration at the switch and it needs replacing.

Maxatoria · 26 Nov 2012

Might be worth a look at the board itself and perhaps if they're feeling confident a piccy of the insides?

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Shower tripping mcb

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