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  1. P

    External influence tripping RCD on TN-S system?

    I didn't take one of the CU as its a bog standard Wylex split load board, but returning next week so will take some more piccies then. I may try another rcd, but intermittent problems mean that its always difficult to know if you've fixed the problem or not :?
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    External influence tripping RCD on TN-S system?

    The RCD tests fine , both in isolation and with the sockets connected. Ramp test was 27mA or so, I & 5I times were well within limits - 27 and 9ish from memory. I plan to use my PAT tester to test the fridge and freezer, but apart from those this is an elderly couple with not a lot of...
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    External influence tripping RCD on TN-S system?

    Does anyone have experience of intermittent faults that trip an RCD, that are caused by influences external to the house? I have an elderly couple who had a new consumer unit fitted about 2 years ago (not by me - needless to say no cert although it does appear to have been installed more or...
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    Ipod nano

    Actually, I've been thinking about the N95 as my next phone, how have you found it? I had a N70 before on Orange and replaced it with a 'simpler' Sony Ericsson because it just kept crashing, needing reboots etc and didn't work properly as a phone (which is kinda the point!)
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    Ipod nano

    Noz, You can only use iTunes to organise the ipod nano (actually thats not strictly true but without a lot of faffing about it is true for most people). So to load music onto it you have to import that music into iTunes and then fill the iPod. That doesn't mean that it won't play normal...
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    Low resistance Neutral to Earth on existing wiring

    Hmm, I was convinced it was off, but now you've said that I may have to eat my words :oops: - will see when I return and have another go.
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    The answer to climate change

    Hmm, Just browsing ebay and came across this gem. Surely we can just all plug these in and solve all our energy problems overnight.... :lol: If you aren't convinced, try reading the manual from the download link and you'll be ordering one right away!
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    Low resistance Neutral to Earth on existing wiring

    Hi, Spent most of today fitting some new sockets in what will be a small kitchen and struggling to persuade at least some of the existing plaster to remain on the wall! :x Adding a new circuit to an existing MK fuseboard which provides power to existing sockets, lights and doorbell and...
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    Megger MFT1552

    Adam, I've had my MFT1552 for just over a year now and have found it pretty good (though I haven't had access to many others to compare it with). The only real issue I've had with it is that its not the most convenient when standing up a ladder trying to take a reading from a lighting...
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    RCD failing 5x test at 0 but not 180

    Hmm, so one should never use the plug and lead that every test instrument supplier supplies to test rcds? All my on site guide says is that it should be tested as near as practicable to its point of installation (the nearest socket in this case) Admittedly it says the load supplied should be...
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    brightsparx website - duplicitous and misleading?

    actually a devious IT type person would use something like this. Though it may break any license agreement with the publisher of the PDF in this case, the program is perfectly legal and used by many large companies to remove protection from files, for example, left by employees who have left...
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    brightsparx website - duplicitous and misleading?

    Not good page design I agree - and may well not pass the latest Disability Discrimination Legislation. Just because they say you can't print it, doesn't mean you can't though, should be a devious IT type person :)
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    RCD failing 5x test at 0 but not 180

    Doubly interesting, since the Crabtree CU came from....Screwfix. I will test it in isolation, and bear in mind to ensure I keep a spare in stock for future reference. Is there one solid brand that causes practically no problems? I have used Wylex and MK successfully before, but liked the...
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    RCD failing 5x test at 0 but not 180

    That's interesting - are there likely candidates for doing that? It may be worth another visit and test before I replace it. The failure was repeatable, as were the passes. Gavin
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    RCD failing 5x test at 0 but not 180

    Spark123, so far as I know there wasn't, though its possible a pesky householder plugged something in upstairs while my back was turned. Surely any load would tend to make the RCD more likely to trip rather than take longer though? Gavin
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    RCD failing 5x test at 0 but not 180

    Testing a newly installed Crabtree RCD today, and it passed all tests except the 5x at 0 Deg (12ms at 180DEG). It did trip at 0 Deg, but not within 40ms. (it is performing supplementary protection so test is required) Apart from a duff RCD, am I missing anything obvious that could also...
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    Electric shower in outbuilding

    Streetlighter is right I'm afraid shedhead, you can play with the figures yourself here I should have thought you could get away with a lower rated shower, 5kw or less should let you use 6mm SWA (much better than standard pvc cable even through a conduit). Just thinking out of the box a...
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    magic neutral?

    Panny, Could be a number of things, but assuming noones tapped a nail into a wall recently the most likely, in no particular order are: Rodent nibbling a cable somewhere (mice in the loft?) Heat damage to a cable where it runs too close to a heat source such as down lighter or boiler...
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    CU Replacement

    Sensible advice from nozspark and a periodic first is a good way to detect any serious problems. However, if you did change the cu and found problems during the testing then they would not automatically have to be corrected, depending on what they are. You do not have to bring old wiring up...
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    External socket

    ethans, There will be an earth terminal, though I can't advise where it will be. If the connections are made to the RCD part then that may only have Live and Neutral connections, but the back of the socket will have an earth - it may be that there is a cover over it that has to be taken off...
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