Electric tripped

[trotterwatcher]

Hi
Sat watching tv touched nothing and the electric went off, thought there was a power cut but everyone else had power, went out to electric box and rcd had tripped so reset and everything came back on, checked everything that was previously on was still on and it was, checked alarm in garage and still had mains power, boiler had not kicked in, everything working fine, two surge protecter 4way extensions being used they are still powered up as normal, the last thing that was touched but not at the same time as power went off was a cordless kettle, it was about 10 minutes before, after I put the power back on I tried the kettle and it worked fine, can a cordless kettle after clicking off still trip the electric if any moisture had got in the connection point on the base ? This has never happened before other than a few years back when the boiler went faulty, obviously we are concerned for if we were away from home at any time.
Any comments appreciated

 

[JohnW2]

These things happen, sometimes for no apparent reason (no reason that anyone ever discovers). To be pragmatic, I would prersonally suggest that you probably ought to wait and see if it happens again (it probably won't) and only if the problem does recur should you get concerned or consider investigating the cause, or getting someone to investigate it.

Kind Regards, John

 

[trotterwatcher]

Cheers for the comments john, the mrs is saying bet it was the kettle but I can't see it as i would of thought it wouldn't of tripped if kettle not switched on (was switched on at wall). Just concerns you a bit as once we came back off holiday and the boiler had gone faulty dumped its water tripped the electric and defrosted the freezer and alarm went off, not funny at the time. I agree about waiting to see if it does it again but just gets you thinking that could of been bank holiday weekend (just been away)

Cheers

 

[winston1]

Surge protector extension strips can cause RCDs to trip. Surge protectors are a waste of money anyway. They won't stop any big surges likely to cause damage (lightning), and small surges equipment can handle anyway.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

There are a whole host of reason for RCD units to trip, most electrical items leak to earth, some more than others depending on type of equipment, age and condition, also moisture around the electrical parts can cause tripping, then there is also ways the possibility of a fault either on equipment/appliances or on the electrical system or RCD. It is not unusual for once in blue moon for the RCD to trip randomly for no apparent reason, or even trip when a number of high earth leakage appliances are on load at the same time, but if this tripping becomes more regular then further investigation would be recommended. If no continued tripping, things are likely to be fine.
The appliance that tend to trip RCD when the appliances are starting to become faulty are those with heating elements, such as kettles, toasters, irons, cooking appliances, laundry appliances etc...
Then the other thing to consider is whether the RCD unit has become more sensitive to earth leakage and/or become faulty, another thing worth investigating. Please note all RCD should be periodically tested not only by the use of the mechanical test trip button on the device (this should be done quarterly), but also the trip times and the tripping range, ideally a scheduled maintenance of these should be planned, but in my experience rarely done.

 

[bernardgreen]

Surge protector extension strips can cause RCDs to trip.

They do just that. With capacitor between Live and Earth and Neutral and Earth they create earth leakage current even when nothing is plugged into them. Turning off at the wall still leaves the Neutral to Earth capacitors in circuit. Unplug them when not in use.

 

[trotterwatcher]

First off thanks for the replies, I always find it a show of good nature when people are prepared to give a little time to try and help others, pity we are not all like this.

Great comments and reassurance, everything been ok and I think it could of been bit of a freak thing, gonna see if it happens again and like suggested will remove plugs of surge protectors from the wall if straying away from home.

Thanks guys