How can I find a short circuit?

[Doh]

Please can anyone help with this little problem?

One of my circuit breakers (downstairs sockets) has tripped out 4 times in the last 3 days. On the first occasion there were all sorts of things plugged into the circuit so I've been gradually been unplugging appliances and am just down to the last few low power items. It tripped again last night when nothing was in use.

Our household alarm system is on the same circuit and can't be isolated. When the breaker trips, the alarm goes off which must be getting a bit annoying for the neighbours! Interestingly, the fuse into the alarm control box also blew - could the alarm be faulty or could the fuse just be protecting the alarm?

Can anyone suggest what other investigation I could do before calling in a professional?

Many Thanks in advance!

 

[kkynaston]

You should be able to put your alarm into test mode, then disconnect it from the supply. This will isolate the alarm and allow you to see if that is causing the MCB to trip. As you said the alarm fuse was blown, it is possible.
With the alarm in test mode, the alarm should not sound

 

[Diyisfun]

You may have a bad connection within a socket, nothing need be connected to it, but it can still trip. Took me 2 weeks to find mine.

 

[Doh]

Thanks for the replies.

Having done some more investigation I think the alarm control panel backup battery is probably dead, so when the mains power goes the alarm thinks its under attack and goes off. (The back-up battery in the outside box is obviously OK!)

I'll replace the battery and go from there - it'll be easier working without the sirens blaring away!

 

[sparkieno1]

Another thing I would do here is put the alarm on a different breaker it should really have it's own 6A breaker if none spare put it in a 6A lighting circuit.Your battery is def the problem with your alarm going off.