identifying a fault

[VIDETTEROSE]

a strange thing has happened. the rcd switch on my consumer unit tripped recently (a few days ago) after investigation could not find anything out of normal and since switching back on have had no further problems. any suggestions??

 

[ZenStalinist]

What appliances were on when it tripped. Anything handling water?

 

[securespark]

Yeah

Appliances using water can be big source of headaches re RCD's.

Showers, Kettles, Imm Htrs, Boilers, w/m's, d/w's, pond pumps, shower pumps etc......

 

[ZenStalinist]

In my experience irons can be the biggest pain in the arse. One bit of water drips on to the incoming power contacts and it trips.

 

[pestiepete]

many people complain to me that when a bulb goes it tends to trip the rcd, i guess they have to be pretty sensitve to current fluctuations otherwise you may as well not have them!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Never, ever, heard that.

MCBs yes - all the time.

RCDs no. I'd be very worried if a failing lamp produced an earth fault....

 

[lynnette]

Hi, my dishwasher, fridge, freezer and steam press are not working to full capacity, e.g. the freezer doesn't freeze enough, the iron won't get hot enough and the dishwasher doesn't rinse with hot water. They are all on in the same room, but if i try the iron upstairs or in another room it's exactly the same, what is wrong?

 

[Steve]

Hi, my dishwasher, fridge, freezer and steam press are not working to full capacity, e.g. the freezer doesn't freeze enough, the iron won't get hot enough and the dishwasher doesn't rinse with hot water. They are all on in the same room, but if i try the iron upstairs or in another room it's exactly the same, what is wrong?

Turn the appliances up? I would suspect it is nothing to do with your wiring. The cables will supply as much power as is requested by the appliances, until the MCB trips or the fuse blows.

Overloading a circuit will never cause the appliances to run slower/colder.

You might have an undervoltage situation, the only way to test is with a multimeter, and this is not for the faint-of-heart.

Alternatively, you may find 1. your freezer is old or low on gas, 2. the iron is old, 3. the dishwasher element is burnt out

many people complain to me that when a bulb goes it tends to trip the rcd, i guess they have to be pretty sensitve to current fluctuations otherwise you may as well not have them!

And he registered just to say something which was quite wrong anyway!

 

[JohnD]

Hi, my dishwasher, fridge, freezer and steam press are not working to full capacity, e.g. the freezer doesn't freeze enough, the iron won't get hot enough and the dishwasher doesn't rinse with hot water. They are all on in the same room, but if i try the iron upstairs or in another room it's exactly the same, what is wrong?

Lynette, I think you are pulling our legs.

 

[Adam_151]

RCDs no. I'd be very worried if a failing lamp produced an earth fault....

I beleive its something to do with the arcing contact as the lamp fails confusing the electronics in the RCD, also the higher than normal frequncies involved could cause higher than normal currents to be taken by the capacitance of the cable

reactance=1/(2 x pi x f x C)

well thats my basic understanding of it...

 

[Steve]

adam, you swallowed a formula book?

 

[JohnD]

Bah, electronic RCDs, new-fangled complication.

 

[Adam_151]

adam, you swallowed a formula book?

No, just the IEE forum

 

[lynnette]

No I am not joking, the fridge/freezer is about 9 months old, the dishwasher is about 4 months old, and the steam press is brand new, as the other one I had to send back as it was also quite new, but suddenly stopped getting to the right temp,now if I use the new one over at my niece's house, across the road, it works perfectly, also my fridge/freezer is an american type with water and ice units which freezes ok, but the freezer isn't and it is on full. work that one out please !!

 

[Qedelec]

First thing would to check the voltage at the appliance is the same as at the origin.
There should be very little difference.
Next a clamp meter on thge supply cable when connected at your house and at your friends, again there should be little difference.
If all you have written here is true, you should have it investigated by a competent electrician without delay.