MCB No Longer Tripping & No Power On Circuit

[Simon H]

Good people.

An 'older' neighbour over the road called round today as she has lost power to the sockets downstairs in her house. This affects her central heating (although she has a fire she can use tonight).

She lost power when she turned on her microwave and the breaker tripped on two attempts to use the microwave. After the second attempt the MCB (32A) is no longer tripping (I can reset it to the UP position), but there is no power to the sockets.

I asked a good person at Homebase DIY store who suggested that it could be a short circuit. I checked the sockets for loose connections to the wires and two sockets were definitely lose. I also replaced one of the socket fronts for her as one of the screws would not tighten properly.

However, after making sure all the wires were screwed in properly there is still no power.

Could there be a chance that the MCB needs replacing? If that is the case I presume I can just buy another one from an electrical trade outlet and just pull out the existing one and pop the new one in?

I asked my neighbour to wait until the morning to see if I could help her further and to avoid out of hours fees for an electrician.

If she has to get out an electrician what kind of rates would she be looking at (eg for half an hour) - I do not want this lady being taken advantage of!

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Simon

 

[Simon H]

oops..

I think the fusebox is a general electric one and the MCB has:

Series E
6000/B32
230 / 400B

Written on it.

------

Also is there a chance that a higher amp rated breaker is needed(given that there is a boiler and microwave on the circuit) and if thats the case can I just swap for the existing MCB for a higer rated one?

 

[Spark123]

You really need to trace the source of the fault first, as if you just replace it what is to say it doesn't re-occur? Best to get an electrician to come and check the circuit out tbh. You must NOT replace this MCB with a higher one.

 

[ricicle]

Due to your apparent lack of knowledge with this problem I'm afraid an electrician is more than likely going to be needed for this one as tests may need to be carried out on the faulty circuit and possibly the MCB replaced.This involves removal of the consumer unit cover which should only be attempted by the competant.

Rather the cost of an electrician than the consequences of a poorly carried out repair!!

 

[securespark]

If it is a ring (in minimum 2.5mm² cable) or radial (in minimum 4mm² cable), a 32A circuit breaker is the right choice.

I would say the m/wave sounds like it's faulty. Unplug it from the supply.

Try swapping the faulty MCB with another in the board of the same rating and type. Could just be the appliance fault caused the MCB to trip and the mechanism subsequently to fail so it "resets" but does not let power through.

I've had this a few times.

Rexel Senate & Denmans are two places where you'll find compatible GE breakers, although they will be screen-printed with either SECTOR (for Rexel Senate) or STEEPLE (for Denmans).

 

[Taylortwocities]

Toolstation.com also sell GE breakers. But, per above. this does sound like a job for a competent person...

 

[Simon H]

The microwave was unplugged when I tried to get power on after I'd tightened the wire connections in the powersockets. Perhaps this was the source of the problem .

If its just a case of pulling out a breaker to replace it I'll try another 32amp breaker. If that doesn't work or it trips out again then I'll get her to call an electrician.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Adam_151]

Replacing a breaker in a DIN rail based CU requires a little more than just 'pulling it out'

You have to isolate the board, removed the cover, disconnect the outgoing circuit, slacken it off from the busbar (in some cases you might even need to take the busbar out!), unclip the breaker from the rail, and do teh whole lot in reverse with the new breaker

 

[Simon H]

Ok. Time for an electrician me thinks!

 

[securespark]

For future reference, GE breakers are not locked onto the dinrail. Just slacken the lower screw & it will lift out.

However, it is good advice to get a competent person in if you are not sure.

 

[Simon H]

I think it was the 'isolate the board' part which finally put me off me attempting it.

My neighbour has an electrician coming round tonight - turns out we have one further down our road. Will pop over there tomorrow to find out what had been causing the problem.

 

[kai]

The Square D Kwikline and Crabtree Starbreaker MCB's are the best - they just clip onto their dinrail, along with prongs on the back, which slot onto the busbar - couldn't be easier.