Myson Orion boiler trips RCD randomly

[MJN]

The solution to a boiler (or anything else) tripping an RCD is not to move it to a non-RCD supply. The cause of the problem needs identifying and fixing, not the symptom.

I suggest getting a qualified electrician in to measure the earth leakage of all aspects of the CH system.

As I think Tony has already suggested, my money is on an insulation failure of the motor windings of either the pump of valves. This may only manifest itself when hot (through expansion) hence the sporadic failures.

Mathew

 

[vicvapour]

The solution to a boiler (or anything else) tripping an RCD is not to move it to a non-RCD supply. The cause of the problem needs identifying and fixing, not the symptom.

I suggest getting a qualified electrician in to measure the earth leakage of all aspects of the CH system.

As I think Tony has already suggested, my money is on an insulation failure of the motor windings of either the pump of valves. This may only manifest itself when hot (through expansion) hence the sporadic failures.

Mathew

Tony I am an electrician (16th, 17th edition 2391 testing and inspection , 2392, solar Photo Voltaic) earth leakage is only too common on appliances theses days take a look at diy's sister sights for many more posts of this nature.

You cannot "cure" earth leakage on IT systems and motors espcailly specialist installations are required to monitor these installations

But the Surface mounted labeled socket is an acceptable option, read the electricians forums of you dont believe me.

 

[whoasamisami]

Can you post a photo of the supressor?

It sounds like a fault in a motor valve leaking. Have you removed the cover and looked for signs of water leaks?

Or take off the head and leave it off for a while?

Tony

No signs of leaks anywhere even looked for lime build up from potential leaks that are evaporating fast.. Excuse my stupidity but when you say "motor valve" are you referring to zone valve thingy?

 

[vicvapour]

· Has their been a water leak recently?

· Water in the electrics of a central heating system can cause an RCD to trip.

· Thoroughly dry the central heating boiler and surrounding area.



· Is the flue insulation OK?

· Rain getting into a central heating boiler, from the outside via the flue, can cause an RCD to trip.

· Repair the insulation between the flue and the outside world.



· Any water leaks inside the boiler?

· Even a small drip can cause an RCD to trip.

· Clear up the water and replace the leaking item.



· Does anything look or smell burnt?



· Does the problem happen at night or when it is cold?

· Is condensation forming in an air vent or the boiler?

· Condensation can drip onto electrical connections and cause an RCD to trip.



· Any sign of damaged wiring?

· Damaged wiring can allow electricity to flow to earth and trip an RCD.

 

[MJN]

I agree that there are many circumstances and situations within which earth leakage is an unavoidable side effect of the inherent properties of some appliances and devices.

However, just because a central heating system is periodically tripping an RCD does not mean that this case is necessarilly one of them, and any recommendation to simply 'stick it on a non-RCD circuit then problem solved: the RCD won't trip anymore' is negligent advice from a supposed electrician.

Mathew

 

[vicvapour]

I agree that there are many circumstances and situations within which earth leakage is an unavoidable side effect of the inherent properties of some appliances and devices.

However, just because a central heating system is periodically tripping an RCD does not mean that this case is necessarilly one of them, and any recommendation to simply 'stick it on a non-RCD circuit then problem solved: the RCD won't trip anymore' is negligent advice from a supposed electrician.

Mathew

Supposed Electrican?

 

[MJN]

· Has their been a water leak recently?

· Water in the electrics of a central heating system can cause an RCD to trip.

[...]

Vic,

If you are going to copy-and-paste from Google searches then at least fully attribute where you are getting your advice from (here) and be ensure to include all pertinent points, including:

The RCD is tripping for a reason – do not ignore the problem.

(Note how it also doesn't recommend ignoring the risk that there might be a problem and simply moving the heating system to a non-RCD supply)

Mathew

 

[vicvapour]

It is not negligent to put a boiler that has a small amount of earth leakage onto its own non-rcd protected circuit. Read this, there are many more.

http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=29471

Also if you have a PS3 and an earth leakage meter, just load a blu-ray disc up and look at the reading you get, mid you i wouldn't know because im a "supposed electrican" arent i!

 

[MJN]

Supposed Electrican?

Yes. We can all claim to be whoever we want on here so one must take things at face value.

Mathew

 

[vicvapour]

· Has their been a water leak recently?

· Water in the electrics of a central heating system can cause an RCD to trip.

[...]

Vic,

If you are going to copy-and-paste from Google searches then at least fully attribute where you are getting your advice from (here) and be ensure to include all pertinent points, including:

The RCD is tripping for a reason – do not ignore the problem.

(Note how it also doesn't recommend ignoring the risk that there might be a problem and simply moving the heating system to a non-RCD supply)

Mathew

Risk from what?

 

[vicvapour]

Supposed Electrican?

Yes. We can all claim to be whoever we want on here so one must take things at face value.

Mathew

Not sure what your getting at here, are you saying you dont belive me, or do you just want an argument with someone bud?

 

[MJN]

It is not negligent to put a boiler that has a small amount of earth leakage onto its own non-rcd protected circuit. Read this, there are many more.

http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=29471[/QUOTE]
Did you even read the thread yourself? I suspect not as the recommendation was not to move the boiler to a non-RCD but to pinpoint the nuisance tripping given that a N-E reading of 6 megs is not indicative of a fault, and hence it is not necessarilly the boiler being the culprit.

Mathew

 

[vicvapour]

void post

 

[vicvapour]

Ive got better things to do than argue with losers like you who want to argue all day long, ive got jobs to go to.

You clearly havnt which is why you are arging with "supposed electricans" instead of working you sad man

 

[MJN]

Risk from what?

Risk that there coule be a potentially hazardous level of earth leakage which is sufficient to trip an RCD but not the MCB.

Not sure what your getting at here, are you saying you dont belive me, or do you just want an argument with someone bud?

I'll be honest with you Vic, I am getting mixed messages. On the one hand you say you are a qualified electrician, which I am happy to accept, but on the other you seem to be advocating moving the boiler to a non-RCD supply to 'cure' this potential problem rather than taking measures to determine if there really is a fault. I trust you can understand that these two aspects might seem at odds with each other?

Mathew