rcd replacement

[jimsmx5]

Hi,
I have a tennant in a house who has said that the rcd is tripping when a kettle or the iron is plugged in and turned on, all other stuff tv etc has no effect on the rcd. This has only been an issue for the last week or so. Am i right in thinking it could just be the rcd that needs replacing, the consumer unit was renewed 2 years ago under a government initiative and there has never been any faults till now. Im not sure the rcd is new as in 2 years old as it looks slightly battered, thats why im thinking it could just need replacing.

All thoughts appreciated
cheers jim.

 

[Chri5]

Try another kettle and iron, both can become leaky and cause rcd trip.

Could get them PAT tested to id if the root cause is the appliances or the rcd.

 

[jimsmx5]

Thanks chris,
i will take mine from home and try them out, would be odd for both items to have developed a fault at the same time though. I wondered if the load on the socket circuit could be causing the rcd to trip as both kettles and irons have an element to heat.

jim.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If they've got lots of electronic equipment on the same circuit that could have pushed the "background" leakage current up to the point where it doesn't take much more to trip the RCD.

Try your appliances, if there are other things on the circuit unplug them and try their appliances again.

If that still doesn't point to the answer get your electrician in to check the circuit and the RCD, don't just replace the RCD.

 

[jimsmx5]

Thanks, ban all sheds,
I will do as you suggest and see what happens. If all else fails i will get a sparky in but would like to try to resolve the issue myself hence i asked the initial question. I can only think that the circuit must be overloaded as you suggest as the system passed the electrical safety inspection after the cu was changed and got a 15 year bill of health. In my experience things don't tend to just go wrong with the wiring unless someone puts a nail through them or something equally daft, the joy of tenants.

Thanks again.
jim

 

[ericmark]

If anything has an earth leakage to the neutral then as the load increases so will the leakage to earth so any item like a kettle and iron which draw high current may cause it to trip.

The fault could be anything with a neutral and earth connection.

As said the PAT tester is easy way. But un-plugging all other items is a good start so only kettle or iron is plugged in.