Rcd trips on all circuits

[newcomer1]

Hi there, I was wondering if any one could help me as I'm really desperate for a solution to this quandary.

I was fitting an MCB into the Wylex (split) consumer unit for a shower circuit and due to lack of space on the RCD side I moved an mcb that was connected to the garage (I moved this out of the RCD side as I know it has its own RCD unit IN the garage to protect it anyway). Unfortunately I forgot to move the neutral wire over as well and of course the RCD kept tripping immediately.
I replaced everything as I found it but it still keeps doing the same thing;
With everything unplugged the rcd is fine,as soon as I plug in and turn on anything with more than a couple of amps it trips immediately. (It doesn't trip if I plug in a phone charger say, but a tv or a hair dryer tips it straight off!) It doesn't even matter what circuit I plug the stuff in it just trips it as soon as I turn something on.
Now I never had any problems until I tried to install a new mcb (and forgot to cross over the neutral) The call out engineer is claiming that I've mucked up the wiring and caused a Neutral imbalance that he cannot detect (after megging the circuits they all showed good results except for downstairs sockets (or garage perhaps, not sure which exactly. but even that was over 10 Mega ohms)).
He did test the consumer unit with a second RCD, but it was a used one that had no doubt been rolling round the back of his van for weeks on end.
To confirm if it was Neutral bleed he even put all circuits (including lighting circuits) onto the RCD but the situation didn't change.

I'm hoping it's merely a case of defunct RCD and a new one is in order or is it something else???

 

[securespark]

You must have left something crossed over. Post a picture.

Double check that for each live on each side of the board, the corresponding neutral is in the respective neutral bar.

 

[newcomer1]

DEFINATELY nothing left crossed over as the emergency electrician physically checked each cable and I hadnt altered the circuits anywhere else in the house ( as I mentioned I returned i exactly how I found it before calling him out.)

'Fraid I cant put up a picture as I dont have a camera.

Ps, thank you very much for such a rapid response.

 

[newcomer1]

Is it highly unlikely that the RCD could have developed a fault or are they fairly sensitive to incorrect wiring setups?

 

[securespark]

What else did the emergency electrician do? And where did he come from?

Did he leave paperwork? If so, what were the results of his tests?

Did he check operation of the RCD to make sure it was not faulty?

Have you isolated ALL appliances completely from the circuits?

Can you post a picture?

it could have a fault - I've had them straight out of the box faulty - but not exhibiting the symptoms you describe. Usually, they don't trip.

 

[newcomer1]

The insurance company sent him out (sub contracted).

The only paper work left was the usual stuff stating time of arrival/ departure,small paragraph about unable to locate fault. Basically just enough to get him paid sort of thing. All the technical work he took with him.

I know he did use his meter on the RCD but that may have been to test for voltage or continuity (he didnt explain much to me)

All appliences where isolated (unplugged, and fuses taken out of the spurs for water pump and saniflow system etc)

 

[newcomer1]

it could have a fault - I've had them straight out of the box faulty - but not exhibiting the symptoms you describe. Usually, they don't trip.

I was thinking maybe because I didnt swap over the Neutral it some how screwed up the coils inside so it trips whenever 30 ma goes through the main part (making it think that its going through the trip section) so it flips the switch?

Sorry can't do photo but like I said it is all back to how it started of that I'm certain.

 

[securespark]

It is, from your description of the symptoms, unlikely to be faulty.

However, your EE should have tested it. But you don't have the results....

What supply type have you?