Short-circuits!

[ALISONC]

Hello there

I had a conservatory built a few weeks ago, there are spot lights in the ceiling connected to a light switch (Obviously!!), a double power socket (which was already there) and a new RCD. I believe both the lights and the socket are connected to RCD because when one has no power, neither does the other. I have to press the RCD reset button (with a key as pressing with my finger isn't enough to reset it) to re-establish power and the red light is never illuminated on the RCD box.

So, should this keep tripping when the rest of house is fine?
Should I have to press in the switch with a key?
Should the little red light work on the RCD?

very confused and upset about the poor workmanship of these awful people. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Spark123]

It is a new consumer unit? RCDs detect missing current which is usually caused by a fault causing it to flow to earth, not usually needed for protecting lighting circuits. The lights need to have an overcurrent device such as an MCB, as do the sockets but these may be using an existing one. I don't follow what you mean by pressing it with a key - any RCD should be able to be reset without using a tool. Don't know what you mean by a red light too, is there any chance of uploading some photographs?
Have they provided any certificates for their work?

 

[Chri5]

Do you mean a sokcet with RCD like this ?

or this

Or are you talking about a main fuse board (otherwise known as a consumer unit) RCD

 

[RF Lighting]

Sounds like a powerbreaker RCD spur to me.

These have a neon behind the clear 'reset' button, to indicate if it is on.

 

[ALISONC]

The one shown by RF Lighting is more like what I have. The plug socket is seperate to the RCD.

 

[ALISONC]

Spark 123 - I use a key because it's as if the button has to be pressed in really far to meet with the connector behind it.

I paid for the certificate but have yet to receive it.

The electrician came out on Friday and said "I've just got a sensitive switch, some are like that".

 

[Spark123]

It shouldn't be tripping for no reason though
And I personally don't think you should need to use a key or similar to press a button to reset it.

 

[Click-Sure]

no, no, anyhting but powerbreaker rcd's! I was asked how many would be needed for a job i'll be doing soon, so thats 36 flats, 1 per flat so thats 50 given how unreliable they are!