I'm a novice to testing sockets so what do I need to know and what do I need to buy ? Toolstation has plenty of voltage testers. I want to make sure that the one I buy tells me what I want to know.
Somethings tripping the RCD (sockets)
- Thread starter HawkEye244
- Start date
RCDs trip when current is leaking to Ground ( the current in the Live wire through the RCD sensor is not the same as the current on the Neutral wire )
You need to find where the current is leaking.
It leaks through defective insulation, water and bodies.
To test the cabling you need a means to test the insulation resistance of that cable and the knowledge of how to use the device.
Tool Station do not appear to stock the insulation resistance measuring devices you will need.
"Megger" is the name of one of the nost popular brands.
You need to find where the current is leaking.
It leaks through defective insulation, water and bodies.
To test the cabling you need a means to test the insulation resistance of that cable and the knowledge of how to use the device.
Tool Station do not appear to stock the insulation resistance measuring devices you will need.
"Megger" is the name of one of the nost popular brands.
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If I was in your position, I would unplug all of the appliances that are on that particular circuit and plug them in and switch them on one at a time until it trips.
Over the years we have had very similar problems to yours and each time it has turned out to be a appliance at fault. The first time it was a iron that tripped the rcd and the last time was a freezer that started to trip the circuit. Both times there appeared to be nothing wrong with the appliances, but once we changed them the problem went away.
Good luck
Mike
Over the years we have had very similar problems to yours and each time it has turned out to be a appliance at fault. The first time it was a iron that tripped the rcd and the last time was a freezer that started to trip the circuit. Both times there appeared to be nothing wrong with the appliances, but once we changed them the problem went away.
Good luck
Mike
Other places are anywhere that water can or could meet electricity.
Outside sockets/lights, boilers, central heating valves and pumps are all prime suspects.
Outside sockets/lights, boilers, central heating valves and pumps are all prime suspects.
An RCD can be tripped by a fault that is on a circuit even though the MCB for that circuit has been switched OFF. This can confuse the person looking for the fault.
The best way to find an elusive fault is to disconnect both Live and Neutral at the consumer unit before testing for earth leakage on the circuit
The best way to find an elusive fault is to disconnect both Live and Neutral at the consumer unit before testing for earth leakage on the circuit
Advising a self described novice to disconnect phase and neutral in the consumer unit isn't good advice.
Which circuit, downstairs ring, upstairs ring, kitchen or bathroom..as in electric shower etc. If its a split supply then you will have 2 RCD,s So, which one trips.
Then unplug all the portable appliances(kettles etc) and switch off the fixed appliances(washer etc) and introduce them one by one to the circuit and see if it trips when operated.
Then.. if that doesnt help you need to start meggaring, and thats an engineers job so dont even go there. Admit your limitations and pay a call-out.
Do not force an rcd or mcb to work by trying to hold it on. Its tripping for a reason.
Then unplug all the portable appliances(kettles etc) and switch off the fixed appliances(washer etc) and introduce them one by one to the circuit and see if it trips when operated.
Then.. if that doesnt help you need to start meggaring, and thats an engineers job so dont even go there. Admit your limitations and pay a call-out.
Do not force an rcd or mcb to work by trying to hold it on. Its tripping for a reason.
I've checked some of the sockets and everything looks sound.
My suspicions are that it's the kettle. It has happened before now and I remember once the socket MCB went without flipping the RCD. There is only a cooker and lights on seperate circuits on the same RCD which never flip so it's 100% the sockets (something on the sockets).
Both this morning and yesterday morning coincided with boiling a kettle.
All info is appreciated. I'm going to see what I can do and if I need more pointers I'll ask.
My suspicions are that it's the kettle. It has happened before now and I remember once the socket MCB went without flipping the RCD. There is only a cooker and lights on seperate circuits on the same RCD which never flip so it's 100% the sockets (something on the sockets).
Both this morning and yesterday morning coincided with boiling a kettle.
All info is appreciated. I'm going to see what I can do and if I need more pointers I'll ask.
Out of interest the ones sold in toolstation and the like are basically only good for seeing if a circuit is live to make sure it's safe before working on it ?
Toolstation sell multimeters and voltage testers, but they aren't really the right tools to diagnose a fault like the one you have.
You need an insulation resistance tester - which is a device that tests resistance between two wires that ought not be connected and measures the (hopefully high) resistance between them - but whilst applying a high voltage (usually 500V or 1000V).
They're a specialist bit of kit that any electrician will have, but very few DIYers would get.
If you suspect the kettle, can you just replace it?
You need an insulation resistance tester - which is a device that tests resistance between two wires that ought not be connected and measures the (hopefully high) resistance between them - but whilst applying a high voltage (usually 500V or 1000V).
They're a specialist bit of kit that any electrician will have, but very few DIYers would get.
If you suspect the kettle, can you just replace it?
In that case probably best I get a sparky I know who will have something like that.
The funny thing is it's happened with both kettles now. Happened shortly after boiling a kettle one morning, next morning happened shortly after boiling a different kettle. Both are very old.
Might not be the kettle then. Getting a spark in is a good idea; problems like this can be complex to solve once the basics are eliminated.
Would something like this be of any use ?
http://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-k...er/45558#product_additional_details_container
http://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-k...er/45558#product_additional_details_container
Not for your problem, no.
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Have you done any work on the wiring?
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