Tripping problem

[strongbowpeter]

In my meter box there is also a separate consumer unit for the garage electrics,there is only i light and I double plug in the garage and nothing left plugged in,the supply has never been very strong and trying to charge 2 electric bikes will trip it out,recently the garage has been tripping out overnight I thought I had found the problem by removing the LED bulb which seemed to cure the problem but it tripped again lastnight,I’ve checked the plugs and the light switch,could it be the consumer unit? And why would that supply overload when Ime charging the bikes.
Many thanks in advance

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You will need to state what is tripping - MCB, RCBO or RCD - or provide a photo of the thing which is tripping.

 

[strongbowpeter]

You will need to state what is tripping - MCB, RCBO or RCD - or provide a photo of the thing which is tripping.

Hi here’s a photo

 

[strongbowpeter]

In my meter box there is also a separate consumer unit for the garage electrics,there is only i light and I double plug in the garage and nothing left plugged in,the supply has never been very strong and trying to charge 2 electric bikes will trip it out,recently the garage has been tripping out overnight I thought I had found the problem by removing the LED bulb which seemed to cure the problem but it tripped again lastnight,I’ve checked the plugs and the light switch,could it be the consumer unit? And why would that supply overload when Ime charging the bikes.
Many thanks in advance

 

[terryplumb]

The left switch is an MCB ,the right is an RCD. Which trips ??

 

[ericmark]

My e-bikes do not use much power to re-charge, typical recharge graph.

So around 125 watts peak usage, so unlikely to overload a 20 amp MCB, and both my bikes use a class II charger so also unlikely to trip a RCD.

You have not yet said if the RCD or MCB is tripping, I would guess the larger unit to right the RCD, but neither e-bikes or light should cause this.

 

[strongbowpeter]

The left switch is an MCB ,the right is an RCD. Which trips ??

The left one

 

[terryplumb]

Does that trip when nothing is plugged in ? If so there is a short or the MCB is duff.

 

[strongbowpeter]

My e-bikes do not use much power to re-charge, typical recharge graph. View attachment 264580 So around 125 watts peak usage, so unlikely to overload a 20 amp MCB, and both my bikes use a class II charger so also unlikely to trip a RCD.

You have not yet said if the RCD or MCB is tripping, I would guess the larger unit to right the RCD, but neither e-bikes or light should cause this.

Before I replaced the faulty LED light in the garage both tripped out

 

[ericmark]

A 20 amp MCB needs a load of around 4.6 kW to trip, i.e. more than a 13 amp socket can supply. Some thing missing, no bulb or e-bike charger should trip that.

 

[strongbowpeter]

Does that trip when nothing is plugged in ? If so there is a short or

Does that trip when nothing is plugged in ? If so there is a short or the MCB is duff.

at the moment there is only a security light plugged in,it was ok for 2 nights then tripped and now it’s been ok for 3 nights

 

[strongbowpeter]

Does that trip when nothing is plugged in ? If so there is a short or the MCB is duff.

Can I change the MCB or do I need an electrician

 

[terryplumb]

If you know what you are doing, and can do it safely ,then you can . As it may not be a problem with the MCB ,it would make more sense to engage an electrician to diagnose what the cause is.
As you have given us further information ,re : the RCD also tripped, that would indicate issues other than the MCB itself.