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Tripping on one socket

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  • 01-10-2018 1:58pm
    #1
    Payton
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭


    Ive just noticed that when i plug in the hoover on a socket that ive used before it trips the breaker.
    I have put a lamp in to the socket and it works fine and the hoover to differant sockets and its all ok. It just seems to be that particular socket, so I knocked the power off and replaced the socket itself thinking it might be damaged but its still the same.
    Any ideas what it could be?
    Edit: The wires are doubled over going in to the locations on the socket and the earth wire is sheathed.


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    #2
    seamus
    Registered Users Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Plugging in the hoover to that specific socket is causing an overload.

    Plug out everything else on that circuit and try the hoover on that socket again. Hoovers draw quite a lot of power, so it might be tipping the circuit over the edge.

    Another issue I've seen before is where a socket has been added to a circuit using a wire that's not the appropriate gauge. When you attach a power-heavy device to the circuit (such as a hoover or washing machine), the thinner wire may spark and short, tripping the breaker. Obviously in this case you need to find the culprit and replace the wire with the appropriate gauge.


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    #3
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    Is it the breaker with the test button that is tripping?


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    #4
    Payton
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭Payton


    Thanks for the replies.
    The socket is located 5ft under the circuit board and as far as I know it is in the switch on the board that was the immersion as I dont have an immersion connected for the last 18 months.
    I didn't have a problem before with this socket as its at the front door and I would have used it before with the hoover.
    I've attached a photo of the breaker if that helps.


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    #5
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    What type of hoover is it? (is it double insulated or not)


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    #6
    Payton
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭Payton


    brightspark wrote: »
    What type of hoover is it? (is it double insulated or not)

    It's a Nilfisk Neo. The rating sticker is partly worn away I think a can make out part of the double squares.


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    #7
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    It probably is double insulated, that makes an earth fault considerably less likely (though still possible)

    Do you have a portable heater to test in the socket? (something that uses more current than a lamp)

    As the socket is so close to the distribution board is it the only one on that circuit? or is the cable also feeding something else?


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    #8
    Payton
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭Payton


    brightspark wrote: »
    It probably is double insulated, that makes an earth fault considerably less likely (though still possible)

    Do you have a portable heater to test in the socket? (something that uses more current than a lamp)

    As the socket is so close to the distribution board is it the only one on that circuit? or is the cable also feeding something else?
    I have ran various tools from the socket and a kangoo drill and a steamer to remove wallpaper.
    Its the only socket on that circuit.


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    #9
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    I think you need to get in a REC to test the cable. (unless you are a REC of course)


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    #10
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Payton wrote: »
    I have ran various tools from the socket and a kangoo drill and a steamer to remove wallpaper.
    Its the only socket on that circuit.

    Is that since the socket started tripping?


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    #11
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    In what way is the immersion disconnected from that breaker, assuming it was connected to it?

    Is the cable up to the immersion location still connected?

    Does the vacuum cleaner trip the breaker every time? Is it as soon as switched on, or a delay?

    Try boiling a kettle at the problem socket.


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    #12
    Payton
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭Payton


    brightspark wrote: »
    Is that since the socket started tripping?
    No I havnt used the socket in a while for anything heavy, there is just a plug in air freshener in at the moment


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    #13
    Payton
    Registered Users Posts: 1,685 ✭✭✭Payton


    Bruthal wrote: »
    In what way is the immersion disconnected from that breaker, assuming it was connected to it?

    Is the cable up to the immersion location still connected?

    Does the vacuum cleaner trip the breaker every time? Is it as soon as switched on, or a delay?

    Try boiling a kettle at the problem socket.
    The immersion circuit was disconnected as I dont have an immersion on my hot water cylinder so the electrian who did the wiring for the heating and bonding of the gas put the socket on the 20A switch that was used for the immersion on the distribution board.
    I tried boiling the kettle and it trips out.


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    #14
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Payton wrote: »
    T
    I tried boiling the kettle and it trips out.

    This indicates that the problem isn't just with your vacuum cleaner but is caused by a high enough load.

    There is probably a neutral earth fault somewhere. With the correct test equipment it will be relatively easy for a REC to find the problem.


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