RCD switch keeps tripping

groovyger · 11-09-2023 4:08pm #1

Hi there I don’t know if anyone still looks at this section but here goes. The RCD switch in my fuse box has tripped and it won’t go back up. It’s indicating that my sockets downstairs are the problem but I have pulled all the plugs out of the sockets and nothing- still tripping. Any ideas?

HorseSea · 11-09-2023 4:29pm

No electrical experience here, just a consumer, but I had a similar issue a few years ago and the local electrician checked around and said it could just be the RCD switch itself on the fuse board, installed new one and no problem since. He said they go rarely, but sometimes it's as simple as that. Not a DIY job though.

allinthehead · 11-09-2023 4:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058313264/rcd-switch-keeps-tripping

Any rain where you are? Outside socket etc.

You could try putting all the mcb's the rcd controls in the down position and see if the rcd will go back up. Then put the mcb's up one by one.

If that fails then you need an electrician.

Bruthal. · 11-09-2023 4:30pm

Turn off all the socket mcbs. Then see will the RCD reset. If so, turn on socket mcbs 1 at a time and see will one cause the RCD to trip.

groovyger · 11-09-2023 4:38pm

Thanks guys. Think it’s an electrician job

meercat · 11-09-2023 4:45pm

Make sure your immersion is turned off

groovyger · 11-09-2023 4:46pm

It is

meercat · 11-09-2023 4:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058313264/rcd-switch-keeps-tripping

Why do you say it’d indicating down stairs sockets

groovyger · 11-09-2023 4:48pm

Because that’s the switch that keeps tripping the RCD

meercat · 11-09-2023 5:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121098145#Comment_121098145

It’s most likely a neutral to earth fault

it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the faulty circuit

it may trip when it’s drawing a load

move an appliance up stairs and try it in a working socket (kettle or toaster) and see does it trip

also turn your heating off (sometimes the pump may go faulty)

groovyger · 11-09-2023 5:09pm

This is my circuit board. As you can see the RCD is in the on position and one of the smaller switches is in the off position. The switch that is down says downstairs sockets. As soon as I go to put it up the RCD gets tripped.

groovyger · 11-09-2023 5:12pm

My kitchen sockets are on a different switch and all of them are okay??

meercat · 11-09-2023 5:20pm

Is there an outside socket (as others have asked)

or power to a shed from this circuit

groovyger · 11-09-2023 5:40pm

There is power to the shed but I don’t know where that comes from. My ex husband did it when we first moved into the house

groovyger · 11-09-2023 5:41pm

I don’t have any outdoor sockets

Mike3549 · 11-09-2023 5:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121098334#Comment_121098334

Theres a big chance that its sockets in the shed, connected to the downstairs sockets line.

How your fridge? We had an rcd fuse tripping, at first it was once a day for 2-3days, then the frequency increased to every 30mins. Found out that it was something connected to the sockets and then my daughter asked me if I can fix the fridge? Problem found.

Try disconnecting everything downstairs. If its still tripping, then probably its sockets in the shed.

If not, them try connecting some appliances, fridge, tv, broadband router etc...

Lenar3556 · 11-09-2023 10:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121098334#Comment_121098334

What would be the prospects of getting him back to have a look?

chrisd2019 · 11-09-2023 10:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121098334#Comment_121098334

what is connected in the shed?

disconnect everything and check the switch again.

groovyger · 11-09-2023 10:40pm

Oh I would say absolutely nonexistent

groovyger · 11-09-2023 10:44pm

The only thing connected in the shed is the tumble dryer. I don’t use it very often and we did try taking the plug out but the switch still tripped

groovyger · 13-09-2023 10:37am

Thank you guys for all your help. I eventually had to get an electrician out and it was the wiring for the shed that was causing the problem. All sorted now

gabbo is coming · 15-11-2023 3:16pm

Hi, I have an armoured cable.gojng out.to a garden room. Only there's a join in it, under the garden.

When it used rain heavy, it would trip and wouldn't let a reset until it had dried out

Three months ago I did a job on it, got a real ip65 junction box. Thr other day, it tripped again, for thr 1st time

Now it keeps tripping, but unlike before, it will stay on for 15 seconds and then trip. Is it the same issue? Seems more like load?

kirk. · 15-11-2023 3:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121371857#Comment_121371857

Did you use a proper resin joint

The stuff you mix and pour in

Regular IP joint boxes are no good over time

gabbo is coming · 15-11-2023 6:37pm

Have a very good junction box, looking to get gel to fill it

Hard to purchase

kirk. · 15-11-2023 7:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121372680#Comment_121372680

The gel should be available at wholesalers afaik

You should have used below

https://www.eurosales.ie/products/cellpack-joint-kits-cpjkts.html

gabbo is coming · 15-11-2023 7:08pm

Gonna pump this in to a wiska box

kirk. · 15-11-2023 7:12pm

Was it damp inside the box

Haven't seen that stuff before

gabbo is coming · 15-11-2023 7:51pm

I've yet to take a look, but was with previous box

whizbang · 19-11-2023 12:26am

I wouldnt go sealing in the moisture just yet...

Have you a sensor light or something timed on the outside circuit? 15 secs everytime is telling you something.

gabbo is coming · 25-11-2023 8:47am

Hi, definitely moisturise in the box, it had a load of visible water in it. Dried it and sorted. Here's the stuff I bought

IMG-20231125-WA0004.jpeg

Comer1 · 25-11-2023 8:59am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058313264/rcd-switch-keeps-tripping

I had this problem for years, absolute nightmare. Everyone said it is very unlikely to be the the switch itself so I changed many items in the house. Got in an electrician and he said the same but I asked him to change the switch anyway. Problem solved.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058085808/rcd-tripping-every-three-to-four-days

HorseSea · 25-11-2023 12:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121415716#Comment_121415716

Yeap, that's what I said way back in original reply to OP.

kirk. · 25-11-2023 9:26pm

You might get lucky with a less sensitive RCD but ime there's nearly always an underlying issue

You've a better chance of rcbos solving the issue cos they're splitting up the leakage .More expensive though.

Reading the ops description there that's usually a fault anyhow

RCD switch keeps tripping

Answers