"spamlet" wrote in message
. ..
The main RCD in our consumer unit seems to be very much on a 'hair
trigger' and cuts out regularly, causing mayhem to pc users and dvd
recorders!

We thought at first it was just when the heater in the washer/drier kicked
in, but closer observation shows that it trips in various combinations of
heating element devices like kettle/toaster/cooker/washer, tending most to
cut out if two of these happen to be on at once.

Also light circuit RCD always trips when a light bulb goes, but main also
trips if the light's earth is touched when removing lamp holders even when
the lighting RCD is 'off'?

The consumer unit was fitted by a competent electrician and the problem
was not immediately apparent after the fitting.

Do the RCDs wear out?
How can they be tested?

Cheers for any tips,

S


Well!
I have to say a big thankyou, and that I am very impressed with you all!
Thankyou for this excellent lesson and references to all who contributed.
I had not noticed there was even a Diy version of Wiki, and now it's been
pointed out, perhaps I will not have to trouble you with so many silly
questions in future.

Apologies for having been offline since asking the question, and for the
confusion caused by lumping RCDs and MCBs together - most of you saw what I
really meant, thanks.

It turns out that we had had two problems with elements at the same time. I
had just replaced an oven element, that had been gradually failing and was
only realised when it finally went completely open circuit.

After that replacement, I was anticipating a blissful end to the tripping,
but then I realised, after following up complaints from the 'other half'
that the washing machine was 'rubbish', that it had been washing in cold
water, and probably for some time!

A clip had come adrift inside the drum and allowed the heater element to be
rubbed down gradually, causing the leakage, but, subsequently, a damper
strut had broken, and thrown a connector off the element, thus showing up as
the 'cold water problem', and temporarily ending the tripping... Till I
went to put the connector back on (not, at that stage, noticing the broken
strut)!

I should have looked for this earth leakage problem before, but, as the
washing machine element was fairly new, I had thought that was probably ok,
and had not remembered about the clip that holds it away from the drum and
what might happen if this were to break...

So, it looks like I was taking the RCD's name in vain, and it really is
doing its job nicely (Though I do have a fair number of IT and video things
about, so I will definitely bear in mind all of what has been said in this
thread above in future).

So, now all I have to do is think of a way I might be able to retain a new
washing machine element in place without having to strip every last thing
out and split the drums, just for the sake of a little piece of stainless
'coathanger wire'. Drills and grommets come to mind, but that's for another
thread or forum.

Many thanks once again,

S