Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At the time
she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer going flat out,
but these are not old appliances so this is disappointing.

The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before phoning me and said
it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that there was no
resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the toggle switch simply
dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be sure she
had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to reset the
device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to laundry
activities?



Thanks

Phil

On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At the time
she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer going flat out,
but these are not old appliances so this is disappointing.

The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before phoning me and said
it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that there was no
resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the toggle switch simply
dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be sure she
had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to reset the
device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to laundry
activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit is the
microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to loosen grime
from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD tripping surely?

Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD behaviour above please.

Thanks

Phil

thescullster wrote:
On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At the time
she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer going flat out,
but these are not old appliances so this is disappointing.

The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before phoning me and said
it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that there was no
resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the toggle switch simply
dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be sure she
had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to reset the
device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to laundry
activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit is the
microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to loosen grime
from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD tripping surely?

Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD behaviour above please.

Thanks

Phil
I'd consider it highly likely that making steam in an otherwise cold
device ie microwave casing would cause condensation leading to RCD trips.

With 'grime' in the cavity it sounds like she is in the habit of heating
stuff un covered which I would of thought to be ill-advised as well

"thescullster" wrote in message
...

On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At the time
she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer going flat out,
but these are not old appliances so this is disappointing.

The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before phoning me and said
it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that there was no
resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the toggle switch simply
dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be sure she
had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to reset the
device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to laundry
activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit is the
microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to loosen grime
from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD tripping surely?

Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD behaviour above please.

Thanks

Phil

Some RCDs won't reset until you press them 'even more off' first.

AWEM

Andrew Mawson wrote:
"thescullster" wrote in message
...

On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At
the time she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer
going flat out, but these are not old appliances so this is
disappointing. The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before
phoning me
and said it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that
there was no resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the
toggle switch simply dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be
sure she had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to
reset the device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to
laundry activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit is the
microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to loosen
grime from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD tripping surely?

Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD behaviour above
please. Thanks

Phil

Some RCDs won't reset until you press them 'even more off' first.

That's what I was thinking.

--
Adam

On 21/03/2013 14:26, Bob Minchin wrote:
thescullster wrote:
On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At the time
she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer going flat out,
but these are not old appliances so this is disappointing.

The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before phoning me and said
it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that there was no
resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the toggle switch simply
dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be sure she
had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to reset the
device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to laundry
activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit is the
microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to loosen grime
from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD tripping surely?

Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD behaviour above
please.

Thanks

Phil
I'd consider it highly likely that making steam in an otherwise cold
device ie microwave casing would cause condensation leading to RCD trips.

With 'grime' in the cavity it sounds like she is in the habit of heating
stuff un covered which I would of thought to be ill-advised as well

Thanks Bob

To be fair the uncovered food is more likely to be the kids!

Phil

On 21/03/2013 16:57, ARW wrote:
Andrew Mawson wrote:
"thescullster" wrote in message
...

On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At
the time she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer
going flat out, but these are not old appliances so this is
disappointing. The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD before
phoning me
and said it was "floppy". From what she said I understood that
there was no resistance when trying to reset the RCD and the
toggle switch simply dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be
sure she had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this what
usually happens if the fault still exists when you attempt to
reset the device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to
laundry activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit is the
microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to loosen
grime from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD tripping surely?

Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD behaviour above
please. Thanks

Phil

Some RCDs won't reset until you press them 'even more off' first.

That's what I was thinking.


Hi Adam

This is a Hager device which has dropped out or been tested a few times
previously and it has never needed to be pushed "even more off" before
reset.

Phil

thescullster wrote:
On 21/03/2013 16:57, ARW wrote:
Andrew Mawson wrote:
"thescullster" wrote in message
...

On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At
the time she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and dryer
going flat out, but these are not old appliances so this is
disappointing. The thing is, she had tried to reset the RCD
before phoning me
and said it was "floppy". From what she said I understood
that there was no resistance when trying to reset the RCD and
the toggle switch simply dropped back to the off position.

When she called me, I talked her through the re-setting to be
sure she had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this
what usually happens if the fault still exists when you
attempt to reset the device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to
laundry activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit
is the microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to
loosen grime from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD
tripping surely? Would still appreciate input on the subject of RCD
behaviour
above please. Thanks

Phil

Some RCDs won't reset until you press them 'even more off' first.

That's what I was thinking.


Hi Adam

This is a Hager device which has dropped out or been tested a few
times previously and it has never needed to be pushed "even more off"
before reset.

No - Hagers do not fail in the halfway position:-). - the correct term.

I probably have one knocking around should you need a replacement. If you
want it as a back up then say so and I'll get it into the post for you. What
is its current rating? - and do not say 30mA...........

Personally I suspect that there was still a current imbalance when your Mum
reset the RCD, but a free spare is yours if you want it.

Cheers

--
Adam

ARW wrote:
thescullster wrote:
On 21/03/2013 16:57, ARW wrote:
Andrew Mawson wrote:
"thescullster" wrote in message
...

On 21/03/2013 13:55, thescullster wrote:
Hi all

Bit of a dum question on RCDs coming up....

My Mrs just called cos power had gone to all sockets.
Apparently the RCD covering 3 socket circuits had tripped. At
the time she was doing laundry i. e. washing machine and
dryer going flat out, but these are not old appliances so
this is disappointing. The thing is, she had tried to reset
the RCD before phoning me
and said it was "floppy". From what she said I understood
that there was no resistance when trying to reset the RCD
and the toggle switch simply dropped back to the off
position. When she called me, I talked her through the
re-setting to
be sure she had it right, but this time the RCD reset OK.

Does this suggest that the RCD is on the way out, or is this
what usually happens if the fault still exists when you
attempt to reset the device?
If it was due to a lingering fault, how can I trace this?
Is it likely to be a transient "damp in stuff" issue due to
laundry activities?



Thanks

Phil



OK so er indoors just rang to say that she thinks the culprit
is the microwave! When the door is closed, RCD drops out.
Apparently she had been heating/boiling some water/lemon to
loosen grime from cavity. But this shouldn't cause RCD
tripping surely? Would still appreciate input on the subject
of RCD behaviour
above please. Thanks

Phil

Some RCDs won't reset until you press them 'even more off'
first.

That's what I was thinking.


Hi Adam

This is a Hager device which has dropped out or been tested a few
times previously and it has never needed to be pushed "even more
off" before reset.

No - Hagers do not fail in the halfway position:-). - the correct
term.
I probably have one knocking around should you need a replacement. If
you want it as a back up then say so and I'll get it into the post
for you. What is its current rating? - and do not say 30mA...........

Personally I suspect that there was still a current imbalance when
your Mum reset the RCD, but a free spare is yours if you want it.


Replace MRS for MUM and call me ******.

--
Adam