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Subject Topic: Problem With electrics - Help! Post Reply Post New Topic
Persongkkad
10/7/2013 at 9:49am
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We are away at the moment for our 2 wk holiday and are having problems with our eletrics, and i'm hoping somone may beeable to give me some ideas.

The main isolater keeps triping and will not turn back on unless i turn off one of the other two switches, the one labeled sockets/fire.

So I have now unplugged all sockets and ensured the fire is off, but can't get this trip switch to stay on - which i don't understand if there is no load?

This happened yesterday morning, but sorted itself after being left for a couple of hours. It then happened again yesterday evening and we thought it would fix again leaving overnight, but no joy this time.

It also happened about a year and a half ago, and we had the van in for servicing and mentioned this problem and asked for the electrics to be checked but they didn't manage to find anything

10 days to go - not sure we can survive with no sockets-Aggghhh!


Persontimtheenchanter
10/7/2013 at 10:17am
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
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Is the fridge on the same circuit that tripping?

its quite common for the elements to get damp in them, which causes tripping.

The main switch that is tripping is an RCD, it doesnt need a load, it detects any current leakage to earth, it only needs 30mA, which isn't much.

if the fridge, try running it on gas for a couple of days, it usually dries everything out so its fine, this is only a temporary fix, so would need a new element.

Failing that an electrician should be able to find the fault easily enough, what did the "electrics check" involve at servicing.
you would need an installation test meter to find the fault, an R1R2 test should find it, or insulation resistance.


Persongkkad
10/7/2013 at 10:58am
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Thanks for the help, the fridge seems to bee working ok, so don't hink it's rlated to that.

Thanks for the explanation re the RCD, and i'm sorry to admit I don't know what form the electrics check involved at the servicing.

Anything else i can try while we're on site?


Persondiscoadria
10/7/2013 at 11:25am
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If it's the main RCD tripping it could be a problem with the hook up lead as the two appliance outlets should (I say Should) trip if there is a problem on their circuits. Check the hook up lead for any signs of it being crushed etc and open the plug/ socket and check the connections inside. If that's all okay check the connections to the socket on the van.
Hope this helps and remember to unplug the lead from power source before all this.
Gary


Persongkkad
10/7/2013 at 11:47am
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It is the main RCD that trips but will then stay on ok as long as the "sockets/fire" isolater is off.

It only then trips when we turn on the sockets/fire switch.
I take it that if it was the cable it wouldn't stay on at all.


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Persondiscoadria
10/7/2013 at 12:12pm
 Location: Nth Manchester
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Having reread this I'm presuming that the two circuit switches are not RCD Trip switches, hence the main switch tripping.
If that's the case there must be a fault on the Socket/ heater circuit. Check all the sockets to make sure all the connections are in order ie bright copper wire and the screws tightened. Try to trace the wiring, again looking for crush areas etc and try again. If the wiring to the sockets is in order try disconnecting the heater. It's just a process of elimination if there is no test equipment available.
Gary


Persontimtheenchanter
10/7/2013 at 3:52pm
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the other 2 will not be RCDs.
A caravan consumer unit usually consists of an RCD main switch, and 2 or more MCBs.

there is a fault to earth somwhere, it need not be very big.
does the heater itself have an isolator, if so try switching that off and see what happens, otherwise its just checking I'm afraid.

check carefully the sockets, caravans are wired in flex, it only needs one strand out of place to cause problems.


Persongkkad
10/7/2013 at 5:56pm
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Thanks for all the help guys, after being off all night an theen tripping for a couple of hrs this morning, suddenly all is ok again.

No nearer solving the problem but immdediate problem averted - for now


Personmichael
10/7/2013 at 11:09pm
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if we overload our box it trips,not bothered it saves going for warden to reset the outside one.winter time we can use most things on 240 volt,but if we want the kettle on as well we turn off the water heater.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


Personirn bru
16/7/2013 at 7:11pm
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this happened to me and turned out to be the hot water element had gone.



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