RCD Behaviour

[thescullster]

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

[thescullster]

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

[Bob Minchin]

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

[Andrew Mawson]

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

AWEM

[ARW]

That's what I was thinking.

[thescullster]

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

Phil

[thescullster]

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

[ARW]

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

[ARW]

Replace MRS for MUM and call me wanker.