A/C unit tripping electrics when it rains

[quig]

In 2005 I had a Millenniumair KFR-34GW Air Conditioning unit from Global Cooling installed to cool an attic room, after reading about the company on here. It plugs into a socket. Recently if the unit was running the sockets in the house tripped about 15 minutes after it started to rain. I don't know where the water is getting in but I've tried to cover (some of) the unit with a plastic table, tape and bin bags, and after doing this it trips after hours rather than minutes. Is there anything that can be done, without replacing the whole system?

Photos:

Now In 2005

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[quig]

The consumer unit has an RCD, which IIRC is what trips.

Photo of consumer unit (not tripped):

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[quig]

I did get an electrician to look at it. He took the cover off the outdoor unit, but wasn't sure what the problem was.

Diagram:

Inside outdoor unit:

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[quig]

I don't recall him testing the components, but I can't be sure that he didn't as it was some time ago. I did switch on the unit for him. He suggested that it might be a component but wasn't sure.

I did try an air duster, but at the recommended 1 second bursts it wasn't making much difference.

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[tabbypurr]

??

insulation test the unit to confirm whether it's the problem. If it trips during rain it could be due to either rain getting into it or just the increase in RH causing borderline insulation to conduct. If it's now protected from rain it may be the latter. Again divide & conquer, use an insulation tester. Hopefully you can locate the defective part. Sometimes nothing more than a surface clean is needed.

NT

[Brian Gaff (Sofa 2]

It would be interesting to find out exactly what current and which parts are causing it. It might give a better clue. IE if its almost tripping all the time it might be easier to find. Brian

[harry]

You don't say if an RCCD is fitted and if it's that that trips rather than an overload.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Why did you say MCB then?

[Cynic]

I'd hazard a guess there's a leaky weatherproof seal or a damp cobweb somewhere but given your apparent inability to differentiate between an mcb and an rcd I strongly suggest you get someone who knows what he is doing to investigate.

[tabbypurr]

Looks like a bunch of dust in there between electrics & case. I'd clean it but I don't advise you do.

What testing did he do? Isolate various bits & megger them? Or did he just literally look under the cover & give up?

NT

[Cynic]

You'd be much better getting an a/c specialist in to sort the problem out. Considering the electronic circuitry in a modern unit don't let anyone waving a megger about go anywhere near the unit.