What would cause lots of MCBs to trip together?

Sep 27, 2019 Last reply: 6 years ago 8 Replies

Three phase DB. Turned up and tried to turn the lights on, to find that all the MCBs controlling circuits with lights (and some without), plus a submain that also had a lights circuit running from the secondary DB, we're off.



The only possibly explanation I can think of is that someone had turned them all off, because they were blindly trying to turn off the lights after working there and hadn't noticed the timer override master switch. Problem with that theory is that in order to turn the lights on in the first place they would have had to know about the override switch!



Is there any possible electrical fault which could trip half a dozen circuits and leave no signs, a maximum of 24 hours since the lights were circuits were last on. There was no evidence of water leakage.


If they have tripped, the toggles would be in the mid position. To reset/turn back on, they have to be turned to the fully "off" position and then "on". So it should be obvious if they have tripped or been turned off.

That assumes the MCBs have that design. Ours (MCBs and RCDs) have only two positions: fully on or fully off - there's no half-way state to say "tripped" as opposed to "turned off manually".

Maybe it's different for 3-phase distribution boards rather than domestic

1-phase ones.

Overvoltage on one or more of the phases can cause breakers to trp

Well it is "UK" diy On a 3 phase board you can have both single and three phase MCBs.

Can some one add that to the Ladybird book of electrics?

There is only one explanation.

Some pillock has turned the MCBs off.

There have been lots of storms, maybe a spike did it. Brian

Turn them on, and put some superglue on the MCB tabs then you will catch the culprit next time :-)

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