Electrical Advice

[brakespear]

We have standard electrical system at home with a circuit breaker box with two rings, each with several spurs. A while back we had an issue where a new washing machine kept tripping one of the breakers when put on fastest wash, resolved by not using the fastest wash anymore.

In the last week we have had an issue with the kettle tripping the same breaker, just at the point of boiling but have been able to return power by waiting the requisite time before flipping it back.

Today though the breaker has flipped, have waited the required period and flipped it back but no power to the three sockets it serves. Breaker goes back up, square changes from black to orange but no power.

Just mentioning also coincidentally that the mother in law has just stated she has a dead socket too, and, like us, she has the gas pipes being replaced outside. Surely that would knock everything out though?

Any ideas gratefully received, not attempting to fix myself just want an idea of what it might be.

 

[happypig]

Ohm's second law : "don't f**k about with mains"

I would get a sparks in to have a proper look. Without knowing exactly how the sockets are wired its difficult to diagnose.

Two things though, your washing machine and kettle are ****ed.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

We have standard electrical system at home with a circuit breaker box with two rings, each with several spurs. A while back we had an issue where a new washing machine kept tripping one of the breakers when put on fastest wash, resolved by not using the fastest wash anymore.

In the last week we have had an issue with the kettle tripping the same breaker, just at the point of boiling but have been able to return power by waiting the requisite time before flipping it back.

Today though the breaker has flipped, have waited the required period and flipped it back but no power to the three sockets it serves. Breaker goes back up, square changes from black to orange but no power.

Just mentioning also coincidentally that the mother in law has just stated she has a dead socket too, and, like us, she has the gas pipes being replaced outside. Surely that would knock everything out though?

Any ideas gratefully received, not attempting to fix myself just want an idea of what it might be.

CB likely to be at fault. They can become very sensitive easy to change just turn off the mains remove it (easily done), turn mains back on, trot down to electrical store buy a new one fit it as per removal remembering to turn mains off again prior to fitting it. Turn everything back on, then enjoy the fact you've saved a fortune.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Two things though, your washing machine and kettle are ****ed.

Why?

 

[brakespear]

Ohm's second law : "don't f**k about with mains"

I would get a sparks in to have a proper look. Without knowing exactly how the sockets are wired its difficult to diagnose.

Two things though, your washing machine and kettle are ****ed.

Thank you, will not be attempting anything myself.

 

[brakespear]

CB likely to be at fault. They can become very sensitive easy to change just turn off the mains remove it (easily done), turn mains back on, trot down to electrical store buy a new one fit it as per removal remembering to turn mains off again prior to fitting it. Turn everything back on, then enjoy the fact you've saved a fortune.

Thank you for the suggestion, did wonder if it was something to do with sensitivity of the board.

 

[Justice]

Could be one of a few things not necessarily the mcb really hard to tell you what's wrong without using testing equipment.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

CB likely to be at fault. They can become very sensitive easy to change just turn off the mains remove it (easily done), turn mains back on, trot down to electrical store buy a new one fit it as per removal remembering to turn mains off again prior to fitting it. Turn everything back on, then enjoy the fact you've saved a fortune.

Except there are a lot of blue sparks and flashing lights, a loud bang, and you find yourself in the next but one street, minus hair, plus some interesting new black marks which are not tattoos, and a new strange scent of charred flesh all around.

 

[moggy]

For gods sake!
Surely you've unplugged everything on that circuit first and then turned the breaker back on.

 

[knocky1]

Thank you for the suggestion, did wonder if it was something to do with sensitivity of the board.

Watt you have to remember is the sensitivity of the NSC board is usually highly charged but some bright spark usually comes up with a solution.

 

[happypig]

Why?

turn on appliance, breaker pops, likely to be duff appliance.

 

[Justice]

turn on appliance, breaker pops, likely to be duff appliance.

True but that's not the OPs issue.

 

[bhawoddy]

Never try and do your own electrical work. Always find a skilled electrician to diagnose and remedy the issue.

 

[happypig]

True but that's not the OPs issue.

yeah, sorry.

 

[brakespear]

For gods sake!
Surely you've unplugged everything on that circuit first and then turned the breaker back on.

Yes And tried plugging different items back in first.

 

[moggy]

Yes And tried plugging different items back in first.

So everything is unplugged from the circuit but you still can't reset the mcb ?

So the mcb has a thermal bimetal strip which over time will fail from excess heat, overcurrent. It could be this or if not there's a fault on the ring.
What I suggest you do first is change he 32a breaker.if it still doesn't work then the ring will need testing.

 

[brakespear]

So everything is unplugged from the circuit but you still can't reset the mcb ?

It resets (as in the switch stays up and teh indicator changes from black to orange) but no power to the sockets on the spur.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Circuit breakers trip because, either:
* The circuit is overloaded and attempting to draw more current [power] than it can safely handle.
* There is a short circuit, in which electrical current is escaping the circuit wires and flowing where it shouldn't be. There are several ways in which a short circuit can occur ....
* faulty consumer unit [least likely]

As others have said, if you're not confident / competent with electrics, call in a qualified sparky to investigate

 

[swindonseagull]

Just had a week of RCD tripping at various times of the day, Done all the good things, unplugged all appliances, turned of circuits one by one,
Reprogrammed pre heat on the boiler...
Put the fridges on a plug in RCD......still it kept tripping..

Transposed the RCD's on the CB .......tripped again..

Lots of scratching head and tightening neutral and live connections on plug sockets and lights.... nothing .....still tripped..

Picked up laptop to find a local leckie as I was beat....tripped again....Put the Laptop on a plug in RCD .....bingo was the poxy laptop mains cable....

 

[swindonseagull]

It resets (as in the switch stays up and teh indicator changes from black to orange) but no power to the sockets on the spur.

Is the spur on an extension? or original with the house build? Is there a fused socket?