Mains sockets keep tripping

[Adamwallace]

When hooking up to mains supply on site in UK my consumer unit 16 amp trip switch (mcb? - I can never recall the right name) for the mains power sockets trips as soon as I switch on the main RCD.

This happens even without anything plugged in. All the other mains circuits remain ok (eg space & water heaters, fridge). I'm on a seasonal pitch and no probs for the first week or two, then tripped maybe once a week for another 3 weeks, and now is immediate if I flick on the trip switch.

All was ok on a previous site and I've had the 'van electrics professionally checked (found a loose connection, sorted, tested fine, but problem continued on return to present site. I have tried hooking up to different power pillars and changed pitch completely at one point. Other people on neighbouring pitches are not having problems. I'm now thinking of touring other sites to see if problem limited to this site.

On the other hand, I had a similar problem at home some years ago, which was solved by changing the relevant trip switch.
Any thought or suggestions?

 

[Vanderek]

Have you tried a different mains hook up lead?

 

[68c]

You seem to have covered most things, might be worth checking if there is a hard wired 240v supply to the fridge and heater. Not usually plugged into a socket so easily missed. My old three way fridge blew the trip, turned out the 240v wire pulled out of the connector on top of the fridge probably happened as I pulled the fridge inboard to check for gas leak.

 

[Jim]

Could be the battery charger.

 

[Adamwallace]

Forgot to say - had the hook-up lead tested at the same time. It was reportedly ok but maybe I should borrow another one

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[Raul]

A plug in socket tester could diagnose your circuits in the van. Handy to have it for polarity as well.
Like this one

LAP 16A Socket Tester 230V AC - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Pocket-sized, mains socket tester with LED indicators to show condition of circuit sockets. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Adamwallace]

You seem to have covered most things, might be worth checking if there is a hard wired 240v supply to the fridge and heater. Not usually plugged into a socket so easily missed. My old three way fridge blew the trip, turned out the 240v wire pulled out of the connector on top of the fridge probably happened as I pulled the fridge inboard to check for gas leak.

Thanks for that. I'll check that out.

 

[Adamwallace]

A plug in socket tester could diagnose your circuits in the van. Handy to have it for polarity as well.

 

[Adamwallace]

Thanks for that. I should have said , I have one & that's kind of where I started before seeking professional help. Cheers

 

[Adamwallace]

Could be the battery charger.

Ooh. Hadn't thought of that one. I'll check whether my professional tested that amongst everything else. Ta

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[Raul]

Well if your circuits test ok with the tester, is only two things left:
The feed plug and cable,
And the mcb that trips could be faulty.

 

[Adamwallace]

A plug in socket tester could diagnose your circuits in the van. Handy to have it for polarity as well.
Like this one

LAP 16A Socket Tester 230V AC - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Pocket-sized, mains socket tester with LED indicators to show condition of circuit sockets. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

Thanks mate. Got one. That's sort of where I started before getting professional help. Cheers

 

[Adamwallace]

Well if your circuits test ok with the tester, is only two things left:
The feed plug and cable,
And the mcb that trips could be faulty.

Thanks. I was beginning to think that way. Since my techie says he tested the mains hook up lead, I think I'll go for replacing the mcb. Ta

 

[Adamwallace]

Have you tried a different mains hook up lead?

Thanks. No, although my techie said he'd tested it ok. Maybe I'll borrow one and take it from there. Chers

 

[Adamwallace]

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll try another hook up cable "just in case" and if no improvement replace the mcb.
Cheers

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[Gromett]

I am not sure which MCB is tripping. Is it the one in the van or the one at the post?

If it is the one in the van then it is not the cable causing it.

 

[deleted79651]

Have you tried a different mains hook up lead?

We had that intermittent problem with the caravan. Tried other bollards, tried reversing the connectors, then borrowed a neighbouring caravan's ehu lead. Problem solved ...

Steve

 

[autorouter]

Do you have a picture of the 16A breaker? Does it have a 'Test' button on it, as well as the trip switch toggle?

When it trips, what exactly stops working? Does it affect the water heater and the electric element in the space heater? The fridge?

 

[Adamwallace]

Have you tried a different mains hook up lead?

Hi thanks. Not yet. Had mine professionally tested but will try to borrow another before buying a new mcb. Cheers

 

[pappajohn]

Basic MCB are around six quid... Just change it.
As it's tripping with nothing plugged in its gone lazy and trips for no reason.

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[Adamwallace]

Basic MCB are around six quid... Just change it.
As it's tripping with nothing plugged in its gone lazy and trips for no reason.

Lovely thanks. Ordered one now. Cheers

 

[Hirsch]

The same happened to me 2 weeks ago in the Friday night gales and rain. I left it until our last day and flicked the MCB and hey presto all ok. Going to get one of the gadgets from Screwfix tomorrow. Thanks for the tip

 

[Adamwallace]

The same happened to me 2 weeks ago in the Friday night gales and rain. I left it until our last day and flicked the MCB and hey presto all ok. Going to get one of the gadgets from Screwfix tomorrow. Thanks for the tip

Hmmm. What gadget?

 

[RandallC]

Thanks for that. I should have said , I have one & that's kind of where I started before seeking professional help. Cheers

Why what did it indicate?

 

[andy63]

my consumer unit 16 amp trip switch (mcb? - I can never recall the right name) for the mains power sockets trips as soon as I switch on the main RCD.

the 16 amp breaker that protects the circuit supplying your sockets trips when power is applied by switching the rcd trip on...
but all the other circuits remain live and work normally...

All the other mains circuits remain ok

if that is what is happening then you have a short in the wiring on your mains socket circuits...as you say there is nothing connected to the sockets,
or the breaker itself is faulty..
Andy

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[RandallC]

Re last post ANDY 63 (in case beating post)

No if the RCD trips all should be dead if not you have a problem that needs Pro help.

Opps how did i get this type face...

 

[Adamwallace]

Do you have a picture of the 16A breaker? Does it have a 'Test' button on it, as well as the trip switch toggle?

When it trips, what exactly stops working? Does it affect the water heater and the electric element in the space heater? The fridge?

No picture right now. However, only the mains SOCKETS stop working. Fridge, space & water heaters still work.

 

[Adamwallace]

the 16 amp breaker that protects the circuit supplying your sockets trips when power is applied by switching the rcd trip on...
but all the other circuits remain live and work normally...

if that is what is happening then you have a short in the wiring on your mains socket circuits...as you say there is nothing connected to the sockets,
or the breaker itself is faulty..
Andy

Thanks for that. My techie tells me all ok on all circuits. As you say, must be breaker that is faulty. Ordered one now. Cheers

 

[andy63]

No if the RCD trips all should be dead

in the ops original post it states all the other circuits remain on and working... so the rcd can't have tripped... it says the 16 amp breaker protecting the sockets circuit trips immediately... that would indicate a short circuit ..
Andy

 

[Adamwallace]

Do you have a picture of the 16A breaker? Does it have a 'Test' button on it, as well as the trip switch toggle?

When it trips, what exactly stops working? Does it affect the water heater and the electric element in the space heater? The fridge?

No picture right now. Everything works except mains sockets. Seems it must be mcb. Have ordered new one.