RCD tripping

[Figaro]

Twice recently the house 80 amp RCD in the consumer unit has tripped out when I put the van on charge, another time if didn`t trip.
This was the main RCD, not the trip switches that protect each ring main
Could it be as simple as moisture in the ehu at the van that a squirt of WD40 would cure ?
It`s never done it before in winter and no electrical work has been done on house or van
TIA

 

[Lenny HB]

I would check the wiring on your hook up lead a wire may have pulled out of a connection and is shorting.
Next to the socket on the outside of the house for any moisture in it.

 

[xsparks]

Check out the length of lead for damage. It my be a small nick allowing in moisture. If you're confident you could open the plug and socket to check for shorting. It takes very little to trip an rcd .

 

[63720]

Have you got another lead to try?

 

[Figaro]

Have you got another lead to try?

Yes, I`ll try it tomorrow, thanks all

If I do it now and interupt Emerdale I`ll be in big trouble !

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[63720]

Yes, I`ll try it tomorrow, thanks all

If I do it now and interupt Emerdale I`ll be in big trouble !

If the other lead works ok you could cut 1ft off each end of the faulty one and remake the ends then try it again.

 

[rosalan]

If all else is ok, then you could try eliminating fixtures on the van that are 220 volt. Tracing any possible damp from the input socket outside the van to anything connected inside the van to mains power. This leakage to ground could even be inside the external socket. It is most likely damp somewhere as the weather change seems a good starting point.

 

[Speve]

Might be wise to check your van battery charger

 

[Nasher]

If you have a socket tester (about a fiver) it could be worth checking the home & van sockets

 

[pappajohn]

A mains switch RCD should be the last thing to trip with a fault.
First should be the individual trip switches.
Unless you only have MCBs for individual circuits in which case I would be thinking of changing to RCDs.

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[xsparks]

For safety try the lead plugged in but with the vehicle fuse board switched off. This should eliminate the lead and with both ends connected will be a safe procedure.

 

[Raul]

A mains switch RCD should be the last thing to trip with a fault.
First should be the individual trip switches.
Unless you only have MCBs for individual circuits in which case I would be thinking of changing to RCDs.

Not necessarily, they are different devices for separate type of protection. As you know rcd as the name implies, protects against a current leak, and it leaks to earth. If no earth present, it will not function. A mcb offers a over current protection. Totally different fault. A combination of two will protect for both types of fault. Either separate devices or a combi rcbo. The fact the one in the house tripped, is may not have one in the van, faulty, or, the one in the house has the most sensitive rating in the circuit.

 

[pappajohn]

Not necessarily, they are different devices for separate type of protection. As you know rcd as the name implies, protects against a current leak, and it leaks to earth. If no earth present, it will not function. A mcb offers a over current protection. Totally different fault. A combination of two will protect for both types of fault. Either separate devices or a combi rcbo. The fact the one in the house tripped, is may not have one in the van, faulty, or, the one in the house has the most sensitive rating in the circuit.

I know, 20 years in the business, but why have the whole house go down whereas individual RCDs or even a split board while be far better.
Personally I'd rather one circuit, or part board, tripped than the whole house.

 

[Abacist]

I had this. It turned out to be water in one end of the EHU lead. The internals of the plug were visibly water damaged and all the screws rusted and it was only fit for the bin!

 

[Raul]

Why? Because we don’t know the ops arrangements of its electrics. Maybe he has a old board before the split was required. Maybe he hasn’t got a split board or no rcd in the van. But he still got protection at source, of that single rcd. Best setup would be rcbo’s no split board. And rcbo’s in the van. That way it will only trip a leak on that specific circuit. And still retain the over current protection.

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[Figaro]

Just by way of an update......

I switched ehu on this morning with original lead and ...... yes, you guessed it, worked without tripping out.
I disconected and checked all connections which looked fine so reassembled with a squirt of WD40.

Didn`t try the spare lead but I will if it happens again.

Thanks to all for advice

 

[Nasher]

As posted above, get yourself one of these to check the sockets at home & in the van when on EHU - don't necessarily buy this one, others are available cheaper...

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.

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