Van has started tripping at switch box (1 Viewer)

[coutts1983]

Hey guys. For some reason my van has started tripping the electrics when plugged into hook up. Never done it before, even trips when no demand on the electric. Any ideas. I’ve very little electronics knowledge.

 

[pappajohn]

Turn off all the breakers except the main one.
Does it still trip?
Problem with the mains incoming between post and fuse box.
If it doesn't trip turn each breaker on in turn.
When it trips that's the circuit causing the problem.
Then it's trying to figure out what's tripping that circuit
You're on your own with that.

 

[coutts1983]

I’ve not tried with all off actually. I’ve got one trip switch and two breakers. I’ve tried with one off then the other and still trips. Even tried a different cable.

 

[coutts1983]

If it is the main breaker coming in, what could be the problem? An earth maby.

 

[Lenny HB]

You need to isolate everything that is mains powered in the van. Although they are switched off a short or leakage between neutral & earth will trip an RCD. Things that have water in them are most suspect i.e. the water heater, kettle etc.

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[autorouter]

I’ve not tried with all off actually. I’ve got one trip switch and two breakers. I’ve tried with one off then the other and still trips. Even tried a different cable.

The 'trip switch' is an RCD, the two 'breakers' are MCBs. They do different things. An MCB protects against excessive amps, which could cause overheating and possibly a fire. An RCD protects against leakage to earth. If it detects even a very small leakage (typically 30 milliamps) it will cut the power. If you accidentally touch a live wire, a leakage current flows through you to earth, giving you a shock. The RCD will trip to prevent the shock.

The RCD will also trip if there is any other leakage to earth. The usual suspects are water getting into the cable plugs and inlet socket, or as pappajohn says, anything with water in it. For example an electric element in the water heater could rust and let water inside it.

Turn off both MCBs, and turn on the RCD. If it trips immediately, the problem is on the inlet side. Water in the cable plug, or (as happened to me) a leaking kitchen tap dripping water onto the main inlet point.

If it doesn't trip immediately, turn the MCBs on one at a time to see which circuit is tripping the RCD. That will point to where the problem is.

 

[coutts1983]

Thanks a lot guys il have a look today now I’m home and get back to you. Cheers.

 

[xsparks]

If the breakers are single pole switching them of will not stop a neutral earth fault.

 

[autorouter]

If the breakers are single pole switching them of will not stop a neutral earth fault.

If the breakers are single pole it's a good idea to change them for double pole breakers. All the motorhome manufacturers, even the British ones, fit double pole breakers.

Single pole breakers are OK for a house, where the live/neutral polarity is tested by an electrician, and once checked will never change. A motorhome plugs into a different post every stop. Even if the post socket is wired correctly, a German/Spanish domestic socket is reversible, so it's 50/50 which way the polarity gets connected. So a motorhome needs to be able to cope with live/neutral reversal, which single-pole breakers are not adequate for. That's why they always fit double-pole breakers.

 

[xsparks]

About time I new the difference between of & off. Sorry for the mistake.
Regarding changing the breakers you may find the consumer unit is incompatible.

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[xsparks]

I refer you to my first post, if you have single pole breakers you will need to disconnect each outgoing neutral in the consumer unit in turn to locate the problem.

 

[WillH]

The only time I had this happen the 240v element on my fridge had blown.

 

[Badknee]

Thanks a lot guys il have a look today now I’m home and get back to you. Cheers.

I hope it may have been a site problem and it’s ok now your home

 

[Cobnarowl]

Hope you got it sorted. Had similar.Everything fine at on site then trip going at next. Switched off all 240 volt appliances.Remembered the fridge.Put it to 12v was ok,gas ok but put to 240 v blew the trip.Local specialists confirmed it would be the fridge element ,said they could last upto 10 years if lucky on a Dometic fridge