Power Tripped Twice Since Changing Socket

[adzyp]

Yesterday I replaced a single socket in the living room as the switch on the old one wouldn't work meaning the power was always on.

Now it was a pretty straight forward swap with the 3 wires going into the correct places so assumed it was fine.

Now that socket has been used since but twice now the power has tripped so i can only assume it is something to do with that socket as it hasn't tripped for a while.

For example today it has been switched on since probably 11am and about 10 minutes ago the power tripped so its not like it trips as soon as its switched on.

Has anyone got any ideas what it could be or what i could check within the socket?

thanks

 

[davelx]

Check that you haven't pinched N or L cores between the socket and the back box and split/cut the insulation, so that when you push a plug in it causes a momentary L-E or N-E fault.

 

[JohnW2]

Yesterday I replaced a single socket in the living room ... Now that socket has been used since but twice now the power has tripped so i can only assume it is something to do with that socket as it hasn't tripped for a while. ... Has anyone got any ideas what it could be or what i could check within the socket?

What is tripping - the MCB for the circuit or an RCD (the latter with a test button)?

Assuming that everything is connected to the right places, probably the most likely explanation is that you have managed to trap and damage one of the wires when screwing the socket back on.

Kind Regards, John

 

[adzyp]

Thanks guys, ill check it now then. You both seem to be saying the same thing so hope its just that.

When it trips its the whole house.

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks guys, ill check it now then. You both seem to be saying the same thing so hope its just that.

Yes, we're saying the same thing.

When it trips its the whole house.

I therefore presume you're talking about an RCD (with a test button)?

Kind Regards, John

 

[adzyp]

Thanks guys, ill check it now then. You both seem to be saying the same thing so hope its just that.

Yes, we're saying the same thing.

When it trips its the whole house.

I therefore presume you're talking about an RCD (with a test button)?

Kind Regards, John

Sorry, yes

 

[adzyp]

Ok, so its a few days on now and its still happening. When i posted this on monday i was off work, but since then i have been i work every day and when i get in at 5pm the power has tripped.

I have taken the socket off and checked the wires and cant see any problems and today i have put insulation tape on the wires and have redone the wiring so will see how we get on tomorrow but not holding much hope.

I have attached a picture just incase im missing something but i assume it was just a straight swap with the wires fron the old one? Does the fact its a double pole make any difference? I dont even know if the old one was or not.

I cant help but think that its happening at a similar time of day too, could that be possible? I would have no way of knowing until the weekend though and only if im in at the same time. Even if it was, i wouldnt know whats causing it.

Untitled

• adzyp
• 22 Jan 2015
• 1

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[sparkwright]

Did the earth wires have a green/yellow sleeve over them, or were they bare copper?

Any sharp edges where the cable enters the back box? A black rubber grommet may be in place, which prevents damage to the cable.

Wires going in correct terminals?

Send a picture of the new socket wired up.

 

[deadshort]

Hi, you may have a faulty socket, i had a similar problem and it was actually caused by a poorly made socket were the neutral connection was not making with the pin of the plug causing an inbalance between L +N causing the rcd to trip.

Regards,

DS

 

[flyingsparks]

..... plug causing an inbalance between L +N causing the rcd to trip.

DS

How would that cause the RCD to trip?

 

[deadshort]

The neutral connection was miss aligned and when the plug or flex of the appliance was touched or moved the rcd tripped.

Regards,

DS

 

[JohnW2]

..... plug causing an inbalance between L +N causing the rcd to trip. ...

How would that cause the RCD to trip?

We've been through this a number of times before (as well as the related issue of DP switches causing RCDs to trip). An L-N imbalance, even if only transient, will obviously cause an RCD to trip (that's what they are meant to do) but how on earth any sort of 'poor connection', or even staggered connection of L&N, can cause such an imbalance is a much less certain matter - the only just-about-credible suggestions I've heard rely on substantial amounts of capacitive or inductive coupling to conductors being at work. However, some people certainly believe it can happen, and RF will probably wheel out one of his videos if he sees this!

Kind Regards, John

 

[deadshort]

I have witnessed a fan heater being unplugged with the socket switched on and the rcd tripped.
4way extensions are also major culprits!

Regards,

DS

 

[JohnW2]

I have witnessed a fan heater being unplugged with the socket switched on and the rcd tripped. ... 4way extensions are also major culprits!

Yes, there seem to be plenty of anecdotes around - do you have any theories/ explanations as to the possible mechanism?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Taylortwocities]

That noise you can hear is Kirchoff spinning in his grave