Power tripping

[grommett]

Apologies if this has been asked before. My house has two ground floor rings, today the RCD tripped and would not turn back on. I have identified which ring is causing the problem and turned its MCB off. The RCD now turns back on. I have now unplugged everything on that circuit (mostly kitchen) and turned all the sockets off and removed a fuse from the cooker hood spur. I am sure there is nothing left plugged in but still can’t turn the MCB without the RCD tripping. If I can’t work it out I’m going to have to run a long extension lead to the fridge and call an electrician . Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Murdochcat]

Sounds like you have done the logical stuff you can without test kit.

Are you sure there are no sockets in adjacent rooms or outside on this circuit?

 

[ericmark]

There are two methods, a stab in the dark at likely causes, and a methodical testing. So the stab in the dark is look for water ingress, an outside light on the ring final for example. But you have tried most of that, so

the meter is the next step, the clamp on

is no good as it will not reset, my bet is some where an earth to neutral fault, could even be a faulty RCD

but these testers are not cheap, £35 - £70 for cheap ones, the trade version looking at £250 and then you need to be able to use them. Seen this one HT5910

at £70 but most cost a lot more, so tester or call an electrician neither is cheap.

 

[grommett]

I’ve checked all the ground floor sockets from both rings. One lot of sockets is working ok now and everything else on the ground floor is unplugged, sockets switched off. There is an outside socket which had an extension lead, I have removed it and it’s now being used on the good ring to power the fridge freezer.