RCD Nuisance tripping

[johndavis]

I now have a similar problem ( not alarm ) but tripping out at night.

Just started 3 days ago, suddenly 7PM all power was lost, the RCB

had tripped.

Reconnected, first pulling plugs etc., then reconnected everything.

Eventually thought it was the fridge freezer, that has been checked,

no fault found.

Trip out has occurred during last two nights, easy to reconnect, works

all day, then trips out during night time, between midnight and 6 AM.



Help help

 

[JohnD]

If it goes off during the night, look at:

external lighting (might be getting rainwater in connections)

heaters

boiler

immersion heater

anything on a timer

Washing machine if used at night, or any other watery appliance

You can try switching off the MCBs for suspect circuits during the night (half one night, and half another) but if this does not help (MCBs only isolate one of the wires in a circuit) you may have a neutral-earth fault. Cable damage is often caused by putting a nail or screw into a wal and hitting a cable behind.

To truly isolate any appliance you have to unplug it, or use a DP switch for fixed loads like the boiler, immersion, cooker.

Look at the Similar Topics shown at the bottom of this page

 

[johndavis]

Thanks Johnd,

We have had a huge amount of rain recently, will check exterior

security lighting,

Interesting re timers ---- only heating at 5.30 AM, a possibility.

Why only through the night, we are finding that difficult to understand

Brilliant response and ideas for us