Yes. Disconnect inside and see. It needs to be really dry. Drill a 6mm drain hole in the bottom of the external socket box.
RCD tripping
- Thread starter ray316
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The drain hole is the important bit, it is very hard to stop water coming in, so make sure it can get out.
If, as you say, there was a fair bit of water in the box, then it's quite possible that some has got into the 'innards' of the socket - it which case it might take a good while, perhaps at least a good few days, for it to dry out.
Kind Regards, John
Yes, I have seen issues where a fault etches a track across a switch/socket. This track basically provides a consistent problem causing an RCD to trip, even if things appear to be dried out.
Disconnect inside - live and neutral- and if that fixes the fault you may find that replacing the socket is necessary.
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Yes, that happens - but, as I said, the innards of sockets and switches can sometimes just get penetrated by water (without any permanent damage being done) - in which case it usually eventually dries out and removes the problem.
Agreed.
Kind Regards, John
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When my roof leaked, one socket got water in it, and the RCBO tripped as one would expect.
But on inspecting the socket it was bloated, some thing had clearly gone wrong inside, I simply renewed, did not look inside, however rather surprised that socket was damaged, clearly so current line to neutral flowed as well as to earth.
So with wet sockets drying out not always good enough.
But on inspecting the socket it was bloated, some thing had clearly gone wrong inside, I simply renewed, did not look inside, however rather surprised that socket was damaged, clearly so current line to neutral flowed as well as to earth.
So with wet sockets drying out not always good enough.
Thanks for replying, regardless of if this is the case and l’m hoping it is l think l will put a isolating switch in between the double socket inside the house and the weatherproof double socket outside . All l’ve done is spur of the socket through the wall to outside so where is best to fix the isolator switch , what isolator switch will l need to fit ..
A double pole switch. a 20amp one would do the job.
Inside, likely adjacent to the above socket you have spurred from.
That is always wise. Make sure that it is a double-pole 'isolating switch'
Kind Regards, John
l thought th e problem had been solved when water was drained out of the outdoor socket and sealant was applied and fitted . However its not solved the RCD tripping which is not as frequent now but seems to be about every 2 days but it happens during overnight while in bed and nothing is on apart from the fridge and freezer. During the day while using the washing machine, dryer, tv, kettle etc it has not tripped. Any ideas what it could be ..
I’d still suspect the socket. Disconnect it, preferably at the source, and see if that cures the problem b
Disconnected the outside socket last week and the RCD keeps tripping now and again .
Sometimes doesn’t trip for a day or two , then it can trip through the night .
Could it be a fault with the RCD , here is a photo of the switch.
Can someone tell me where l could get a replacement switch which is like for like as it is a consumer unit that has been in for a few years now.View attachment 300711
It could be; nothing lasts for ever but it might not be.
The only way to know is to have it tested.
If it is found not to be faulty, then you still have a fault.
They don’t make them like that any more.
Any replacement would be a different design and, with respect, would need an electrician to supply and fit.
But the RCD, although old, may be working within spec.
So many people who are faced with an RCD tripping think it is the RCD at fault. More often than not it is an external fault.
It lots like the whole installation is protected by that one RCD, and that’s a recipe for trouble.
It’s at this point that you need an electrician to
Test the RCD and replace if necessary
And
Carry out proper tests to see if there is a fault.
Otherwise it’s guess work and random swopping out of different bits. That is time and money consuming.
PS. Looking at the age of the RCD (the phone number is pre-STD so could be 50 years old. This could lead to further updating if your consumer unit/fuse board if it is of a similar age.
Any replacement would be a different design and, with respect, would need an electrician to supply and fit.
But the RCD, although old, may be working within spec.
So many people who are faced with an RCD tripping think it is the RCD at fault. More often than not it is an external fault.
It lots like the whole installation is protected by that one RCD, and that’s a recipe for trouble.
It’s at this point that you need an electrician to
Test the RCD and replace if necessary
And
Carry out proper tests to see if there is a fault.
Otherwise it’s guess work and random swopping out of different bits. That is time and money consuming.
PS. Looking at the age of the RCD (the phone number is pre-STD so could be 50 years old. This could lead to further updating if your consumer unit/fuse board if it is of a similar age.
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