Dead RCBO? or Brain fart

[westward10]

Duff device, what brand is it.

 

[Andy Walker]

It's a Hager, I always thought they were half decent, only been in the CU about 3 weeks.

 

[Marvo]

Hager are generally pretty good. Should be able to return it under warranty.

 

[westward10]

It should be replaceable under warranty and I think Hager would be interested in its return.

 

[Andy Walker]

Thanks guys, I'll give them a try. Feel slightly better knowing that my brain is still kind of working.

 

[littlespark]

I thought I had a "soft" Hager RCD on a recent job.
I had added downlights in a kitchen, under cabinet lights and kickboard lights and changed the switch to a 3 gang.
Every so often the switch for the cabinet lights tripped the RCD. Not every time, and it had all tested ok. I thought initially it was either the transformers I put in, the LED lamps or a knackered RCD
It gradually became every time I used the switch... on or off. IR now showed a short between neutral and earth. Worked my way from the board disconnecting neutrals and testing until I found the cable with the problem;- switch wire to outside light at the front door. Luckily easy to replace.
How come a neutral to earth fault only affects the RCD when I turn on a switch at the other end of the house?

 

[Marvo]

Maybe the switch was slow to operate and the arcing caused some earth leakage via the surge arrestors in the driver or transformer.