GFCI sockets - test and reset functionality

[BFM]

Hi folks. Please excuse my complete ignorance and go easy on me

I recently got some electrical work done including an external double power socket installed behind the garage. I understand this to be a GFCI plug as it has "Test" and "Rest" functions on the plug.

I plugged in a small radio and turned it on. All fine. When I clicked on the "Test" button it cut power just fine however, it trips the entire garage. My question is, should it do this? When I click on the "Reset" button it doesn't do anything because the entire garage has tripped. I don't understand what purpose the reset button does if, every time I press the "Test" button it just trips the garage.

I just assumed it would cut power to the plug (and not the entire garage) and that pressing the reset button would restore the power. Am I missing something obvious here? Or has my wife been right all these years - I really am a tw*t?

 

[Wilko]

Hi - it probably shouldn't do that. Want to post up a pic of the unit and the other thing that trips?

 

[westward10]

I did have an rcd spur the other day, push the test button and it tripped the rcd back at the board. Rcd spur now in the bin.

 

[telectrix]

as above.it's an RCD socket. youmust have a RCD further upstream. when you apply a fault to the outside socket (test button), that fault is transmitted to the upstream RCD which may trip as they will both be the same mA rating. the solution is to replace the outside socket with a non-RCD one. simple job, but if unsure get a local spark to sort it for you.

 

[MJPD29]

Sounds like rcds in series with no discrimination

 

[Strima]

As above, several times, RCD upstream with no discrimination.

 

[Rpa07]

You could try not pressing the test button all the time - you now know that it works, if you run over the mower cable it’ll trip the socket or the house as well BUT you’ll still be alive to reset it yourself although your wife may call you a T**t for running over the cable.
As above said, you didn’t need the RCD socket as the circuit is protected - you just have to walk further now!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It’s unfortunate that you cannot remove the upstream RCD.
Having the test button at the point of utilisation is to my mind much better than having it at a remote location.

 

[telectrix]

but look on the bright side. if the outside RCD fails to trip on an earth fault, the upstream one will do. belt and braces.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Surely the test button on the RCD socket applies the test Load L - Supply N, like the test button on a standard RCD? This does not cause leakage as far as the upstream RCD is concerned, and should not trip it. Can anyone confirm/deny whether any of these sockets actually create leakage to earth during test? If this one is not supposed to, there might be an N-E fault.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Many test circuits operate by allowing a resistive load to pass between the load side of the Line conductor and the supply side of the neutral conductor.
This should not affect upstream devices.
However some test circuits operate by allowing the resistive load to pass to earth.
This would affect upstream devices.