Another simple test after the one I mentioned before this post is we could disconnect and isolate all the neutral conductors at both ends and then energise the SCC with only its line and cpc connected at both ends and wait to see if the sunhouse mcb trips. The sunhouse db mains switch is off for this test. It would have to be left this way for a few days to see if we have removed the N path and thereby stopped the fault current operating the sunhouse mcb. Swap the sunhouse 40A mcb for a 3A B preferably or 6A B maximum for this test as we want a sensitive response.
After a few days reconnect Ns at both ends and still leave sunhouse mains switch off. Keep the 3 or 6 A mcb in place and leave for a few more days to see what happens.
A feature of this cable fault - (arcing between L-N?) - is there may indeed be current flowing between L-N intermittently and regularly but a 40A mcb requires a sizeable current to trip it so most of the time the fault is tolerated. The 3 or 6 A mcbs should respond quicker.
Hello sir, sorry for disappearing for a week I needed the break from trying to solve it. I have been back at it over the past few days and this is what I’ve discovered.
So I changed my PSU in the pc for a 1000w one, I did that because when my brother came round with his pc it worked with no issues for about 2 and a half hours. After the change in my pc it lasted about half an hour before it tripped (again the 40A MCB in the house).
So I sourced some 4mm tri rated SWA and ran it temporarily from my house to the garage DB to see if the cable was causing the issue. I was on my pc for about an hour just watching videos, then I jumped onto total war Warhammer 3 with my brother and before we even got into the game the trip occurred.
So basically the cable can’t be the issue anymore. Which is good and bad because it would have a nightmare to change anyway but now I’m stuck again. The issue definitely happens more when I am gaming at my pc. But the trip has happened when my pc wasn’t even plugged in. So I’m finding it hard to believe that my pc is causing the issue when it happens without it being involved. It just seems that when I’m gaming and using more power in the sun house it trips a lot more.
So from the top I have now changed
1. The house DBs MCB
2. The cable running from the house to the garage
3. My PSU
4. The MCB in the garage DB
5. I have checked the wiring twice in the sun house and I can find no issues when doing IR test and continuity from end to ends. The sockets have all had the connection made off again to check for loose connections.
6. I have tightened up all the Connections inside each DB and again can find no issues.
What I am now considering doing now is changing the garage DB for a brand new one to rule out the main switch in there being the issue. Then if that doesn’t work I’m honestly considering just rewiring the whole of the sun house just to say it’s been done properly. To be honest whoever done it hasn’t done a great job with cable routes and it looks very rushed (when you look at it all above in the rafters).
I am also considering whether the RCD on the house DB can cause any wierd issues like this.
I just can’t get my head around why the 40A MCB is tripping and not the 16A.
Again thanks for taking the time to read and I would be very grateful for any more of your time.
Cheers, Lewis