RCD holding but won't hold any load on any circuit

[Phil G]

Hi guys I've just rewires the power in a cottage due to the plasterer putting a few screws through cables. I have fitted a new wylex rcd 8 way board and I have got a shower,ring,ring,radial and lights on it. The rcd will hold but if you plug in more than a boiler or a radio it trips straight away. I've tested the circuits and there is no damage to any of them. The lights hold on now too. I've not caught a cable in a box or screwed through one. It's not a split load board so crossed neutrals isn't going to be an issue.

I'm really stumped. Any help would be great

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

Had a similar problem a long time ago, check the configuration of the internal link wires in the CU; you may find they are not corrected as they should be,

Regards.

 

[Phil G]

I have checked that and it all seems fine. Neutral out of the bottom of the rcd up to the neutral block.

The earth readings are good too 0.16 on a tn-s system

 

[bigbaddave]

Lighting on seperate RCD'S ?

 

[iamelectric]

have you tested the rcd , half current c if it trips might be faulty

 

[bigbaddave]

Lets start with the basics.. IR test results??

 

[Phil G]

I've only got one lighting circuit and its on the same rcd. I have tested the rcd and it came up ok. I've even swapped for a spare and that didn't help either

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

Have you tested for borrowed neutrals?

 

[bigbaddave]

I've only got one lighting circuit and its on the same rcd. I have tested the rcd and it came up ok. I've even swapped for a spare and that didn't help either

And you IR results are ?

 

[jay sean]

Have you reconnected any cables?, if you connect a neutral and earth the wrong way round with a RCD it will trip the RCD out when you have pluged in a load.

 

[chopper76]

IR results between e & n required as previously stated

 

[chopper76]

Probably a chaffed neutral in the back of a socket box

 

[Outspoken]

Jesus, why ask the question and then ignore the request for information.

• Have you completed IR Tests properly on all circuits and can you posts the results, as BigbadDave has asked a couple of times.
• Have you disconnected all the neutrals from the bar and then reconnected one by one (only one in at a time) until the RCD trips?
• Have you done the same with the earths?
• Was anything plugged into any of the sockets when you turned it on...if so, unplug it FFS.

Come on, you're a qualified spark and yet your struggling to test an RCD...if you tested it and it is not faulty as you have stated then the fault in in the installation and if you are properly qualified then you should know how to test the installation to find a fault...FFS, don't they teach them anything on these 5WWW courses??

 

[Octopus]

Why have you fitted a board with only one RCD?

 

[Badged01]

If its not a split board, theres only one RCD which is wired correctly and there isnt any visible problems at accessories then Id be thinking there is a neutral/earth fault somewhere in the wiring, thats the way your going to be tripping the RCD!

Logical fault finding as stated, IR test the indivdual circuits and if that doesnt show anything then start connecting/disconnecting the individual circuits until something gives. Then start investigating the circuit .....

 

[AndrewMgan1976]

Electrical Trainee???

 

[Outspoken]

Electrical Trainee???

5 week wonder. These are people who do some intensive 5 week training course for exorbitant cost and then believe they are the electricians of old...most barely speak English properly and struggle to identify which end of the screwdriver goes against the screw!!

 

[Stroppy]

That's easy: the bit away from the neon.

 

[44ALLAN]

Are neons screwdrivers as well?

 

[Stroppy]

Yes, heat the tube up carefully at the end then you can flatten it into a screwdriver blade. Don't turn the screws too hard though, as your screwdriver might break...

Edit: oh, I see what you mean: apart from being your test-meter.

 

[Boaky]

You should of fitted a dual RCD board to at least give your customer some power under fault conditions.
maybe check the polarity on all your lights

 

[44ALLAN]

Yes, heat the tube up carefully at the end then you can flatten it into a screwdriver blade. Don't turn the screws too hard though, as your screwdriver might break...

Edit: oh, I see what you mean: apart from being your test-meter.

I was being facetious mate.......lol

Your not actually telling me there are sparks who use neons other than as a screwdriver are you?
For what reason pray tell

 

[Rockingit]

You should of fitted a dual RCD board to at least give your customer some power under fault conditions.
maybe check the polarity on all your lights

Jesus, talk about the blind leading the blind.

OP - refund any money to your poor unfortunate customer then pass them the Yellow Pages to call a proper electrician. What was a plasterer doing screwing into cables?? Sounds like it was whilst boarding after some larger work and you hadn't secured your cables in the right place to start with!

 

[Knobhead]

I think this could be called a litany of calamity.

God help this trade!

 

[Ronyg]

Have you checked supply polarity and/or there maybe a fault current on incoming neutral.

 

[Geordie Spark]

5 week wonder. These are people who do some intensive 5 week training course for exorbitant cost and then believe they are the electricians of old...most barely speak English properly and struggle to identify which end of the screwdriver goes against the screw!!

They'll be the Brummies then!! :jester:

 

[Octopus]

Where's the OP gone??????????????????????????????????????

 

[Geordie Spark]

Where's the OP gone??????????????????????????????????????

If I was an optimist, I may think he's gone to look for his MFT ..... but as I'm not ................

 

[KevinS]

Have you checked supply polarity and/or there maybe a fault current on incoming neutral.

Must admit, I've had this one. Was a supply fault, some of the houses on the estate were being knocked down and their supplies had not been disconnected correctly. A neutral fault was taking tout he RCD on about 10 houses, but I was only getting a call from 1.

 

[Rockingit]

Have you checked supply polarity and/or there maybe a fault current on incoming neutral.

Oh FFS.

Think I need to sign off else I'm going to get a ban from these complete moron to55ers plying their unskilled, untrained and inexperienced drivel to anyone they think they can impress.

 

[Andy78]

Where's the OP gone??????????????????????????????????????

Run off to go sit in the corner, suck his thumb, and rock manically back and forth ?

 

[Geordie Spark]

Oh FFS.

Think I need to sign off else I'm going to get a ban from these complete moron to55ers plying their unskilled, untrained and inexperienced drivel to anyone they think they can impress.

I do admire a bloke who speaks his mind!! :smilielol5:

 

[Ronyg]

What's your problem with this??