Smart Meter Tripping RCD

[TJ Anderson]

Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum
Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here:  American Electrical Advice Forum

Even if there is a neutral-earth fault downstream, there would still be no leak as long as there is no potential difference between earth and neutral.

If there was a neutral earth fault downstream e.g. shorted together then there would indeed be no PD but there would be earth leakage, it will parrallel the neutral return current through the cpc. If RCD protected then that would trip from the L-N inbalance

 

[TJ Anderson]

4 electrical checks - 3 by BG, last one by PH Jones.
What exactly regarding in depth checks are needed, so I can request these be made.
I feel responsible for tenant, as not fair they are living with RCD tripping constantly, and who knows how long Energy Ombudsman get to resolution, 8 weeks, after xmas!

To be fair, I think the BG spark has done what he can. He has taken Zs to prove effective connection to earth. He has taken IR at 250vdc. He likely selected 250vdc so he could test with loads connected to eliminate both wiring and loads for earth faults. Sensible. He has also ramp tested RCD.

I agree with others that it may well be interference from meter comms mobile being so close to RCD. IIRC the RCD in that board will be an MEM with a functional earth wire it may act like an antennae!

 

[Wilko]

Hi - From afar I guess we can never solve this, but there are couple more things for an Electrician to look at in my view. Did the BG Electrician actually personally observe the remote test and the tripping RCD? I would be seeking cooperation from the meter company with some more testing. Something like : Standing at the box with main switch, RCD and all circuits on, have the remote test done and observe the RCD trip. Reset RCD and turn all MCBs off and repeat the remote test and observe any trip. Safely remove the outgoing N from the RCD (still leaving all MCBs off) and repeat the remote test and observe any trip.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I remember a thread on here a few years ago where on a site walkie talkies were the cause of RCBO’s tripping. And I think it was the same thread where @GMES had the same or knew someone who had the same issue with over 300 RCD sockets and walkie talkies.

 

[Strima]

You need to find someone with an electromagnetic radiation tester to see what the meter output is.

 

[telectrix]

Also, RCD trips when E.org do On Demand test from their end

i think that on demand test is what's causing the problem.

 

[Octopus]

Also, RCD trips when E.org do On Demand test from their end

Are you 100% sure about this? Can you prove this?

 

[Octopus]

Probably not the kind of advice I should be posting on the publicly viewable forum but I'd either relocate the meter a greater distance from the CU or I'd wrap the CU in thick tin foil with a bonding wire attached to it and see if the nuisance tripping stops. Obviously isolate, and do a risk assessment first etc.

Smart meters can have fairly powerful WAN transmitters and even GSM transmitters which could cause issues with RCD's if in very close proximity.

1. The CU is in a daft place - and shouldn't really be in the meter cupboard
2. Would changing it to a AMD3 board help
3. Could the SM be disabled for a set period to see if the tripping stops?

Interesting thread..........

 

[freddo]

The communications parts of those meters are in the top grey section of the meter as a plug in module, so it is positioned as close as it possibly can be to the RCD.

Perhaps another reason not to have a smart meter fitted!

 

[Ines Spires]

Hi - From afar I guess we can never solve this, but there are couple more things for an Electrician to look at in my view. Did the BG Electrician actually personally observe the remote test and the tripping RCD? I would be seeking cooperation from the meter company with some more testing. Something like : Standing at the box with main switch, RCD and all circuits on, have the remote test done and observe the RCD trip. Reset RCD and turn all MCBs off and repeat the remote test and observe any trip. Safely remove the outgoing N from the RCD (still leaving all MCBs off) and repeat the remote test and observe any trip.

@Wilko
Yes, BG actually observe top-ups causing trip.
Re: Remote Testing - E.org electrician change SM-tripping worse, but he could not touch CU/domestic side. So as per Wilko above, E.org electrician himself suggested that if I got an Electrician out that day, the two could work together - he work on the SM, while my man work on CU/domestic side. PH Jones electr1.ician comes and E.org electrician not contactable! PH Jones confirm 4th time, domestic side all ok.

@Murdoch
Re: On Demand test - yes, every time E.org did test while I on call with them, RCD trips
1. Yes, CU is in daft place
2. AMD3 board help - no idea as I am ignorant
3. I suggested replace SM with Dumb meters but E.org rejected idea, unless I pay cost. But, will ask Monday if they can remotely switch off SM and make it Dumb Top Up

Pictures below CU open
Only RCD - red middle switch trip
Also, tenant tells me today, that when trip happens - Plug circuit all off, But Light circuit stay on (lights work).

 

[marconi]

Ines Spires: Some thoughts:

1. Box in the area beneath the consumer unit and place some security seals so that it is obvious if anyone has attempted access.

2. Demand from the energy supplier confirmation that the anti-tamper features of the Secure Liberty 100 are working correctly and that the meter is not suffering from spurious tamper alerts. Are they receiving tamper alerts? Ask them what happens if a single tamper alert is reported to them; does it simply log the alert or is the supply shut off briefly and then restored. If there is a series of tamper alerts what happens?

3. Real tamper alerts are covered by (1) above.

 

[suffolkspark]

Id get a roll of tinfoil and wrap the ccu/ fuseboard then see what happens