The breaker on the right trips after anything from 30 seconds to an hour. I have only two led lights on this circuit

Dnalopguy · May 4, 2020

The breaker on the right trips after anything from 30 seconds to an hour. I have only two led lights on this circuit. Can anyone please help?

Source URL: DIY Electrical Forum - https://www.electriciansforums.net/forums/diy-electrical-forum.64/

dogbob · May 8, 2020

I'm not certain, but it appears to be a ground fault breaker. If I'm right, it is a special safety breaker that trips when there is overcurrent or when there is leakage to ground. I've seen situations where ground fault breakers will trip after someone cleans the area with a spray cleaner and gets some in an outlet, leading to leakage.

You're going to have to isolate the fault by finding every outlet on the breaker, disconnecting them one at a time, resetting the breaker, and seeing which one solves the problem. Then replace that outlet. If not solve the problem, it is defective wire. That is very rare.

littlespark · May 8, 2020

Yes, in UK terms it’s an RCD. Tests for current leakage to earth on either the live or the neutral conductors.
The circuits being protected appear to be outside equipment, so it could well be moisture ingress or rodent damage.

Test the RCD using the button. If it doesn’t trip off, the RCD needs replacing.
Other tests can be performed but they include disconnecting the outgoing circuits, or using a specialist piece of equipment. Both would be safer being done by an electrician.

SJD · May 8, 2020

Dnalopguy said:
The breaker on the right trips after anything from 30 seconds to an hour. I have only two led lights on this circuit. Can anyone please help?

To clarify, do you mean the B20 circuit breaker marked "Patio", or do you in fact mean the RCD to the right of that (rather than a "breaker")?

The RCD is protecting both circuits, and will trip on an imbalance of L/N, e.g. leakage to earth. If one of the breakers is tripping, that will be due to overcurrent.

if the RCD is tripping, then turn off one of the circuit breakers, reset the RCD and check again to see if the RCD still trips. Repeat with the other circuit breaker. That may tell you which circuit is at fault (Gates or Patio).