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Shower / priority switch issue

  • 28-04-2020 9:53am
    #1
    naughtysmurf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭


    Two electric showers & priority switch installed 4/5 years ago, all good until last week, the GR RCBO B40A, tripped while shower 2 was being used, I reset it, all good for a week or so then shower 1 tripped it while being used

    As both showers have now tripped the RCBO, a week apart what / where would you suspect the most likely fault is?

    Do RCBO's fail from time to time commonly

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    meercat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,828 ✭✭✭meercat


    naughtysmurf wrote: »
    Two electric showers & priority switch installed 4/5 years ago, all good until last week, the GR RCBO B40A, tripped while shower 2 was being used, I reset it, all good for a week or so then shower 1 tripped it while being used

    As both showers have now tripped the RCBO, a week apart what / where would you suspect the most likely fault is?

    Do RCBO's fail from time to time commonly

    Thanks

    A rec would need to do the relevant tests. However rcbo’s have failed previously and have been replaced


  • #3
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,641 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    naughtysmurf wrote: »
    Two electric showers & priority switch installed 4/5 years ago, all good until last week, the GR RCBO B40A, tripped while shower 2 was being used, I reset it, all good for a week or so then shower 1 tripped it while being used

    As both showers have now tripped the RCBO, a week apart what / where would you suspect the most likely fault is?

    I would suspect that the issue could be a fault between neutral and earth. As the neutral and earth for both showers remains in circuit regardless of which shower is in use the fault could be with either shower.

    As above you really need to get a qualified electrician to resolve this. I would expect that this will be resolved this by carrying out a number insulation resistance tests.
    Do RCBO's fail from time to time commonly

    It is not unheard of but in my personal experience it is not that common.


  • #4
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    OP do you leave the shower isolators on or turn them off, when the showers are not in use?

    What size are the showers and the RCBO?


  • #5
    naughtysmurf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭naughtysmurf


    Bruthal wrote: »
    OP do you leave the shower isolators on or turn them off, when the showers are not in use?

    What size are the showers and the RCBO?

    The two Crabtree pull cord switches are permanently in the ON position

    9kw & 8.5kw

    GARO GR RCBO B40A

    Just to emphasise, it’s been working away for years with no issues, no other work has been taking place, nobody has been at the showers, switches or priority switch

    Thanks


  • #6
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    naughtysmurf wrote: »
    The two Crabtree pull cord switches are permanently in the ON position

    9kw & 8.5kw

    GARO GR RCBO B40A

    Just to emphasise, it’s been working away for years with no issues, no other work has been taking place, nobody has been at the showers, switches or priority switch

    Thanks

    If the tripping is regular, turn off the pullchord of the showers not in use for the moment. If tripping still occurs, you know it is not a problem past the pullchord that is off.

    Fair chance swapping the RCBO might fix it. But at least with isolating the non use shower for the moment, it eliminates part of the circuit and other shower.


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  • #7
    naughtysmurf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭naughtysmurf


    Bruthal wrote: »
    If the tripping is regular, turn off the pullchord of the showers not in use for the moment. If tripping still occurs, you know it is not a problem past the pullchord that is off.

    Fair chance swapping the RCBO might fix it. But at least with isolating the non use shower for the moment, it eliminates part of the circuit and other shower.

    Thanks, that's a good idea, will do

    The tripping time line if it's of any value is Wednesday 22nd shower 2
    Monday 27th Shower 1
    Tuesday 28th shower 1

    Before shower 1 tripped this morning, both myself and my Mrs used it between 6.30 & 9am with no issue, daughter then sometime later when it tripped

    Shower 2 gets used once a day usually, shower 1 would be used 3 times minimum

    Thanks again


  • #8
    naughtysmurf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,294 ✭✭✭naughtysmurf


    Just to update this, replaced the RCBO a week ago, all good since


  • #9
    Loozer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 168 ✭✭Loozer


    naughtysmurf wrote: »
    Just to update this, replaced the RCBO a week ago, all good since

    It's good that it's not tripping now

    Just to point you presumably haven't tested this new Rcbo so there's still some unknown


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