RCD tripping out on the sockets

riddles

Had a problem with the RCD TRIPPING out regarding the sockets. I traced it to the coffee machine which wasn’t in use when this happened. Does anyone know how it can suddenly cause an issue hen not in use? Thx

chuck eastwood

Doesn't need to be in use but if it's plugged in their might be a faulty switch. Does a normal kettle trip it when plugged into the same socket ??

RetroEncabulator

It's usually a water leak.

10-10-20

It's often due to water leaks or condensation within the device. The device may not have been in use but still powered and the water bridges the live and earth and causes an RCD trip.

Cerco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120321875#Comment_120321875

I had this problem on a coffee machine which was left unused for a couple of months. Shorted live to earth at the element.

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120324711#Comment_120324711

Would the element be in-circuit with the coffee machine off and trip the RCD ?

Would that have been actual faulty element or just a damp element ?

riddles

Will need to investigate that more haven’t got back to it since

riddles

Did you fix it with a new fuse

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120325303#Comment_120325303

That's it

First step in an RCD trip is to 100% confirm the exact cause

Don't always need electrical training for that ,just good detective work

Cerco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120324880#Comment_120324880

The element was damp. It was not in circuit when machine was switched off. It tripped the RCD when switched on.

I isolated it, allowed it to heat up for about a 30 secs. After reconnecting it everything was fine.

Irish Steve

This was a regular problem with a raclet cooker, a thing a bit like an electric barbeque and it didn't seem to matter which make it was, they all did the same sort of thing, if stored for a number of months, they'd trip the RCD the next time they were used, on asking the supplier if they had spare heating elements available, their suggested fix was to put the device on a workbench or a non flammable surface away from anything flammable, and make sure that no one could touch it, at all, and power it for 30 minutes with a modified extension lead with the earth disconnected, it had to be done that way to avoid having to open the device, which broke the seals and invalidated the 3 year warranty, and the plug was moulded on to the lead, and after it cooled down, test it again

In every case, the device worked with no problem, it was an issue with the ends of the element being open to the air, and able to absorb moisture into the insulation material of the element, which then provided a low enough resistance path from the element to the body of the element, which was clamped using metal clamps to the body of the device, so effectively earthed. Between us in the family, we had 4 different makes over a 10 year period, all of which had the same problem, and in every case, this treatment worked, and we've learnt to pre heat them the day before if they're going to be used for a meal, even more important if there's visitors coming.

It's done using a specially made 6" lead that's marked very clearly to make sure it's not used for anything else, with the device placed on the steel drainer in the kitchen, and a suitable warning is given to everyone in the house while it's being done.

kirk.

Dunno about the steel drainer part there - I'd probably mount on a worktop

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120332940#Comment_120332940

That rings a bell! The insulator within the element being hygroscopic was the issue, if I recall correctly.

Irish Steve

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120334963#Comment_120334963

Exactly, and the manufacturer said at the time that the same situation could in some circumstances apply to a new element, which was what got them to find a procedure that could be safely used to dry it out without risk to the user, or assembly operatives, they'd had problems with new units in the factory, so had to do a similar procedure as part of their pre packing checks, and that was the best they could come up with, and we still use it now when necessary, the special lead lives in the box with the device and all the other accessories that are used, so we know where it is.

Antenna

As kirk said it would be safer to keep it away from any metal surfaces that could be earthed whilst this is being done, in case someone forgets what is being done and simultaneously touches both the temporarly unearthed appliance (with leakage) and the metal surface.

Regarding a 'special lead' you could instead just get a 'double adaptor', open the L and N shutters on the top socket of it (by inserting something in the earth) then plug in the appliance plug 'upside down' (the earth will be unconnected), now plug the double adaptor into a normal extension lead, and then finally plug in the extension lead (in a controlled environment, keeping everyone away from both the appliance and the free earth pin, whilst this is being done, with warning signs incase anyone might be distracted and forget what is being done ).

kirk.

No sense adding another risk factor to an already risky operation