Help: RCD won’t switch back on

[boxst]

The downstairs / upstairs ring just tripped and it won’t switch back on again. The weird thing is that all the individual fuses stay “on” (and even if I switch them off) the main one won’t stay on.

It doesn’t have any “feel” to it so I wonder if it is broken ? Any help appreciated as the freezers are happily defrosting.

Edit: even if I switch off the whole power (red switch) the switch doesn’t stay up.

[Chrisgr31]

So you have turned everything off, and RCD won’t reset with everything off?

[boxst]

Yes. I’ve switched the whole box off and the switch still doesn’t reset.

[calum199-1]

Unplug everything on ringmain which is tripping.

Then by plugging in each appliance should be able to see what is causing the fault presuming it is on the ring.

[Royce44]

Switch all circuits off except the main red switch then turn the RCD on.

[wilwak]

Turn off every one of the MCB switches and then try to turn the RCD back on.

If the RCD does turn back on ok then turn the MCB switches on on at a time.

If one causes the RCD to trip then you’ll know which circuit has the problem on it.

RCD units can fail and need replacing. They are often said to have a 10 year working life.

[boxst]

Thank you for the replies. I did all of those things before posting — which is why I’m a bit flummoxed.

I guess it’s fhe RCD and that particular switch which controls all the switches to the right. The lights etc (everything on the left hand side) is fine.

[essayer]

Long extension lead for the freezers then!

[boxst]

Out of frustration, was playing with the switch quite rigorously and it switched back up. So I guess it is broken or on its way out. I have the British Gas (Homeserve) people coming tomorrow morning so we will see.

[Dave_ST220]

Not necessarily. MCB's are only single pole so you could have a (intermittent) neutral/earth fault that the RCD is detecting. It needs proper investigation rather than swap out the RCD & hope for the best.

[mickmcpaddy]

I think the RCD should stay up with the main switch in the off position, dont think the Crabtree ones (or any for that matter) need power to stay on. Must be knackered, although a fault on one of the circuits could have broke it, might just need a bit of a tap to free any seized parts inside if its not been operated for years. Bet the OP gets talked into a new consumer unit though.

[boxst]

mickmcpaddy said:

I think the RCD should stay up with the main switch in the off position, dont think the Crabtree ones (or any for that matter) need power to stay on. Must be knackered, although a fault on one of the circuits could have broke it, might just need a bit of a tap to free any seized parts inside if its not been operated for years. Bet the OP gets talked into a new consumer unit though.

I haven't tripped it again, but may do to check to see if it is broken. Not too sure about 'talked into' as all parts & labour are covered by the BG agreement.

[Dave_ST220]

You've got some weird MCB rating on there! eg, cooker hood on it's own circuit rated at 16A, boiler on a 16A breaker etc. Does the RDC have a test button? My comment about MCB's being single pole isn't valid as I'd missed the fact you has switched the main RED switch off. Seems weird the RCCB is "split load" but only has one switch, the whole point of "split load" is the whole lot doesn't go off in the event of a fault, normally by way of two separate RCD's! (one reason all RCBO's is the best setup)

[mickmcpaddy]

boxst said:

mickmcpaddy said:

I think the RCD should stay up with the main switch in the off position, dont think the Crabtree ones (or any for that matter) need power to stay on. Must be knackered, although a fault on one of the circuits could have broke it, might just need a bit of a tap to free any seized parts inside if its not been operated for years. Bet the OP gets talked into a new consumer unit though.

I haven't tripped it again, but may do to check to see if it is broken. Not too sure about 'talked into' as all parts & labour are covered by the BG agreement.

Does that stretch to a new consumer unit though if they cant get the parts? thought it was similar to boiler cover where they say the parts for an old boiler are obsolete so you need a new one at your expense.

Dave_ST220 said:

You've got some weird MCB rating on there! eg, cooker hood on it's own circuit rated at 16A, boiler on a 16A breaker etc. Does the RDC have a test button? My comment about MCB's being single pole isn't valid as I'd missed the fact you has switched the main RED switch off. Seems weird the RCCB is "split load" but only has one switch, the whole point of "split load" is the whole lot doesn't go off in the event of a fault, normally by way of two separate RCD's! (one reason all RCBO's is the best setup)

That's a standard 16th edition board fitted sometime prior to 2008 when it changed to RCDing virtually every circuit. Dont see the problem with dedicated circuits, the boiler one is probably the old immersion feed. In fact its a nicely done board with plenty of circuits to minimise inconvenience if there is a fault, and its also nice to see the MCBs in amp order.

[Alucidnation]

Not get spares for a Crabtree Starbreaker CU??



Those things are more common than dog st.

[mickmcpaddy]

Alucidnation said:

Not get spares for a Crabtree Starbreaker CU??



Those things are more common than dog st.

The design of the newer ones has changed though and I doubt BG will trawl ebay looking for the correct one. If its not readily available at their stockist they will give up.

PS why is every post I see of yours taking the piss in some way or another, you remind me of a spark on the screwfix forum called Sinewave, always new best, always supposedly had the best van/tools/clothes, got the best work and best paid etc. etc. etc. probably all bks.

[miniman]

Did you turn it off before trying to turn back on again?

RCDs have 3 positions

ON
TRIPPED
OFF

When it trips, and ends up in the “middle” position, you have to push it down to OFF, then back up to ON. Just pushing it back up to ON won’t work.

[mickmcpaddy]

miniman said:

Did you turn it off before trying to turn back on again?

RCDs have 3 positions

ON
TRIPPED
OFF

When it trips, and ends up in the “middle” position, you have to push it down to OFF, then back up to ON. Just pushing it back up to ON won’t work.

Not all of them, I think the Crabtree ones just go straight to off, the MEM ones sit in the middle and the MK used to or still do maybe.

[eliot]

Wylex are on or off too.

[Alucidnation]

mickmcpaddy said:

Alucidnation said:

Not get spares for a Crabtree Starbreaker CU??



Those things are more common than dog st.

The design of the newer ones has changed though and I doubt BG will trawl ebay looking for the correct one. If its not readily available at their stockist they will give up.

PS why is every post I see of yours taking the piss in some way or another, you remind me of a spark on the screwfix forum called Sinewave, always new best, always supposedly had the best van/tools/clothes, got the best work and best paid etc. etc. etc. probably all bks.

Only the look has changed and they still fit previous gen consumer units, so no need for eBay.

Also, not all of my posts take the piss, just most of them.

And yes, i do get a lot of good work and get paid very well, but then, I carefully vet my clients

Edited by Alucidnation on Tuesday 24th October 22:02