General > General Technical Chat
Issues with circuit breaker/RCD randomly tripping
Halcyon:
I'm at a loss.
For two night in a row, one of the circuits that feed the power outlets to half my house randomly trips. It also feeds the gas hot water system, range hood, cooktop and outdoor IP-rated power outlets (those are under cover and have nothing connected). The breaker has an RCD built-in.
On Monday night, the breaker tripped and I was unable to reset it. I went around and disconnected everything I could from that circuit but it would trip off straight away. Tuesday morning, I could reset it just fine and it remained on most of the day (with everything re-connected and operating just fine). Electrician came around yesterday and did earth leakage tests while I went around and connected everything back. Nothing. Everything showed normal.
Last night came around and it trips again, same deal, unable to reset it. This time I crawl up into the roof, disconnect the range hood and also the hot water system and cooktop. Still unable to reset it. This is with absolutely nothing connected to it. On both occasions, I wasn't doing anything in particular. Just on the computer.
I thought maybe water or humidity is getting in somewhere, but it hasn't been raining and it's quite dry at the moment. Besides, in the mornings it's quite dewy and moist, but the breaker is able to be reset.
It's not a case of overloading either. Fully loaded, that circuit would probably be a few hundred watts at most (without the coffee machine or toaster operating).
What are the chances of a faulty RCD? The electrician said it's extremely rare for it to be the cause. I am honestly scratching my head as to what it could be. I should also point out that it's a relatively new house, well under 10 years old.
twospoons:
'Rare' is not the same as 'never'. I'd replace the breaker and see what happens, since you think you've exhausted all the other possibilities.
Have you opened up the outdoor outlets to make sure nothing has crawled inside?
Halcyon:
--- Quote from: twospoons on August 10, 2021, 11:02:16 pm ---'Rare' is not the same as 'never'. I'd replace the breaker and see what happens, since you think you've exhausted all the other possibilities.
Have you opened up the outdoor outlets to make sure nothing has crawled inside?
--- End quote ---
The electrician is coming back today to replace the breaker. Even he admits in the absence of possums/mice/rats it's quite strange.
I haven't opened the outdoor outlets, they look to be well sealed with silicone. I'll ask him to have a look at that today as well.
themadhippy:
--- Quote ---they look to be well sealed with silicone
--- End quote ---
Do they have a drain hole?
Halcyon:
--- Quote from: themadhippy on August 10, 2021, 11:26:07 pm ---
--- Quote ---they look to be well sealed with silicone
--- End quote ---
Do they have a drain hole?
--- End quote ---
No idea, I'll check later today.
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