Tripping RCD and new Wooden Floor

Norroy

I have just taken over a flat (with no outside switches), and the RCD keeps tripping.

The kitchen sockets appear to be the problem circuit. I have read various excellent threads on here, and plan to test all the appliances by trial and error on a different circuit to try and locate the problem. The electric oven,boiler and Smeg fridge/freezer with a continental plug are all possible culprits.

My biggest concern is that the room in question has a brand new real wood floor, Is it possible that the workmen did something when laying the floor which is now causing the RCD to trip ?

It would be a very expensive nightmare to have to take it up. As the floor was paid for by the previous owner, I am not even sure if I would be able to hold the flooring company liable for putting it right.

cheap_plastic_spoon

when you say taken over are you renting/buying? most cables should be in the walls if in floor should be in a conduit

Norroy

I have bought it, so am now responsible for all electrics. I would presume there are many wires/cables running under the new floor and between the joists.

Could the workmen have moved or nailed one or more of these, which is now causing my RCD to trip ?

fitshase

I'm not an electrician but the statement of the Smeg fridge/freezer with continental plug jumps out at me.

Would this not be the most likely cause given that it has a continental plug and is designed for a lower voltage?

dander

I think it's very unlikely that it's related to the floor. They wouldn't really be going near any cables, and most wooden floors these days are laid as floating floors, so there would be very few nails and things going in that might cause a problem.

The most likely cause of something like this would be a faulty appliance. I would check them before you worry too much!

jennifernil

fitshase wrote: »

I'm not an electrician but the statement of the Smeg fridge/freezer with continental plug jumps out at me.

Would this not be the most likely cause given that it has a continental plug and is designed for a lower voltage?

I thought voltage in Europe was now standardised at 230V. So appliances should be OK anywhere.
If it is a continental plug, how is it plugged in? Probably easy to cut off the plug and put on a UK one.

My money is on the oven, purely because DD's old oven frequently used to trip the RCD when being switched off, and for no apparent reason.

Could it just be that you have a very sensitive RCD?

Norroy

The continental plug goes into an adaptor and then a wall socket. I wanted to change the plug, but then realised that the flex would not quite reach the socket.

Presumably a new flex could be bought from B&Q ?