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Faulty RCD...
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Nemo
Posts: 189 Forumite
I've got a Contactum RCD socket that was in the house when I bought it 11 years ago. It's got place for only 1 plug, although the unit is double sized, with the instructions where the other socket would be. It's used to feed an outdoor socket for the lawnmower etc., with the underground cable at the house-end having a plug on it which goes into the RCD.
It was working fine until a couple of weeks ago, but it doesn't want me to press the reset button any more. If I persist and get it to reset, the unit buzzes. I'm presuming that there's nothing inside repairable(?), and that it will need replacing. My electrical ability is limited to having swapped light switches to dimmers, and swapped light fittings. I take it that the RCD swap will as simple. ie. just taking the wires out of the old and putting into the equivalent connection on the new?
Finally, any thoughts on where's the best and cheapest to buy?
Thanks.
It was working fine until a couple of weeks ago, but it doesn't want me to press the reset button any more. If I persist and get it to reset, the unit buzzes. I'm presuming that there's nothing inside repairable(?), and that it will need replacing. My electrical ability is limited to having swapped light switches to dimmers, and swapped light fittings. I take it that the RCD swap will as simple. ie. just taking the wires out of the old and putting into the equivalent connection on the new?
Finally, any thoughts on where's the best and cheapest to buy?
Thanks.
Nice to save.
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Youe local electrical wholesalers would be the best place to buy. Screwfix are also very reasonable. Is the socket on the inside of the house? If so you should be allowed to change it yourself, but i know that the law has changed now saying that you shouldn't work on electrics unless qualified to do so. It should be a straight swap though.Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0
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There is certainly nothing repairable inside - don't even think about it!
It's possible there could be a bad connection to the back of the socket (most RCDs need a healthy mains supply to allow them to reset) - worth checking before buying a new one.
You can get a straight swap from DIY shops despite the new nanny regs, try your local suppliers, https://www.toolstation.com or as mercurystarr999 recommends screwfix.
My own recomendation would be to bite the bullet and replace your main fuse switch with a RCCD switch giving your whole house additional protection from fire and electrocution.0 -
Whole house protection is good, but won't provide the same level of safety to the outside appliance, because it will use a 30mA RCD, whereas the single-appliance one should be 10mA I believe.Time is an illusion - lunch time doubly so.0
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gromituk wrote:Whole house protection is good, but won't provide the same level of safety to the outside appliance, because it will use a 30mA RCD, whereas the single-appliance one should be 10mA I believe.
Also, one of the downsides to 'whole house protection' is that if an outside light develops a fault, for example whilst the occupants are on holiday, then the supply is lost to the freezer - with obvious results!0 -
Yes, you should fit a split load consumer unit to maintain the operation of the freezer, another advantage being that if something trips the RCD, the lights won't go off, which is considered more dangerous than protecting the lights with the RCD.Time is an illusion - lunch time doubly so.0
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ffym - what would be the approximate cost of having the main fuse switch replaced with an RCCD switch (3 bedroom house) ?0
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Thanks all.
Mercury, the socket is inside. There is a double socket at the other side of the lawn, set into some steps. A cable has been laid under the lawn, and emerges from the floorboards next the skirting board. The has a plug on it which I just put into the RCD as needed.
I had previously looked at Screwfix, along with a few others. Screwfix seemed to be the cheapest, but were about £19 + delivery, bringing the total to around £25. Don't know if this is reasonable. Think I'll try the local stores first.Nice to save.0 -
rafi wrote:ffym - what would be the approximate cost of having the main fuse switch replaced with an RCCD switch (3 bedroom house) ?
A whole new split load box inc of RCCD and MCB's is here at Toolstation for £55. RCCB's typically as replacements for Mains fusebox switches start around £25 (see also on the page linked above) and work up in price depending on what make board you have.
Of course you will need to add on what a "competent" person will charge you if you cannot do it yourself.
With regard to split load / non split load, I prefer non split for my own home. If I loose the lights because something has tripped the RCCB then that's not a problem - It's something I can cope with for the added protection. I can understand though in other properties or with elderly people etc loosing the lights could be a problem. The ideal solution would be to protect each circiut with it's own RCCB/MCB at about £35 each, it all comes down to risk V cost.
Obviously 10mA is more sensetive to faults than 30mA, I'm not sure RCCBs at this rating are still readily available. I'm not a doctor but I understood that the risk of Ventricular Fribulation decreases exponentialy with lower currents passed through the body and at 30mA it is accepted the risk is minimal. In other words 30mA or below is unlikely to electocute anyone so a more sensitive trip is unnecessary. I stand to be corrected though.0 -
As it is on the inside of the house changing it should be no problem for you. In the above posts they suggest upgrading the fuse board, is the rest of your sockets protected by another main RCD? Do you know what type of fuse board it is?Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0
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ffym wrote:If I loose (sic) the lights because something has tripped the RCCB then that's not a problem - It's something I can cope with for the added protection.
You are very, very unlikely to get a live-earth shock from a ceiling light. Even if you stick your fingers in the bulb holder, you will get a live-neutral shock, which won't trip the RCD.
Earthed wall lights might present you with slightly less of a challenge, but still nothing like portable appliances.Time is an illusion - lunch time doubly so.0
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