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Electrical advice sought
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littlemissfavored
Posts: 152 Forumite

Hello everyone,
Hope you have all having a great Christmas break.
Yesterday, I realised all my sockets were not working, so I went to the electrical box and realised one of the switches had tripped off. When I tried to put it back on, it wouldnt go.
Eventually, by switching everything off and gradually turning them back on one by one I realised it was the microwave causing this.
I looked at the fuse in the plug, it looks fine-its not burnt.
I am wondering if this means the microwave is broken, its about 3 years old now. Or is there something else I should check?
Thanks for your anticpated speedy responses. I have really found it hard to cope without the Microwave (I cannot imagine how we got by without them!!)
Also I have seen a nice one in the Argos sale, if need be
Happy new Year!
Hope you have all having a great Christmas break.
Yesterday, I realised all my sockets were not working, so I went to the electrical box and realised one of the switches had tripped off. When I tried to put it back on, it wouldnt go.
Eventually, by switching everything off and gradually turning them back on one by one I realised it was the microwave causing this.
I looked at the fuse in the plug, it looks fine-its not burnt.
I am wondering if this means the microwave is broken, its about 3 years old now. Or is there something else I should check?
Thanks for your anticpated speedy responses. I have really found it hard to cope without the Microwave (I cannot imagine how we got by without them!!)
Also I have seen a nice one in the Argos sale, if need be

Happy new Year!
0
Comments
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Hi.... just a couple of thoughts... have you tried to plug anything else into the socket the Microwave was plugged into and have you tried the Microwave in a different socket? If you have, and the original socket is fine... and the Microwave trips the breaker when in a different socket....then its the Microwave causing it. Unless its a really expensive flash one...its probably not worth getting it repaired as with most small/medium sized gadgets nowadays. A trip to Argos might be in order.0
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Have one more try by plugging the microwave into a different socket. If it still trips the breaker then get yourself down to Argos asap.I can afford anything that I want.
Just so long as I don't want much.0 -
Have you actually tried changing the fuse in the microwave plug too?0
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Have you actually tried changing the fuse in the microwave plug too?
littlemissfavored - Which switch is it that you have to reset? The circuit-breaker (probably has 32A written on it) or the RCD (has a test button next to it)?If my post hasn't helped you, then don't click the 'Thanks' button!0 -
Have one more try by plugging the microwave into a different socket. If it still trips the breaker then get yourself down to Argos asap.
Thanks for all your replies, Yes, I have tried it in another socket and it tripped the breaker.The socket it was plugged into intially is also fine because my chest fridge works ok from there.
I haven't changed the fuse as it wasnt burnt, so I assumed the fault wasn't the from fuse.0 -
littlemissfavored wrote: »Thanks for all your replies, Yes, I have tried it in another socket and it tripped the breaker.The socket it was plugged into intially is also fine because my chest fridge works ok from there.
I haven't changed the fuse as it wasnt burnt, so I assumed the fault wasn't the from fuse.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 -
does a dodgy fuse always look burnt????? i didnt know this???0
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I have tried it in another socket and it tripped the breaker.
If it's tripping the breaker, there is a dead short or low resistance across the live-neutral somewhere.
A dodgy fuse is unlikely to cause this unless the fuse wire was broken but intermittently touching. If this were the case, the breaker should not trip with the microwave set to the off position as little or no current is being drawn.
jillyjacks - You can't always tell if a fuse in a plug is blown just by looking at it!If my post hasn't helped you, then don't click the 'Thanks' button!0 -
If it's tripping the breaker, there is a dead short or low resistance across the live-neutral somewhere.
A dodgy fuse is unlikely to cause this unless the fuse wire was broken but intermittently touching. If this were the case, the breaker should not trip with the microwave set to the off position as little or no current is being drawn.
jillyjacks - You can't always tell if a fuse in a plug is blown just by looking at it!
Thanks! But please could you simplify this for me "there is a dead short or low resistance across the live-neutral somewhere"
I also welcome your advice too, should I just go out and get a new microwave? or is there a possible fault with my electrics I need to get looked at?0 -
... jillyjacks - You can't always tell if a fuse in a plug is blown just by looking at it!littlemissfavored wrote: »Thanks! But please could you simplify this for me "there is a dead short or low resistance across the live-neutral somewhere"
I also welcome your advice too, should I just go out and get a new microwave? or is there a possible fault with my electrics I need to get looked at?
For technical accuracy, the fault could be between any 2 of Live Neutral and Earth, depending on the answer to Myser's question below.... littlemissfavored - Which switch is it that you have to reset? The circuit-breaker (probably has 32A written on it) or the RCD (has a test button next to it)?
Thinking on this a little more, as the fault has been reproduced several times, I expect that- the fuse is OK and has not been replaced
- therefore it will be the RCD which has tripped
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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