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Electrical advice sought

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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!
«1

Comments

  • ianm41
    ianm41 Posts: 33 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    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.
  • 27col
    27col Posts: 6,554 Forumite
    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.
  • Yorkie1
    Yorkie1 Posts: 12,004 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Have you actually tried changing the fuse in the microwave plug too?
  • Myser
    Myser Posts: 1,907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Have you actually tried changing the fuse in the microwave plug too?
    A blown fuse in the plug probably won't cause the circuit-breaker/RCD to trip continuously.

    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! ;)
  • 27col wrote: »
    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.
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    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.
    Dead microwave then.
    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 ForumTeam
  • does a dodgy fuse always look burnt????? i didnt know this???
  • Myser
    Myser Posts: 1,907 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 28 December 2011 at 4:25PM
    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! ;)
  • Myser wrote: »
    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?
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    Myser wrote: »
    ... jillyjacks - You can't always tell if a fuse in a plug is blown just by looking at it!
    Actually, it is very rare that you can tell a blown plug fuse - or any ceramic cartridge fuse - is blown just by looking at it. They are designed to contain all evidence of burning inside the ceramic tube
    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?
    So far we have established that the fault is there when the microwave is plugged in to different sockets, but not there when different things are plugged into those same sockets. So the fault is in the microwave. What is not clear is whether the fault arises when the microwave is simply switched on at the plug or when you attempt to use it. If the fault arises the instant the microwave is switched on at the plug, it might be worth inspecting the flex for burns, twists, kinks and abrasions and possibly replacing the plug.

    For technical accuracy, the fault could be between any 2 of Live Neutral and Earth, depending on the answer to Myser's question below.
    Myser wrote: »
    ... 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)?
    Answer to the above question required to progess.

    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
    Confirmation would be helpful.
    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 ForumTeam
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