Electrical advice sought

littlemissfavored

Myser wrote: »

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)?

So sorry should have responded to this earlier, the switch I have to reset says Split Load and RCCB, yes the test button is next to it.

Thanks DVardysShadow for your post,the fault arises the instant the microwave is switched on at the plug.

zax47

DVardysShadow wrote: »

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.

{EDITED - We have more info.....}

It's true that we would need to know if it was the MCB trippped or the RCD tripped to maybe narrow down the exact fault, but regardless (we aren't going to fix it are we...) the microwave and/or it's cable or plug connection is faulty and shouldn't be used until rectified.

It could be as simple as the neutral in the plug having come undone (which would trip an RCD), I have seen this myself on numerous call-outs. However, microwaves can be complex beasts and, as suggested, at their current cost it is rarely worth repairing them if a more serious fault exists.

Littlemissfavored - it is the RCD (RCCB) that is tripping. Check that the cable and connections in the microwave plug are ok - beyond that there is probably little else you can do, it almost certainly means the microwave is faulty. Fault finding/repair cost may well be more than replacement cost seeing as consumer goods are so comparatively cheap nowadays

littlemissfavored

zax47 wrote: »

Seeing as we don't yet know if the OP even has an RCD in the CU, it could well be that socket ring MCB could have tripped as the OP doesn't have fuses in the CU. Viz;

"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.."

If MCB tripped then that suggests a direct short somewhere, live->neutral, causing overcurrent which would not necessarily cause the RCD to trip. An RCD trip would suggest live->earth or neutral->earth or missing neutral (everyone forgets that one) fault.

It's true that we would need to know if it was the MCB trippped or the RCD tripped to maybe narrow down the exact fault, but regardless (we aren't going to fix it are we...) the microwave and/or it's cable or plug connection is faulty and shouldn't be used.

It could be as simple as the neutral in the plug having come undone (which would trip an RCD), I have seen this myself on numerous call-outs. However, microwaves can be complex beasts and, as suggsted, at the cost it is rarely worth repairing them if a more serious fault exists.

Littlemissfavored - did the switch that tripped have a small button marked "T" on it or not? This will tell us what it is.

The one that tripped has RCCB split load above it, all the others have MCB (they were ok).
Please see pic, I hope it clarifies.

https://picasaweb.google.com/113376380377947399403/Electrics#

zax47

I edited my post above ^^^

Myser

I agree with the above posts. If it's not a simple matter of a loose connection inside the plug and unless your microwave is an expensive super duper, swanky all-singing-all-dancing model, it is far easier and cheaper to buy a new one!

Plus, if the existing microwave is very old and hasn't been tested for safety, the door seal may be leaking microwave radiation out.

Probably best to buy a new one!

Myser

Just a thought - has the cord or plug been splashed with water recently?

Could water have found its way into the microwave?

That could cause the RCCB (RCD) to trip too.

DVardysShadow

zax47 wrote: »

...
It's true that we would need to know if it was the MCB trippped or the RCD tripped to maybe narrow down the exact fault, but regardless (we aren't going to fix it are we...) the microwave and/or it's cable or plug connection is faulty and shouldn't be used until rectified.

....

Littlemissfavored - it is the RCD (RCCB) that is tripping. Check that the cable and connections in the microwave plug are ok - beyond that there is probably little else you can do, it almost certainly means the microwave is faulty. Fault finding/repair cost may well be more than replacement cost seeing as consumer goods are so comparatively cheap nowadays

Well, now we know that it is the RCD, our chances of recovery have improved. Check the cable as suggested and also this:

Myser wrote: »

Just a thought - has the cord or plug been splashed with water recently?

Could water have found its way into the microwave?

That could cause the RCCB (RCD) to trip too.

It would be a shame to throw away a good microwave that just needed drying out.

littlemissfavored

Thank you everyone I really appreciate all the advice and feel better to know that its probably just the microwave and nothing else.

I am just back from Argos- with a shiny new microwave :j

Will plug it in after dinner and pray it goes ok.

Heres wishing you all a very happy New Year!