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Trip switch on consumer unit
Comments
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[quote=[Deleted User];49764133]Is it possible to change the RCD to 100mA to make it less sensitive?[/QUOTE]
No! Your protection against electric shock in the event of a fault would be massively reduced...
ETA: Already covered!"Part P" is not, and has never been, an accredited electrical qualification. It is a Building Regulation. No one can be "Part P qualified."
Forum posts are not legal advice; are for educational and discussion purposes only, and are not a substitute for proper consultation with a competent, qualified advisor.0 -
fwor; I have picked up on your wording here, and wonder if this is where the confusion lies?
The "main cut-out" would not normally be an RCD for the average installation - as stated by others above, apart from a TT system (generally rural), the main cut-out is a 100A (typically) dedicated main switch - this is what can remove power to the whole installation, and not an RCD (they would protect particlar circuits with increased risk of shock).
Thanks - but bear in mind that we knew nothing about the age of the installation when I wrote that.
IIRC it was common when RCDs first became a requirement to have one MCB and RCD covering the whole building, rated at 100mA, primarily for fire protection. But I'm probably remembering that wrong and they were 30mA.
Anyway, the OP seems to have disappeared for now for a well-deserved NYE celebration. When they get back to this thread, it's likely that we'll all be in agreement that the best bet would be to get the electrician who did the install back in to check things out and determine if it's a problem with the RCD or the TV/PC power supplies.0 -
With all due respect, we had no information about the age of the installation at the time that I posted my "incorrect" suggestion.
Those that actually understood the OP's description of the installation, had understood that it has an RCD protecting one or more circuits (primarily the ring main) as is STANDARD for whatever age the CU installation was, which would have actually utilised an RCD.0 -
[quote=[Deleted User];49762017]I just checked the consumer unit and next to the switch that turns off it says RCD 63 2 30T. Not sure if this means anything. You're right about the house breaker - that stays on, it's only the ring main that turns off, and all I have to do is switch the circuit breaker back on. You could be right about drawing too much current - if this is the case, what can I do about it.[/QUOTE]
Sounds very like you have an over sensitive RCD, you need an approved sparky with test equipment to test the tripping current of the said RCD, if it doesnt meet the correct specs then it will need replacing. If the RCD is ok then the TV and Laptop power supplies should be PAT tested to check they are both functioning ok and within tollerances.
100mA on whole house installations ? may be for TT supplies but any other should be 30mA and have been since I was an apprentice some 20+ years ago ( 15th ed )Markings suggest that it's a 30mA RCD, fitted (for some unknown reason - maybe an electric shower elsewhere on it?) just on that spur. 30mA is quite sensitive - IIRC, whole-house RCDs are rated at 100mA, so much less likely to trip.
.IIRC it was common when RCDs first became a requirement to have one MCB and RCD covering the whole building, rated at 100mA, primarily for fire protection. But I'm probably remembering that wrong and they were 30mA.
Correct you were wrong !You may click thanks if you found my advice useful0 -
Those that actually understood the OP's description of the installation, had understood that it has an RCD protecting one or more circuits (primarily the ring main) as is STANDARD for whatever age the CU installation was, which would have actually utilised an RCD.
Are you saying that you don't agree that the best bet would be to get the electrician who did the install back in to check things out and determine if it's a problem with the RCD or the TV/PC power supplies?
Or are you just making points that aren't helping the OP in any way, given the additional information they provided after my comments were made?0 -
I see sparks starting to fly in this thread!
Lets hope lindabea can find a competant, fully qualified electrician with experience to test the circuit and RCD!
A Part P qualification is fairly easy to obtain and many plumbers, builders etc. have one. It isn't a substitute for years of experience and proper electrical qualifications.If my post hasn't helped you, then don't click the 'Thanks' button!
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A Part P qualification is fairly easy to obtain and many plumbers, builders etc. have one. It isn't a substitute for years of experience and proper electrical qualifications.
Quite ! Part P qualification is'nt worth the bog paper it's written onYou may click thanks if you found my advice useful0 -
Quite ! Part P qualification is'nt worth the bog paper it's written on
Indeed - they don't make electricians that way! After a 3 year apprentiship, with on the job practical training, to get a handful of C&G certs (which we have to keep getting updated, thank you 17th edition, next stop 18th in 5/10 years time...) and nearly 30 years experience. I might just about call myself an electrician now.
"Part P" isn't a qualification - it's an appendix to the Building Regulations and a right royal pain in the !!!! to most time-served sparkys who overnight were told they suddenly weren't "qualified" to do the job they've done for years! Add to that the £500+ annual expense of being registered with a Part P scheme and the annual inspection/assessment and it starts to get silly. Sure, come up with a way to stop dodgy and dangerous DIY sparkys - but Part P ain't it.
A qualified electrician can become Part P compliant but a "Part P" compliant fool can't suddenly become an electrician!0 -
:T:T well said that man :T:TIndeed - they don't make electricians that way! After a 3 year apprentiship, with on the job practical training, to get a handful of C&G certs (which we have to keep getting updated, thank you 17th edition, next stop 18th in 5/10 years time...) and nearly 30 years experience. I might just about call myself an electrician now.
"Part P" isn't a qualification - it's an appendix to the Building Regulations and a right royal pain in the !!!! to most time-served sparkys who overnight were told they suddenly weren't "qualified" to do the job they've done for years! Add to that the £500+ annual expense of being registered with a Part P scheme and the annual inspection/assessment and it starts to get silly. Sure, come up with a way to stop dodgy and dangerous DIY sparkys - but Part P ain't it.
A qualified electrician can become Part P compliant but a "Part P" compliant fool can't suddenly become an electrician!You may click thanks if you found my advice useful0
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