Radiators not working after power cut

jalexa

MultiCat wrote: »

I did mention this above. From what I can understand the fuses tripped because of a socket overload as that was the switch that was tripped when we opened the fuse box. To fix it we flipped the switch back up and the power came back, except for the radiators it seems.

Wasn't a trick question. What you are describing now is not (necessarily) a "short circuit in the fuse box". Are you now saying a single mcb tripped? What is the rating of the mcb which tripped? Or was it an rcd feeding several circuits which tripped?

MultiCat

jalexa wrote: »

Wasn't a trick question. What you are describing now is not (necessarily) a "short circuit in the fuse box". Are you now saying a single mcb tripped? What is the rating of the mcb which tripped? Or was it an rcd feeding several circuits which tripped?

I'm not very knowledgeable about these things. It was a single switch that tripped; no idea what rating it is.

jalexa

MultiCat wrote: »

I'm not very knowledgeable about these things. It was a single switch that tripped; no idea what rating it is.

OK. Just read and report the most prominent writing on it, including the largest numbers.

In situations like this you can't beat a photograph.

MultiCat

The tripped switch had 61/B32 written on it.

jalexa

MultiCat wrote: »

The tripped switch had 61/B32 written on it.

OK, that's a 32A Type B mcb, typical for ring mains (and not easy to "overload"). Are the non-functioning heaters panel heaters or storage heaters?

Have you tried hand rotating the timer dials?

MultiCat

jalexa wrote: »

OK, that's a 32A Type B mcb, typical for ring mains (and not easy to "overload"). Are the non-functioning heaters panel heaters or storage heaters?

Have you tried hand rotating the timer dials?

I think they're storage heaters. I've tried turning the dials but still no luck.

jalexa

MultiCat wrote: »

I think they're storage heaters. I've tried turning the dials but still no luck.

Getting hard to give safe advice. If you flick off the 32A mcb do you then lose your sockets? i.e "something" is live when the 32A mcb is on.

Earlier you asked about "a little fuse box next to the power for each radiator, is it worth opening and checking".

My answer to that is (and not a trick question) is (1) how do you know it is a fusebox, but if you can open it without using a tool it may be worth opening and describing what you see.

MultiCat

jalexa wrote: »

Getting hard to give safe advice. If you flick off the 32A mcb do you then lose your sockets? i.e "something" is live when the 32A mcb is on.

Earlier you asked about "a little fuse box next to the power for each radiator, is it worth opening and checking".

My answer to that is (and not a trick question) is (1) how do you know it is a fusebox, but if you can open it without using a tool it may be worth opening and describing what you see.

If I switch the tripped switch off then yes, I lose power to my sockets.

And the radiators have one of these next to them.

jalexa

MultiCat wrote: »

If I switch the tripped switch off then yes, I lose power to my sockets.

And the radiators have one of these next to them.

OK, you have proved the 32A mcb is OK and (most at least) of the ring main is OK.

To check the fuse, switch off the switch on the faceplate and gently prise out the tiny cover which says "fuse", ideally with an insulated screwdriver. The fuse will drop out. Replace with a known good 13A fuse.

MultiCat

jalexa wrote: »

OK, you have proved the 32A mcb is OK and (most at least) of the ring main is OK.

To check the fuse, switch off the switch on the faceplate and gently prise open the tiny cover which says "fuse", ideally with an insulated scredriver. The fuse will drop out. Replace with a known good 13A fuse.

Could that have happened to both radiators at the same time? Seems a little coincidental is all.

I'll try that tomorrow if I can get to somewhere that has fuses. Thanks.