Generation meter failure

baldrick69

Thanks Ectophile. Since the RCD trips and not the MCB it would indicate a current leaking to earth. I'll try testing for continuity this evening.

bjohnson

We had the same problem when the system was installed. It had been fed into the power circuit which went through an RCD and it kept tripping. In the end the installer fed it into the lighting side of the board which does not have an RCD and it was fine. I'm not sure if this is legal?

espresso

baldrick69 wrote: »

Thanks Ectophile. Since the RCD trips and not the MCB it would indicate a current leaking to earth. I'll try testing for continuity this evening.

Reading your posts it sounds like you would not know how or have the necessary equipment.

You need an electrician to investigate this for you if the original company is no more.

thenudeone

For such a recent installation I would hope that it should be covered under the much-trumpeted REAL "Guarantee", whether it turns out to be faulty parts or installation.

Can anyone confirm?

And how to "claim"

The_Green_Hornet

thenudeone wrote: »

For such a recent installation I would hope that it should be covered under the much-trumpeted REAL "Guarantee", whether it turns out to be faulty parts or installation.

Can anyone confirm?

And how to "claim"

From the REAL web site:

The Deposit and Workmanship Warranty Insurance (DAWWI) Scheme
A scheme to give you peace of mind

Please note that REAL is not an insurance company. We are the administrator of the REAL Consumer Code. You will not be covered by insurance unless your installer has registered your installation with an insurance company or other provider. If you are in any doubt about this you should check with your installer.

REAL member companies are required to protect any funds you pay in advance, just in case they cease to trade before they install the system. They are also required to protect the installer guarantee they must give you, just in case they cease to trade while it is still valid. Of course this is very unlikely to happen, but unfortunately it does from time to time. One way members can do this is by using the scheme we have arranged with QANW. (Member companies may also use other insurance companies if they so choose.)

Before you sign the contract you will be provided with this leaflet giving you all the information you require about the DAWWI Scheme. You should let the company know that you are happy for them to register the contract with the insurance provider on your behalf.

Consumer Insurance Scheme Leaflet

Where you have a valid claim

In the case of the workmanship warranty insurance, GPI Ltd will seek another REAL member business to repair a defect to your installation at no additional cost to you.

rogerblack

I concur with needing an actual electrician.
However, I will note that most forms of earth leakage detection can malfunction with age, and be subject to nuisance trips on loads that should not trip them if properly functioning.
The fact that a protective device trips does not mean that there is a fault in the circuit. It may be a fault in the device.

baldrick69

espresso wrote: »

Reading your posts it sounds like you would not know how or have the necessary equipment.

You need an electrician to investigate this for you if the original company is no more.

You're probably right. I'm going to give it one more shot anyway.

Ectophile

To be more precise, an RCD detects any case where the current going out through the live wire is not the same as the current coming back through the neutral.

This usually means that the current is leaking from the live to the earth somewhere, rather than going back through the neutral like it should.

A "neutral-earth" fault, where the neutral and earth have shorted together is one possibility. Damp is another. Even rodents gnawing through electricity cables.

Another possibility is a "borrowed neutral", where somebody has wired in an appliance (e.g. a light fitting) using the live from one circuit and the neutral from another. However, it's usually pretty obvious, as the RCD trips the moment the appliance is switched on.

It's the sort of thing where you need a qualified electrician with the proper testers to do a bit of fault-finding.

baldrick69

Last night I disconnected the mains side of the meter and the RCD doesn't trip. I reconnected the mains side and disconnected the inverter side of the meter and the RCD tripped.

zeupater

baldrick69 wrote: »

Last night I disconnected the mains side of the meter and the RCD doesn't trip. I reconnected the mains side and disconnected the inverter side of the meter and the RCD tripped.

Hi

When you mention disconnected, do you mean via an isolator(rotary ?) or physically unscrewing the wires ?

Considering the time that the system has been installed, I'd guess that the most likely cause would be a poor screw connection, either in the TGM or an isolator, which has heated oxidised & failed over time, in which case the connection would probably be arc damaged & need to be replaced ... as others have mentioned, you should really get someone qualified to have a look at this ....

HTH
Z