rcd question

bordercars

friend of mine has notice board with a spotlight over the top of controlled by a daylight sensor. the light comes on at dusk but goes off at midnight, i think some sort of time control.

he has had 2 IP rated boxes with a socket and RCD inside for a pair of christmas trees put onto the circuit, looks like a spur from the spotlight supply.

the christmas tree lights are not coming on, unless he presses the reset button on each rcd.

my thought was, when the sensor cuts out it is tripping the rcd, is this right and is there any way round it.

Figment

Hard to say without knowing exactly how it's been wired up, but if the spotlight/timer/sensor is tripping the RCD there must be a fault which needs investigating by an electrician.

bordercars

the spotlight works fine. it is after that,.

to my knowledge has been wired in by a part p sparky.

neilwoods

If a sparky put this in, then best to get him back and fix his problem. Could be problem with rcd, may be an earthing problem (wired incorrectly), again wired neutral incorrectly.

Owain_Moneysaver

Some RCDs trip when power is removed, and must be reset manually. This is to prevent power being applied to a power tool unexpectedly after a power cut. If the RCD is downstream of the photocell this would explain it.

bordercars

Thanks Owain, youve got what i was trying to say and confirmed my thoughts.