Main Fuse - why?

orrla

Please tell me what this may be caused by:
My CH boiler broke down so I am using halogen heaters now, 400W each bar, until new boiler installation in few weeks. I am in small 1 bed flat with modern electricity switch box. Some time ago when 3 bars were on, after putting a kettle on fuses shut, and a socket switch too. The kettle broke. New kettle now, I am careful and don't use more than 3 bars at one time - each in different room. Today when just two bars were on (plus computer), each different socket, fuses shut suddenly - just a main flat’s switch. Why? Could this be affected by some works going on at my neighbor’s flat upstairs? I know nothing about electricity so sorry if questions are bit stupid but it makes me nervous, and with cold days now I’d rather be able to use 4 or 5 bars at one time ... Thanks!

macman

You've probably overloaded the ring main. Different rooms are irrelevant if you only have the one ring main in the property, which will have a limit of 30/32 amps. Check the CU to see how many ring main circuits there are.
There may just be a fault on one socket causing an issue, or a faulty MCB or RCD, so an electrican is required.
Nothing to do with your neighbour, as they should be wired on their own supply.

orrla

Thanks! I am afraid I am quite ignorant - how many 400W bars 30/32 amp ought to be ok with? I don't know what CU is, please, or a MCB or RCD?
What was strange this last time that earlier on more was on, including a kettle and all worked. So I am puzzled, .. and wonder if I should call energy supplier to check?

Hazzanet

orrla wrote: »

I don't know what CU is, please, or a MCB or RCD?

CU = Consumer Unit = Fuse Box
MCB = Miniature Circuit Breaker (trip switch which protects from overloading the circuit)
RCD = Residual Current Device (normally sits to one side of the sockets' trip switches and protects you from electrocution on the circuit(s) protected by it)

ev70

Assuming just 3 bars on one heater, kettle and a computer. :-
Just a quick calculator bit of maths and some assumptions on how much power is drawn by the computer and kettle gives a basic current draw on your ring main of around 20A (Amps). You do not say what else you have on in your flat, but 20A is fairly high but still within most circuit breakers.

Cardew

There is nothing in the scenario you describe that should have damaged your original kettle.

Your neighbour's flat should have no electrical connection with your flat.

As your CH boiler broke down, do you have a hot water tank with an immersion heater switched on? (if your boiler is a combi you won't have a tank)

Enterprise_1701C

Did you have other things running at the time, fridge, freezer, oven, washing machine etc?

victor2

As Cardew says, your kettle failing doesn't fit into the scenario you describe. It could just be an unfortunate coincidence that it failed when it did. Could be that it just needs a new fuse in the plug. Did you keep the old one?

Anyway, it does sound like you may have some dodgy wiring and/or sockets. Worth getting a local electrician to have a look at it as it could be that you using a higher electrical load than normal has exposed a fault developing in your wiring.
Can a friend or neighbour recommend an electrician to you?

macman

What 'bar' on an electric fire only draws 400W? Aren't they generally switchable in 1kW increments (1/2/3 kW's?)

Hominu

orrla wrote: »

Thanks! I am afraid I am quite ignorant - how many 400W bars 30/32 amp ought to be ok with? I don't know what CU is, please, or a MCB or RCD?

Watts = Volts * Amps
240V * 30A = 7200 Watts
1 kW = 1000 Watts, so 7.2 kW

Typical kettle = 3 kW
7 * 400W = 2.8 kW
Total: 5.8 kW
Plus all your other equipment (fridge/freezer, computer, etc)

I'd be surprised if your heaters are only 400W though.

You can see why a kettle would throw the fuse if you are already near the maximum.

MCB could be a bit flakey at times near their maximum. Never run them at full load.

Wywth

orrla wrote: »

Please tell me what this may be caused by:
My CH boiler broke down so I am using halogen heaters now, 400W each bar, until new boiler installation in few weeks. I am in small 1 bed flat with modern electricity switch box. Some time ago when 3 bars were on, after putting a kettle on fuses shut, and a socket switch too. The kettle broke. New kettle now, I am careful and don't use more than 3 bars at one time - each in different room. Today when just two bars were on (plus computer), each different socket, fuses shut suddenly - just a main flat’s switch. Why? Could this be affected by some works going on at my neighbor’s flat upstairs? I know nothing about electricity so sorry if questions are bit stupid but it makes me nervous, and with cold days now I’d rather be able to use 4 or 5 bars at one time ... Thanks!

If this is the same boiler you had installed just 18 nonths ago, then it should be still under warranty.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3491607

I wouldn't be waiting weeks to get it fixed