Iron affecting the electrics

cazs

My iron which I've used without issue for 3 years has twice within a week caused my power on the TV, phone and microwave to go. Though there weren't plugged in at the same point as the iron. I had to go and flick a switch in the electrics box which gets things going again. What might be wrong in this case?

HappyMJ

A faulty appliance...the iron? You can get a PAT inspection on the appliance and get it repaired. I wouldn't use it again until you've done that.

You've probably got fault in the iron causing it. Your RCD trips keeping you safe. Maybe the cable is worn due to frequent movement and live and earth are connecting.

phil24_7

Something is overloading the circuit. Does it only happen when using the iron? Was the microwave on at the same time? Is the TV a newer model or archaic? What other things do you have plugged in to the same circuit (the plugs that went dead)

Old appliances can get less efficient with age.

SailorSam

The fire brigade will often check small electrical items for you to see if they're safe. They don't want them causing a fire.
Don't go phoning 999, but if you've got a local station you can call in.

southcoastrgi

It's a 3 yr old iron, throw it in the bin & buy a new one

cazs

phil24_7 wrote: »

Something is overloading the circuit. Does it only happen when using the iron? Was the microwave on at the same time? Is the TV a newer model or archaic? What other things do you have plugged in to the same circuit (the plugs that went dead)

Old appliances can get less efficient with age.

Yep, twice recently when using the iron. Has not happened whilst using any other electrical item. Microwave was not in use. TV was on, as it always is when I'm ironing, otherwise ironing gets really boring.
Plugged into the same place as the iron was just my fish tank. Same as usual.
Someone further down said get a new iron and I could if need be, but I though it worth a check on here before spending £50-100 on a replacement.

cazs

cazs wrote: »

Yep, twice recently when using the iron. Has not happened whilst using any other electrical item. Microwave was not in use. TV was on, as it always is when I'm ironing, otherwise ironing gets really boring.
Plugged into the same place as the iron was just my fish tank. Same as usual.
Someone further down said get a new iron and I could if need be, but I though it worth a check on here before spending £50-100 on a replacement.

Sorry, forgot...
TV is Sony 2012 model

pendragon_arther

If you can open the iron's plug it's probably a loose screw, just tighten it.

brightontraveller

TV, phone etc all likely on same circuit most common reason if its an RCD that’s tripping faulty appliance (in this case iron ),
Check iron for damage to cable, body, plug connections (although its likely molded so you wouldn’t be able to do so ?)

Most common if not above is its a steam iron build up of fluff lint etc inside iron getting wet creating fault as fluff dries fault disappear cycle continues until either iron shorts out completely or RCD fails due to continued tripping? Although you can get iron PAT tested if it is latter fault it would most likely pass test as most wouldn’t run test iron long or press steam button so chances are fluff would be dry at time of test? It could also be combination of leakage current of all appliances on circuit but very unlikely Replace iron cheapest option ?

zax47

phil24_7 wrote: »

Something is overloading the circuit. Does it only happen when using the iron? Was the microwave on at the same time? Is the TV a newer model or archaic? What other things do you have plugged in to the same circuit (the plugs that went dead)

Old appliances can get less efficient with age.

No, it's not an "overload". The Residual Current Device (RCD) protecting the socket circuit has been tripped because of an excessive earth leakage current due to a fault with the iron. That's it's job and it will keep doing it while ever you keep plugging the iron in. Nothing has "overloaded".

The most common fault with any device with a heating element is the failure of that element, leading to a current leaking to earth and tripping the protecting RCD. If feasible then you can change the element (in an oven, for example) but it's just not worth it for an iron or kettle. Recycle it and get a new one.

macman

It could possibly be the socket, if it only trips when used in the same socket each time. If it trips the RCD from another socket, then it's the appliance shorting to earth. Bin it.