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Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Our electricity is subject to constant RCD trips.
Constant - in the sense that we've been having them for years and have never managed to find the culprit. This problem,which is very common in Spain, is due to what is known as “nuisance tripping” –i.e. something, somewhere probably causes a leak to earth which cuts our supply by shutting the main protection RCD (or “trip” switch). https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nu....0.gCYYLNh6Fj4 99 times out of 100, we go straight to the fuse box and reset the switch without any further problem. Occasionally, it will not reset – therefore we assume that the fault is still present, but it never lasts longer than 5-10 minutes before we can reset it. Of course, if we’re away, the pool turns to pea soup and the freezer becomes a slime heap. It is possible that this fault is somewhere in our installation but we think it unlikely due to the random nature of the tripping. Sometimes it can be 2 months or more between “trips” but also it can be just 5 minutes, day or night, irrespective of what electrical devices are connected or working. 2 electricians I have spoken to have said that they could spend hours trying to find the fault and not succeed – especially as it is more likely to be located somewhere outside the property but somewhere in the neighbourhood. Therefore, probably due to the poor infrastructure of the electricity supply in our area (campo). There is a possible solution which is called a “residual current device recloser” – i.e. a replacement for our 25 amp RCD switch which will trip when a fault is detected but immediately reset the switch on if the fault has disappeared. So it literally “recloses” the circuit to reinstate the power supply. If the fault is still present, it remains off. There appears to be only one brand of this device in Spain – (Schneider) – and it is priced at approx. 200 euros. (Plus another 40/50 to fit it !). According to an electrician in the UK, this type of device would not meet the necessary safety standards and they are not available there. Does anyone have experience of these devices ? |
Re:Nuisance electrical tripping
Originally Posted by Loco Pedro
(Post 12352607)
Our electricity is subject to constant RCD trips.
Constant - in the sense that we've been having them for years and have never managed to find the culprit. This problem,which is very common in Spain, is due to what is known as “nuisance tripping” –i.e. something, somewhere probably causes a leak to earth which cuts our supply by shutting the main protection RCD (or “trip” switch). https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nu....0.gCYYLNh6Fj4 99 times out of 100, we go straight to the fuse box and reset the switch without any further problem. Occasionally, it will not reset – therefore we assume that the fault is still present, but it never lasts longer than 5-10 minutes before we can reset it. Of course, if we’re away, the pool turns to pea soup and the freezer becomes a slime heap. It is possible that this fault is somewhere in our installation but we think it unlikely due to the random nature of the tripping. Sometimes it can be 2 months or more between “trips” but also it can be just 5 minutes, day or night, irrespective of what electrical devices are connected or working. 2 electricians I have spoken to have said that they could spend hours trying to find the fault and not succeed – especially as it is more likely to be located somewhere outside the property but somewhere in the neighbourhood. Therefore, probably due to the poor infrastructure of the electricity supply in our area (campo). There is a possible solution which is called a “residual current device recloser” – i.e. a replacement for our 25 amp RCD switch which will trip when a fault is detected but immediately reset the switch on if the fault has disappeared. So it literally “recloses” the circuit to reinstate the power supply. If the fault is still present, it remains off. There appears to be only one brand of this device in Spain – (Schneider) – and it is priced at approx. 200 euros. (Plus another 40/50 to fit it !). According to an electrician in the UK, this type of device would not meet the necessary safety standards and they are not available there. Does anyone have experience of these devices ? Although 68 people have looked at my thread, there are no replies. Hence I'm changing the title in the hope that I attract the attention of someone with the experience I need. Ah - I see that hasn't worked. I don't know how to edit the title of the original post. |
re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
I can change it for you, just tell me what you want it altered to.
Rosemary |
re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
I really don't think this is a good idea.
Have your wiring checked and repaired. Any competent electrician should be able to measure the resistance to earth and identify which circuit(s) is causing the issue and repair / replace it. Are you are the only one experiencing tripping? Have you spoken with your neighbours? PS: Avoid exPat unqualified electricians |
re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by Rosemary
(Post 12354109)
I can change it for you, just tell me what you want it altered to.
Rosemary Thank you. |
re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by missile
(Post 12354114)
I really don't think this is a good idea.
Have your wiring checked and repaired. Any competent electrician should be able to measure the resistance to earth and identify which circuit(s) is causing the issue and repair / replace it. Are you are the only one experiencing tripping? Have you spoken with your neighbours? PS: Avoid exPat unqualified electricians The trip sometimes also occurs with our neighbour. Generally, I avoid ex-pat contractors in general as they tend to be here today & gone tomorrow. I'm really interested for your recommendation for a local Spanish electrician who can eliminate the problem so efficiently. We are near Denia. I assume I've only spoken to INcompetent electricians thus far ! |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
I'm very surprised it's the main RCD that trips and not one for a specific circuit.
Is it overload perhaps? I agree with the previous post, a GOOD electrician should be able to isolate the circuit and then the device (if it's not the actual cabling). |
Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by Loco Pedro
(Post 12354162)
As the fault is so intermittent, it is hard to locate - so say several electricians. German, English, Spanish alike.
The trip sometimes also occurs with our neighbour. Generally, I avoid ex-pat contractors in general as they tend to be here today & gone tomorrow. I'm really interested for your recommendation for a local Spanish electrician who can eliminate the problem so efficiently. We are near Denia. I assume I've only spoken to INcompetent electricians thus far ! You must know RCD is there for your safety and should not trip unless there is an overload / earth leakage? This makes sense to me. According to an electrician in the UK, this type of device would not meet the necessary safety standards |
Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by missile
(Post 12354236)
You did not say "several" you said two and have not said whether those are qualified? I would suggest you consult a reputable, long established, Spanish company. There are several in Denia.
You must know RCD is there for your safety and should not trip unless there is an overload / earth leakage? This makes sense to me. Snikpoh has suggested you may simply be overloading your circuit breaker. What potencia do you have installed? We have an ICP and smart meter. |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
5.75kW should be enough to prevent nuisance tripping on a domestic supply.
Please check and advise the rating on the RCD |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by Loco Pedro
(Post 12352607)
Our electricity is subject to constant RCD trips.
Constant - in the sense that we've been having them for years and have never managed to find the culprit. This problem,which is very common in Spain, is due to what is known as “nuisance tripping” –i.e. something, somewhere probably causes a leak to earth which cuts our supply by shutting the main protection RCD (or “trip” switch). https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nu....0.gCYYLNh6Fj4 99 times out of 100, we go straight to the fuse box and reset the switch without any further problem. Occasionally, it will not reset – therefore we assume that the fault is still present, but it never lasts longer than 5-10 minutes before we can reset it. Of course, if we’re away, the pool turns to pea soup and the freezer becomes a slime heap. It is possible that this fault is somewhere in our installation but we think it unlikely due to the random nature of the tripping. Sometimes it can be 2 months or more between “trips” but also it can be just 5 minutes, day or night, irrespective of what electrical devices are connected or working. 2 electricians I have spoken to have said that they could spend hours trying to find the fault and not succeed – especially as it is more likely to be located somewhere outside the property but somewhere in the neighbourhood. Therefore, probably due to the poor infrastructure of the electricity supply in our area (campo). There is a possible solution which is called a “residual current device recloser” – i.e. a replacement for our 25 amp RCD switch which will trip when a fault is detected but immediately reset the switch on if the fault has disappeared. So it literally “recloses” the circuit to reinstate the power supply. If the fault is still present, it remains off. There appears to be only one brand of this device in Spain – (Schneider) – and it is priced at approx. 200 euros. (Plus another 40/50 to fit it !). According to an electrician in the UK, this type of device would not meet the necessary safety standards and they are not available there. Does anyone have experience of these devices ? |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by missile
(Post 12354248)
5.75kW should be enough to prevent nuisance tripping on a domestic supply.
Please check and advise the rating on the RCD |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by Loco Pedro
(Post 12354243)
5.75 kW is shown on our bills.
We have an ICP and smart meter. Is it the MAIN RCD? As suggested it may not be correctly rated. |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by snikpoh
(Post 12354294)
The ICP is now redundant as it is now built in to the smart meter.
Is it the MAIN RCD? As suggested it may not be correctly rated. In fact, both the ICP & the main trip are 25 amp. |
Re: Nuisance Electricity Tripping
Originally Posted by Loco Pedro
(Post 12354307)
In fact, both the ICP & the main trip are 25 amp.
We're on 5.75 as well. ICP is/was 25A Main RCD is 32A |
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