RCD info?

[Kappy]

Yes there is a power board with a surge protector, will investigate, thanks.

Disconnected the surge protector, same old same old.

Rain overnight, no moisture ingress, but humidity high??

Will wait for replacement RCD's

[jon_d]

Kappy, just an fyi.

If going from single pole RCD's to double; you'll need a sparky to do the work. Quite a bit of wiring involved.

[Kappy]

Are you running on the inverter or mains power when it happens Kappy? Always tricky trying to find out if the trip is an active to earth, neutral to earth after the RCD or an overload. Unless the overload is substantial, it takes a while for a circuit breaker to trip, they are designed that way, but a short to the earth should be instant. Moisture in a switching circuit will cause it, that is why electric fridges often had their own special trip switch .... can't remember the letter combination but it was intended to get around the false tripping problem.
The one in the photo with "This one" written across it says "Air Conditioner" under it, are you saying the jug stops when this RCD trips?

T1 Terry

Terry,
I hear you talking about earths.
On inspection of the RCD's I notice wires Active and Neutral going into RCD and coming out, I noticed the earths attached to a separate bar.

Is it worth checking the connections of these earths, could they be affected by damp? create poor connection due to vibration etc.
Worth using Contact And Circuit Board Cleaner?

This tripping is intermittent with no pattern.

[supersparky]

Kappy, an RCD works by measuring the current that flows through the active wire then through the device in use, then back through the neutral wire. If there is a difference of greater than 30 mA, then the device will trip, if it is rated at 30mA. In this case it doesnt measure the earth. An ELCB, which is an earth leakage circuit breakage works in a different manner and requires a good earth connection. I believe that yours are just a low end RCD, and replacing them is a good way to start. What brand are you replacing them with? In the past I have replaced significant numbers of RCD's and ELCB's that didn't match their required performance curve. You probaly don't have access to the test equip that you need to do these tests.

[supersparky]

Kappy, I just worded up a big explanation and a recall notice for your RCBO's and lost it all. Bugger. Anyway, the ones in your bus were recalled about 2 year ago because of test failures. Replace them all, which I think you are anyway. PM me your mobile number and I will call you if you need any more info.

[Kappy]

Thanks David.

I've had intermittent tripping on a number of em over time, no pattern and even when no apparent drain.

One circuit trips out with nothing attached at all was for my electric hotplate, un plugged maybe it OK never bothered as don't use.

I have found the recall notice, it dates 2018.

The main power RCD is a clipsal, should that be replaced?

Ive seen some priced at $200 and above and some for around $30

Clipsal are still doing single pole????https://www.sparkydirect.com.au/p/4RCBE ... a-6ka.html

[Kappy]

RCD Update.

Had some Avanco RCD's fitted today all systems go.

Having said that the system hadn't trapped for 4 days even with old RCD's Switching between Invertor and mains. all were tested and appeared OK, but still changed.

For some time now I haven't used the electric hot plate on my stove believing it to be faulty due to tripping.

Actually unplugged ages ago.

Plug the stove in this morning and what do you know works and doesn't trip anything.

Thanks all for the guidance.

[jon_d]

Good job Kappy.

Glad to here it's all working better now. - Stay safe.

jd

[supersparky]

Kappy, after I found the recall notice for that type you have since replaced, I figured that spurious tripping was going to be the answer. If it happens again any time again, let us know . All's well that ends well.

[Kappy]

Thanks

All well for now, very frustrating was the intermittent nature of it.

Pleasing to discover my hot plate wasn't toast, nearly sacked the whole stove because of it, pleased I didn't.

Hope to do an update of the progress.

I guess the Avanco is a reliable brand. The Clipsal main switch was actually made in Australia, can you believe that?