RCD issue

L

Luke Easthope

New Member
Hi, wondering if anyone could help me please.

I've installed a new consumer unit in my house. Upstairs lighting, sockets and central heating all working no problems protected by RCD. Downstairs lights, utility ring main, lounge ring main and cooker all work fine until 2nd RCD installed to protect downstairs, all work with no load, then with minimal load RCD trips.

So far I have tested/checked lighting circuit, lounge ring main and utility ring main as well consumer unit connection as well as every socket. I can't seem to find the problem. Like I said all work without the introduction of the 2nd RCD also checked the RCD to make sure it wasnt faulty still same issue...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated even if its something obvious I'm missing please and thankyou!
 
Any pictures?

Simple things to look for, neutrals in the correct bar, borrowed neutral on the up and down lighting circuits
 
Luke Easthope said:
So far I have tested/checked lighting circuit, lounge ring main and utility ring main as well consumer unit connection as well as every socket. I can't seem to find the problem.
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What tests have you done ? Do you have the equipment to do an IR test on these circuits ?

In addition to what @Ind spark says, you may need to start opening up each accessory / socket front / cooker plate etc., and checking each of the terminations.
 
I when no RCD is fitted start with the clamp on ammeter. The diffrence should not exceed 9 mA.

Cooker, immersion heater, frost free freezer uses mineral insulated heaters, and these are well known for absorbing mosture from the atmosphere, the on/off switch often does not switch neutral, so testing with insulation tester neutral to earth can often find faults missed testing line to earth, I would just use 250 volt setting I know should use 500 volt, but that could give wrong reading if there are any SPD fitted.

I am assuming you have the equipment when doing notifiable work?
 
There is a member on here who is an absolute stickler for the law. He will report you to the Part P police. They will come and arrest you then take you to the Tower of London where you will be flogged to within an inch of your life (I don't like metric), then you will be paraded through the streets with a hat saying "I failed Part P notification."

Then you will be sent to a dungeon for 6 months :D
 
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What testing have you done?
Are you an electrician or a diyer out of their depth?
What test equipment do you have?
 
Bazza-spark said:
Er, you do realise this work in notifiable under Part P of the building regs?
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Why are you telling him this? In the other thread you told to op to ignore me when I told him his diy work was illegal and that I was wrong becuase I don't work as a "professional spark".

Bazza-spark said:
@diycozigotta if your sparky has suggested doing it this way and is happy with it, you carry on mate.

As @Ind spark says, running the cable there is in line with the socket so compliant with the zones.

The information you are being given above is by somebody who is not a professional spark.
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Under Part P you know of a law that says it's different to replace a CU without notifing than there is for a registered spark to notifiy work he didn't do?
 
Coloumb said:
Why are you telling him this? In the other thread you told to op to ignore me when I told him his diy work was illegal and that I was wrong becuase I don't work as a "professional spark".
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I told him to ignore you because your advice was contradictory to that given him by his pro sparky.

Coloumb said:
Under Part P you know of a law that says it's different to replace a CU without notifing than there is for a registered spark to notifiy work he didn't do?
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Part P requires the notification of a consumer unit replacement in domestic properties whoever does it. The difference being if it is done by a registered spark then it can be done after the work is completed. If it is an unregistered spark or DIYer then it must be notified in advance and the appropriate fees paid unless it is an emergency, as you well know.
 
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Bazza-spark said:
I told him to ignore you because your advice was contradictory to that given him by his pro sparky.

Part P requires the notification of a consumer unit replacement in domestic properties whoever does it. Ye difference being if it is done by a registered spark then it can be done after the work is completed. Ifit is an unregistered spark or DIYer then it must be notified in advance and the appropriate fees paid unless it is an emergency, as you well know.
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The advice I gave him was correct. Anything his spark tells him is completey irrelevant. It is just as illegal for a registered spark to certify work he didn't do as it is for a DIY'er to fit a CU with notifying BC first. There is absolutny no difference between the two. You are breaking Part P of the building regulations law in both cases.
 
Wellwisher said:
Notifiable yes, but nothing to do with part P which says work must be safe.
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Not notifiable in industrial, (where I worked) as Part P doesn't apply, but in domestic which it does. And Wales has different rules to England as our reg didn't change.
 
This is part P. That's it. Nothing about notification. Nothing about part P qualified.
 

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Wellwisher said:
This is part P. That's it. Nothing about notification. Nothing about part P qualified.
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Don't want to argue, but I never mentioned Part P qualified and this is a direct link and quote from the official page.

To be honest, I don't care whether he notifies it or not, I was just pointing out the fact.

Being retired I don't do any of it any more anyway.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a802da7ed915d74e622ceed/BR_PDF_AD_P_2013.pdf

upload_2023-12-15_20-35-31.png

Look at the actual reg, not a clip.

OMG!

I'm morphing into him!
 
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Oh so if I install a distribution unit instead of a consumer unit it's then OK?

The only time when there is a problem is when some one is injured. Hospitals are required to notify with an electric shock, and I have had the HSE inspector visit as a result.

But when I wanted copies of the completion certificate I was told it would take 4 months, so there is little chance of solicitors checking if a completion or compliance certificate was issued.
 
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