Plug in RCDs (N.B)

[VicS]

My plug in RCD seems to have failed.

This is the third or possibly fourth one I have had. Should they be this unreliable?

I normally keep it in one of the garage sockets so that it's always handy when I use portable tools or the extension lead.

Normallly I switch the socket off when not in use but sometimes it's left on .. that should not matter surely ?

 

[johnalison]

I've had mine for maybe fifteen years. I often leave it switched on and hadn't thought much about it.

 

[Graham_Wright]

My plug in RCD seems to have failed.

This is the third or possibly fourth one I have had. Should they be this unreliable?

I normally keep it in one of the garage sockets so that it's always handy when I use portable tools or the extension lead.

Normallly I switch the socket off when not in use but sometimes it's left on .. that should not matter surely ?

How does it fail;- won't switch on?

 

[VicS]

How does it fail;- won't switch on?

I seems very erratic.

It seemed to latch on sometimes with no power applied ( it may not have done really .. I had no load connected)

Sometimes it does not switch on when it should.

It does not seem to trip on the test button every time.

Not tried it with a deliberate fault

If it does not trip properly on the test button it cannot be trusted so has to go.

Had this one since Oct 1997.

 

[ostell]

Why not replace it with something like this?

 

[nigelmercier]

For a boat or use outdoors, I recommend one with a 10mA trip, see here.

 

[VicS]

Why not replace it with something like this?

For a boat or use outdoors, I recommend one with a 10mA trip, see here.

Its a plug in one and its a plug in one I'll want to replace it with.

It lives in one of the garage sockets for convenience

If I use any garden equipment I take it to the greenhouse and plug in to the unprotected circuit in there.

If I take any power tools to the boat I take it down to the boat yard .

An in line one in the extension lead would be nice but I have a 100m lead to use in the boat yard,
A 50m one to use in the garden.
One about 10 m that I use in the house and garage and several shorter ones.
and then of course there are times when I don't need an extension lead at all.

One plug in RCD caters for all.


Going to the petshop, Halfords, Homebase and Sainsburys this afternoon. I should get something in one of those.

 

[nigelmercier]

I've put mine on a short 4-way extension lead.

 

[maxi77]

I mainly use aone in the garage/shed fuse box, then all 'outside' sockets are covered. Even so I have also used the plug in type for many years and have never had a failure

 

[Momac]

I think circuit breakers are subject to wear and tear each time they trip. I guess the contacts get singed each time they break a circuit.

 

[cimo]

if it ain't tripping when tested its gotta go.

you didn't mention IP rating? - I find the indoor types can be pretty flimsy.
Looking for a good rugged outdoor one myself.

 

[nigelmercier]

Looking for a good rugged outdoor one myself.

Then take a look at the one in my post #6

 

[cimo]

yep. its got me thinking. cheers.
the plug-ins are handy though.

 

[VicS]

yep. its got me thinking. cheers.
the plug-ins are handy though.

I got a new one today from Homebase. No choice of types ... in fact a total stock of only two. Presumably not something they sell many of.

Timeswitches of all types, shapes and flavours but next to feck all when it came to RCDS.

No IP rating but then it's only going to be plugged into a standard 13 amp socket indoors or at least under cover.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wc...ay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=732863

 

[billskip]

I seems very erratic.

It seemed to latch on sometimes with no power applied ( it may not have done really .. I had no load connected)

Sometimes it does not switch on when it should.

It does not seem to trip on the test button every time.

Not tried it with a deliberate fault

If it does not trip properly on the test button it cannot be trusted so has to go.

Had this one since Oct 1997.

You absolutely sure its the device and not a high resistant earth/ground connection?

 

[VicS]

You absolutely sure its the device and not a high resistant earth/ground connection?

It behaves in the same erratic way in other sockets in the house.

The new one works perfectly!