Tumble dryer + RCD

[Sheets Tabuer]

I'm wondering where my first point of call is going to be, I have a hotpoint condensing dryer that is constantly tripping the fuse box when you turn it on, it trips the whole lot not just the RCD it is on.

I live in rented accommodation so it is either going to be a case of getting the landlord out or getting hotpoint out.

The dryer only started tripping the fuses yesterday and was working well up until then although in the 12 months I've had it I have had them out twice to fix it.

I realise it is probably the dryer but I'm curious as the whole fuse box is tripping and I suppose I don't want hotpoint batting me back and forth to the landlord for 6 months while the problem is fixed.

Is there anything I can check? I have already moved the dryer upstairs to check if it works on that ring but it still trips the lot.

Thanks.

[Smiler.]

Please clarify the consumer unit (fusebox) arrangement:

1. Are they fuses or miniature circuit breakers (MCB's)
2. Is the consumer unit split (i.e. an RCD protects a number of outgoing ways)
3. Is the RCD(s) integral to the consumer unit

[Sheets Tabuer]

They are MCBs.
It is split.
No you can pull them out.

Apologies for my non technical explanation.

[Smiler.]

Ok, so you have only one RCD?

It the RCD tripping or the individual circuit MCB?

[Sheets Tabuer]

The whole lot is tripping, the mini circuit breakers don't trip.

[Smiler.]

OK, you ought to get the appliance checked-out.

Check the wiring in the plug-top to make sure nothing is loose (assuming it's not moulded), and then perhaps where the cable terminates at the appliance.

Check for signs of damage to the flex.

By default, most appliances have an amount of natural leakage to earth.

It's a ball ache, but try unplugging all the other appliances (not just switching them off, because they often leak current to earth when connected) & running just the drier.

What is the rating of the RCD (30mA is typical)?

[Sheets Tabuer]

There doesn't seem to be damage anywhere to the flex or plug.

The lights come on ok but when you set it to dry it trips everything so I assume a short in the motor, a call to hotpoint methinks.

Thanks for your help.

[Smiler.]

Sheets Tabuer said:

There doesn't seem to be damage anywhere to the flex or plug.

The lights come on ok but when you set it to dry it trips everything so I assume a short in the motor, a call to hotpoint methinks.

Thanks for your help.

No probs, good luck.

[Z4monster]

I had an iron which tripped out the RCD and knocked the whole house electricity off everytime it swithced back on to heat up the soleplate. I think the bimetal strip was probably goosed and suspect that the spark jumping the gap was probably tripping the RCD. Sounds like it might be the same for your dryer.

[garycat]

I have a similar problem with the RCD in a new consumer unit fitted about 2 weeks ago. Whenever we use the slow cooker the RCD trips about 2 hours. I guess we need a new slow cooker.

The problem with these new MCBs & RCDs is that they highlight poor wiring quality in your appliances and ring main.

[mk1fan]

garycat said:

The problem with these new MCBs & RCDs is that they highlight poor wiring quality in your appliances and ring main.

You see that as a problem?

[Smiler.]

mk1fan said:

garycat said:

The problem with these new MCBs & RCDs is that they highlight poor wiring quality in your appliances and ring main.

You see that as a problem?

What people don't realise is that every electrical appliance leaks current to earth to a greater or lesser degree, typically 1-5mA.

Split boards are a pain as are circuit with lots of sockets.

The latest regs require that likely leakage currents in any circuit are considered to minimise nuisance tripping.

[garycat]

Smiler. said:

mk1fan said:

garycat said:

The problem with these new MCBs & RCDs is that they highlight poor wiring quality in your appliances and ring main.

You see that as a problem?

What people don't realise is that every electrical appliance leaks current to earth to a greater or lesser degree, typically 1-5mA.

Split boards are a pain as are circuit with lots of sockets.

The latest regs require that likely leakage currents in any circuit are considered to minimise nuisance tripping.

The problem is not that I have to go around trying to find the appliances etc that are leaking to earth and pay to replace them.

As a workaround I found that if I plugged the dodgy slow cooker in via the UPS I use for the computer everything works OK so maybe an anti-surge / power conditioner extention lead may help with your tumble dryer problem. Something like this - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/45272