Electric sockets

[tiptornado]

Hi all
I have a problem with the mains 3 pin sockets. There was no plugs plugged into any of the sockets, then suddenly the fuse box tripped out. Every time I set the trip etc, the fuse box outside trips out and visa versa. All fuses are all OK, the fridge still works. And the 12 volt lights etc are OK. The hob on the cooker as also stopped working. Does anyone have any ideas
Thanks

 

[RogerL]

Check for hidden sockets - for the microwave, fridge and cooker hob - then try to identify which main circuit is the issue by turning all the MCBs off and then turning them on one by one.

 

[tiptornado]

Check for hidden sockets - for the microwave, fridge and cooker hob - then try to identify which main circuit is the issue by turning all the MCBs off and then turning them on one by one.

The microwave is unplugged also the cooker is. There is 1 external socket and that's not working. All the mcb's are off its fine. , until i turn on the one for the sockets , then immediately trips.

 

[audiorob]

I had a similar problem when my charging unit (contained within the distribution unit) ceased working- I had help from my AWS techie, but once the mounting for the unit was removed the kettle style plug could be removed from the charger, and then the tripping stopped. Once this was replaced and refitted no more problems!

 

[tiptornado]

I had a similar problem when my charging unit (contained within the distribution unit) ceased working- I had help from my AWS techie, but once the mounting for the unit was removed the kettle style plug could be removed from the charger, and then the tripping stopped. Once this was replaced and refitted no more problems!

Sorry , I'm not very technical minded. The fridge still works. It's strange how it suddenly tripped out with nothing in the sockets

 

[IanB1485]

The water heater and space heater ( if separate units) and the battery charger are all permanently connected to the RCD ( the bit that trips) if you have a combined water/space heater combi 4e or Alde unit that also will be connected to the RCD , even if switched off , the neutral is connected and if there is an earth fault the RCD will trip. To isolate the fault, switch off one of the MCBs at a time ( see attached photo showing the MCBs and RCD )and try to reset the RCD , if it resets then something on the circuit the MCB feeds is faulty, if not switch the MCB back on and try the next . This will allow the rest of the 240V system to continue working. The MCBs are two pole which isolates both the live and neutral wires . The interesting thing about the RCD and one on on the hook up post is they are both rated at 30mA and its 50:50 as to which trips first.Once you have determined what the MCB that causes the trip , you can then find the faulty appliance . It will probably require the services of a caravan engineer to repair the faulty appliance.

 

[tiptornado]

The water heater and space heater ( if separate units) and the battery charger are all permanently connected to the RCD ( the bit that trips) if you have a combined water/space heater combi 4e or Alde unit that also will be connected to the RCD , even if switched off , the neutral is connected and if there is an earth fault the RCD will trip. To isolate the fault, switch off one of the MCBs at a time ( see attached photo showing the MCBs and RCD )and try to reset the RCD , if it resets then something on the circuit the MCB feeds is faulty, if not switch the MCB back on and try the next . This will allow the rest of the 240V system to continue working. The MCBs are two pole which isolates both the live and neutral wires . The interesting thing about the RCD and one on on the hook up post is they are both rated at 30mA and its 50:50 as to which trips first.Once you have determined what the MCB that causes the trip , you can then find the faulty appliance . It will probably require the services of a caravan engineer to repair the faulty appliance.

 

[tiptornado]

There are no appliances plugged into any socket.

 

[IanB1485]

No, they are wired directly from the MCBS you have three MCB's , the left hand one does the charger and fridge mains heater supply , the centre one is the 13A sockets and the RH does the water heater and space heater.
Are you saying that the system as shown in your photo is working with the sockets MCB set to off ? i.e.
1. The RCD is ON and the charger/Fridge MCB is ON and the water heater/Boiler MCB is ON
2. The centre MCB marked 'sockets' is OFF.
3. No external appliances are fitted to any of the sockets, go round the caravan and double check.
4. When you activate the sockets MCB it trips the RCD?
If thats the case , then there is an internal fault in the mains wiring harness, again you will need an electrician /caravan engineer to check out and rectify the fault.

 

[tiptornado]

No, they are wired directly from the MCBS you have three MCB's , the left hand one does the charger and fridge mains heater supply , the centre one is the 13A sockets and the RH does the water heater and space heater.
Are you saying that the system as shown in your photo is working with the sockets MCB set to off ? i.e.
1. The RCD is ON and the charger/Fridge MCB is ON and the water heater/Boiler MCB is ON
2. The centre MCB marked 'sockets' is OFF.
3. No external appliances are fitted to any of the sockets, go round the caravan and double check.
4. When you activate the sockets MCB it trips the RCD?
If thats the case , then there is an internal fault in the mains wiring harness, again you will need an electrician /caravan engineer to check out and rectify the fault.

Yes. I was thinking it might be a internal wire issue. Many thanks for your help.

 

[tiptornado]

No, they are wired directly from the MCBS you have three MCB's , the left hand one does the charger and fridge mains heater supply , the centre one is the 13A sockets and the RH does the water heater and space heater.
Are you saying that the system as shown in your photo is working with the sockets MCB set to off ? i.e.
1. The RCD is ON and the charger/Fridge MCB is ON and the water heater/Boiler MCB is ON
2. The centre MCB marked 'sockets' is OFF.
3. No external appliances are fitted to any of the sockets, go round the caravan and double check.
4. When you activate the sockets MCB it trips the RCD?
If thats the case , then there is an internal fault in the mains wiring harness, again you will need an electrician /caravan engineer to check out and rectify the fault.

I'm trying to find where the fridge plugs in, then, maybe use the power it uses for other appliances

 

[Woodentop]

The fridge usually plugs in at floor level in the unit next to the fridge.
The question of which RCD trips, caravan or pillar, is random if you put power on with both RCDs active. However if No1 trips and you try to restore it No2 will go immediately as No2 will typically trip in about 30mS tops, and you will be holding No1 on for longer than that no matter how short you think it is.

This sounds to me like a wire has disconnected from the rear of one of the sockets and may be sitting with, say, a N-E short. Don't forget that if your van has an external mains outlet for the awning or similar, there will be a cable transition inside the van somewhere near the back of the external socket which needs to be checked.

One thing you can easily try is to get a socket safety test plug and plug it into the socket for one of the appliances that has easy access to that socket. You should see the test plug showing all is healthy. Then get an assistant to switch on the MCB for the sockets whilst you watch the test indication. You may just be able to see the indications change which will give a good pointer to the fault.

I often recommend on here that if you don't have one get Screwfix item 906YW which comprises a socket test plug, a non-contact mains tester, and a very useful Digital Multimeter.
I have no connection with Screwfix, but I think this small kit should be an item that all caravanners ought to carry.