Electric tripping

[Sean_374460408]

I have a 2004 Compass Corona 534 and ever since new we have had problems with it tripping. Even the main dealer has not been able to find a problem.

We can run just the tv in the middle of the afternoon and it still trips, but mainly when the electric heater is on.

What fuses would you put in for the electric heater and the electric fire ?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Sean,

Can you be a little more specific with your information please.

when you say itrs 'tripping' what is tripping, is the MCB or the RCD in the caravans consumer box, or is it something else.

Just to answer the other part of your question, you should replace any fuse with the sized originally supplied or specified by the manufacturer.

Putting in a larger fuse may mask a serious fault.

 

[Sean_374460408]

Hello Sean,

Can you be a little more specific with your information please.

when you say itrs 'tripping' what is tripping, is the MCB or the RCD in the caravans consumer box, or is it something else.

Just to answer the other part of your question, you should replace any fuse with the sized originally supplied or specified by the manufacturer.

Putting in a larger fuse may mask a serious fault.

I have a 3 amp fuse for the water and a 15 amp fuse for the heater. The main fuse box trips, I think it is called the RCD

 

[Jennifer2]

3 amp for the water heater sounds low, our water heater was 800watts, what is yours?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Sean,

Lets try to be clear then; The RCD, is the protection device that has a test button on it. If this is tripping than it means that one of your appliances or lighting circuits has a serious fault.

Its nothing to do with fuses.

You should get a professional to check all your the caravan and all the appliances in it. This should identify where and what the fault is.

,

If the RCD is

 

[Woody3]

If the supply is switching off when only the TV is in use then it is unlikely to be the RCD as the TV will only have two core cable. (I oftern wonder why RCD's are fitted in 'vans as anyone inside the van is unlikely to be earthed. I suppose there will be those that extend power outside though.....)

If it is the 16A current trip that is operating - but not immediately is suggested by the OP - then it is likely a faulty MCB. If something is pulling well in excess of 16A but slow enough to impose a time delay then cables will be getting warm and may smell.

If on the other hand it is the RCD that is switching of with nothing but the TV active then it is definitely faulty - and that is much more common than many may think.

Either way, if the OP is not compitent to do it himself then he should get a good electrician to look at it - not a caravan dealer.

 

[xtrailman]

Woody

rcd will see a difference in feed and return, and trip accordingly.

 

[xtrailman]

Sean

The 3 amp fuse for the heater is ok, but i would reduce the heater fuse to 10amp, assuming it is only the heater on the circuit.

Feed the tv via a plug in rcd, that trips at 30 ma, these cost about

 

[RichardJ]

Hi Sean

Once you have checked your connections, and it does sound like you have loose wires, feel the mcb next time it trips, if it gets hot, change it.

BUT ensure all your connections are tight, if you know a sparky, ask him to put a ampmeter on it, should lead you to the fault, failing that if you are in S Wales give me a ring.

Richard

Monmouthshire

 

[RichardJ]

Hi Sean

Once you have checked your connections, and it does sound like you have loose wires, feel the mcb next time it trips, if it gets hot, change it.

BUT ensure all your connections are tight, if you know a sparky, ask him to put a ampmeter on it, should lead you to the fault, failing that if you are in S Wales give me a ring.

Richard

Monmouthshire

 

[Woody3]

Woody

rcd will see a difference in feed and return, and trip accordingly.

Ray, if the TV has two core cable how can there be any difference between feed and return currents? If some is getting lost it must go somewhere, so where? Can't be the aerial as that is also double insulated and is on the down side of the (isolating) power supply in the TV. (The OP doesn't say whether the TV has internal or external power supply - even more applicable if it is external.)

The OP's original message suggests that the tripping is not immediate, possibly time delayed. A RCD will usually trip immediately, so it is more likely a breaker of which he is talking.

Either way MCBs and RCDs are designed to be fitted and forgotten in a static location, not bounced about all over Europe! More than likely a mechanical problem and/or a cheap unit. Replace it with a good make such as MK or MEM.

Someone else said it could be the mains connection cable. How? The cable is the RCD and MCBs - if the cable were at fault it would trip the bollard, not the 'van.

 

[brian_689607]

Hi Sean

Once you have checked your connections, and it does sound like you have loose wires, feel the mcb next time it trips, if it gets hot, change it.

BUT ensure all your connections are tight, if you know a sparky, ask him to put a ampmeter on it, should lead you to the fault, failing that if you are in S Wales give me a ring.

Richard

Monmouthshire

I have looked at Sean's caravan, it is the middle double switch (16amp) of the RCB that trips (there are three switches within the RCB unit, i.e. 10amp, 16amp and the main RCB switch) it was tripping randomly. We have replaced the switch itself but it still trips although now it appears to be OK with the 2kw heater, TV and table light on but trips when 2kw heater plus 2kw kettle are used together. the caravan spec suggests that max amperage is 25, which is more than the drain from heater and kettle, which I calculate to be around 17.5amp. All connections appear to be good. Am I right in thinking that it is likely to be an earthing problem and has anyone any further suggestions. Regards Brian