Hi, first time poster new to caravanning, I tripped the electric in the caravan which has resulted in a rcd trip switch fault, it's not resetting at all, I got an electrician out and they have tested cable , mcbs all fine, can the rcd be changed by itself or is a new power module going to be needed? Many thanks
Replacement rcd for a swift challenger
- Thread starter Maggie McB
- Start date
- Sep 4, 2011
- 542
- 318
- 19,135
The Electrician should have been able to sort it for you. The details on the RCD if given to an Electrical wholesaler should be able to supply one. But I would recommend you get a qualified Electrician to fit it for you, (Safety First)
The RCD can indeed be changed. On older caravans, some EDUs were pop-riveted together , so you may need to drill out the pop rivets to gain access . the RCD type is a 25A 30mA type and can be bought from any electrical wholesaler , If you can't get hold of the 25A version a 40A 30mA is OK or even a 60A type ( as it will handle a higher current but still trips at 30mA). You can get them from camper select , CPC Farnell, CEF (City electrical factors) (pennine leisure supplies, but you have to set an account) also the ubiquitous ebay .
I did find it odd that the electrician could 'test' the MCBs without the RCD being ON or taking apart the EDU to get at the MCB terminals. Point to note :- the RCD won't switch on if there is no power to it .
I did find it odd that the electrician could 'test' the MCBs without the RCD being ON or taking apart the EDU to get at the MCB terminals. Point to note :- the RCD won't switch on if there is no power to it .
I'm afraid it isn't as easy as described above.
Whilst DIN-rail mounted RCDs will mount on a DIN rail, not all RCDs are the same body size or have the connections in the same place that they will fit in the power box. I had an issue with mine on a Pegasus 462. I found a Schneider (formerly MEM) device was essentially a good fit, then the second issue arose. The supply leaving the RCD and feeding the MCBs is actually two pieces of insulated copper busbar - and the connection pins that go into the RCD are in the wrong position. My solution was to remove the busbar, then take a length of EHU cable and split it open. I put one length of each flex twisted pair - brown and blue - from the relevant output of the RCD to the relevant input of each MCB trying as possible to keep the length of each flex pair to be about the same. You MUST use flex as if you try to use single core mains wiring-type cable, there is a good chance it will in time break due to vibration.
You can of course buy a replacement RCD but you will have to go to a dealer (if they will sell you one) and pay their stupid price: Prima Leisure quote the replacement (which is a cheap and nasty Chinese product) at just under £86: my Schneider cost - as I recall - about £22.
HOWEVER, don't try doing this yourself if you are not confident with or suitably trained in electrical wiring. Elecktrikery is not forgiving if you get it wrong!
Whilst DIN-rail mounted RCDs will mount on a DIN rail, not all RCDs are the same body size or have the connections in the same place that they will fit in the power box. I had an issue with mine on a Pegasus 462. I found a Schneider (formerly MEM) device was essentially a good fit, then the second issue arose. The supply leaving the RCD and feeding the MCBs is actually two pieces of insulated copper busbar - and the connection pins that go into the RCD are in the wrong position. My solution was to remove the busbar, then take a length of EHU cable and split it open. I put one length of each flex twisted pair - brown and blue - from the relevant output of the RCD to the relevant input of each MCB trying as possible to keep the length of each flex pair to be about the same. You MUST use flex as if you try to use single core mains wiring-type cable, there is a good chance it will in time break due to vibration.
You can of course buy a replacement RCD but you will have to go to a dealer (if they will sell you one) and pay their stupid price: Prima Leisure quote the replacement (which is a cheap and nasty Chinese product) at just under £86: my Schneider cost - as I recall - about £22.
HOWEVER, don't try doing this yourself if you are not confident with or suitably trained in electrical wiring. Elecktrikery is not forgiving if you get it wrong!
Last edited:
Facebook
Twitter