Circuit breaker help

theone8181

theone8181

theone8181

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27 Mar 2013
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Hi guys, one of my breakers has tripped for my ringmain (32A). There wasn't slot on when it went (PC and washing machine in me). However the breaker won't stay on and even when I hold it up (naughty I know but needed to test) nothing comes on. I assume this points to the breaker rather than something on the circuit? The only caveat is I changed 2 sockets on Friday on the ring but I've not had any issues up till now. The house is 24 hears old and I've had a lighting breaker replaced previously so I'm leaning towards age being the cause (I've flipped them a few times go change various sockets). I'm going to ring round a few Electricians tomorrow, but any other thoughts? I guess if my wrongs didn't, the new breaker would just trip as soon as its in place?
 
Unplug everything on the ring and try again, if it still trips then call a sparky.

If not then plug things back in one at a time until it trips again.
 
I've just got 2 fans to check upstairs. I'm slightly concerned I did something wrong with the sockets, but I'd have thought they would have tripped on Friday when I did the work. This is going to sound stupid but how can I tell the breakers working, I don't hear any noises when I try and flip it (there is a quiet click noise) but I'd expect to hear something, even if it was a short circuit.

Edit; everything off, so it's either the mcb or my wiring. I'd expect to see power for a split second even with a short.
 
They're quite sensitive so if there's a fault I wouldn't expect them to stay on at all.

You may have a loose connection in one of your sockets so I'd check there first. Could always swap the mcb with another from your fuse box if you're comfortable with that, would at least rule it out.
 
mine tripped once and the breaker wouldn't turn back on again until I turned them all off and the main power (red switch)
then the red back on and the rest one by one.

worth a shot.
btw breakers can go funny with age, had one of mine replaced because the kettle kept tripping it and it's been fine since.

sparky suggested the tolerance of the breakers change with age or something if I remember right
 
arknor said:
mine tripped once and the breaker wouldn't turn back on again until I turned them all off and the main power (red switch)
then the red back on and the rest one by one.

worth a shot.
btw breakers can go funny with age, had one of mine replaced because the kettle kept tripping it and it's been fine since.

sparky suggested the tolerance of the breakers change with age or something if I remember right
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So I unplugged washer and checked my wiring, all good so it must be the breaker. I don't mind changing it myself (with a bit of research) as currently we have no heating/hot water or washing machine (and more importantly gaming pc:D). I don't mind getting a spark in, however I've not had chance to ring yet (waiting for my Mrs to drag herself out of bed to distract the kids) and I'm not sure how quick they will be. I've seen some mcbs for sale at wicked (5 mins away) for 3 quid so the parts are peanuts (although not the same make, not sure if that matters).
 
I don't know if you are allowed to change them yourself, it might need to be certified by an electrician, so you should probably google and check the law.

they look dead simple to change though
 
arknor said:
I don't know if you are allowed to change them yourself, it might need to be certified by an electrician, so you should probably google and check the law.

they look dead simple to change though
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Good point, and if it's a different make it would look fairly obvious:p. I've text and electrician so will see what he says.

I've got a guy booked in for 10. Pretty quick service imo. My Mrs is now fretting how to pay him, apparently her flashing him is not an accepted form of currency. I reckon it shouldn't be more than 30 quid as parts are cheap and time wise it shouldnt take too long.
 
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MCBs are easy to change yourself, ive done a few where i wanted to add an circuit. Just screw onto the DIN bar, secure the wires, label it up and test the wiring.
 
robj20 said:
MCBs are easy to change yourself, ive done a few where i wanted to add an circuit. Just screw onto the DIN bar, secure the wires, label it up and test the wiring.
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I didn't think they were mega hard, it's just I wanted to get someone in in case there was a difference between mcbs.
 
Well you have the Type, typically B for domestic but you can use C if you have a high inrush. Other than that you can mix brands.
 
It's done now, he charged me 30 quid and used the same type and make, just a newer version of. He did mention that different makes can sometimes have the front part in a slightly different position relative to the din mounting at the back. He also mentioned it could have been the heating element, although the washer has since rum and has been fine. He did try to switch it when it was out the box and not connected but it wouldn't latch so obviously it was knackered, it's just whether something else caused it or it was just age. It might be slightly related to me having switched it off to change sockets as I know breakers aren't meant to be used often.
 
Well not sure obviously without looking at something myself but there id of done some basic testing to try find potential fault causing a trip.

I mean it could be the MCB was knackered but ultimately they trip for a reason elsewhere.

I’m not saying whoever did it wasn’t sure of this just hopefully they did fault find to their outcome.
 
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