RCCB Tripping Problems and How to Fix Them

Residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) play a vital safety role, constantly monitoring current flow. If RCCB detects any leakage to the ground, it quickly trips to prevent potential electric shocks. However, faulty wiring or equipment can also trigger nuisance RCCB trips that disrupt power flow. Here are the common RCCB tripping issues and solutions.

• Moisture, damaged wiring, and faulty appliances cause trips
• Resetting the breaker, testing wiring, and replacing cords may fix
• RCCBs must be periodically tested to ensure safe operation

When an RCCB breaker suddenly trips for no apparent reason, it usually indicates one of several underlying problems. Pinpointing the root cause takes some investigation but will lead to the appropriate remedy.

Why RCCBs Trip

Here are a few reasons why an RCCB might trip:

1. Moisture Causing Ground Faults

One of the most common reasons for unexpected RCCB trips is moisture-creating resistance leaks in wiring, also called ground faults. This water intrusion happens more frequently in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and outdoor circuits. Ground faults anywhere along the hot, neutral, or grounding wires can activate the RCCB.

Locating and drying wet wiring, outlets, or junction points usually resolves these leakage trips. Improving ventilation or sealing outdoor conduits prevents recurrence. If moisture damage is too severe, the affected cables need replacement.

2. Damaged Supply Wiring

Frays, nicks, loose terminals, and deterioration in power supply cables can also allow current to leak to the ground over time. Like plumbing, electrical wiring wears out. As insulation breaks down, previously minor leaks become RCCB trip events.

These faults often happen at splice points, connections, and staple points along the cable run. Carefully inspecting the wiring and re-terminating frayed sections fixes many leakage issues. Heavily damaged older wiring ultimately requires upgrades.

3. Faulty Connected Equipment

Any appliances and tools connected to RCCB-protected circuits can also develop internal ground faults and trigger breaker trips. As components age and wear internally, leakage current increases until the RCCB threshold is reached.

Isolating and testing higher-risk equipment like power tools, pumps, washing machines, and portable air conditioners locates faulty units. Repair or replacement resolves the tripping once the leaking device is discovered.

How to Solve RCCB Tripping?

When an RCCB trips unexpectedly, always visually scan for smoking devices or sparks indicating a serious short. If found, shut off power at the main breaker before investigating. However, if no physical risks are evident:

1. Reset RCCB Switch – Clear any temporary trips by flipping the switch fully off then on again. See if the breaker now holds steadily without instantly re-tripping.
2. Inspect Wiring – With power off, carefully check all accessible cabling for damage, moisture or loose terminals that need repair. Target higher probability areas like bathrooms first before general circuits.
3. Unplug Devices – If wiring looks sound, systematically unplug appliances on the circuit and reset RCCB after each. Narrow down to find any faulty equipment causing the trips.
4. Call Electrician – If trips persist despite above steps, contact a qualified electrician to thoroughly test wiring using specialized leakage current meters and fault locators. Some very intermittent faults require advanced diagnostics.

Periodically Testing RCCBs

RCCBs themselves can also malfunction over time. Regular manual testing ensures the breaker still trips reliably below 30 milliamps of ground leakage. Simply pressing the included test button verifies proper operation – breakers should cleanly disconnect without hesitation. If no trip occurs, the RCCB must be replaced.

Conclusion

Fast-tripping RCCBs provide essential shock protection. But when they activate unexpectedly, some thoughtful DIY troubleshooting can often reveal the real culprits like moisture, damaged wiring or faulty appliances. Restoring continuous safe power flow begins with identifying the source of the leakage current causing the trips.

To get the highest-quality RCCB that will last for years, contact TOSUNlux today!