Power trips when load-shedding ends

[krieg]

Not too sure, but it does have an Earth leakage button underneath? Please see pic.

It’s an old house with one plug point per room. Study has two computers plugged in and various laptop chargers. Bedroom has 55” TV and two consoles. Lounge a 65” and 32” TV with one console.

Could these be leading to overloading due to one plug point per room? Even though they’re off when power comes back on?

Looks like there are five plug breakers. I think I’ve tried switching them off and then on again and they don’t cause the main breaker to trip.

Seems to only happen most of the time after load-shedding ends and power comes back on. Or most of the time when plugging in computers and laptop chargers... It’s temperamental in sometimes it doesn’t trip.

What’s the power isolator? The main breaker?

Please see pic.

Looking at your board it seems only your plugs and lights have earth leakage protection. Your geyser, stove and oven is not protected. You don't seem to have too many devices connected to cause more than 30ma leakage which is standard for a domestic unit. The only way to know for sure is to measure the amount of leakage occurring which you need expensive test equipment for. I would recommend you do a board change and add another earth leakage unit for the unprotected devices. If you had alterations done to the original electrics it might be that you have a neutral shared with an unprotected device but this would cause a lot more tripping. I would replace the earth leakage first and see what happens.

 

[Geoff.D]

The only way to know for sure is to measure the amount of leakage occurring which you need expensive test equipment for

No not so. There are very simple units available for testing this sort of thing.



We are not talking of the R 10 000 and up units that supposedly can even isolate the exact problem! This is a simple single-phase installation, does not require a 3 phase tester that can tell you what underpants you had on last week. this simple device and a bit of brain exercise does everything those R 10 k units do.

 

[krieg]

No not so. There are very simple units available for testing this sort of thing.

View attachment 1036114

We are not talking of the R 10 000 and up units that supposedly can even isolate the exact problem! this simple device and a bit of brain exercise does everything those R 10 k units do.

I'm familiar with those but it doesn't measure the electricity leakage occurring simply the trip time of the unit. With the expensive ones one can for instance turn the appliances on one for one to see if there is a significant amount of leakage occurring, also they usually leave it connected for a few days to see if and when spikes occur. But for that price I would simply add another one or two earth leakage units and split the load more evenly. OP would need to get an electrician anyway just to test the insulation of the wires as 50 years is a long time and material degrades and even screws become loose from the heat cycles causing shorts which can explain leakage occurring in some instances.

 

[quovadis]

Another possibility... if you have any low voltage / modern lightbulbs - they sometimes become intermittently faulty and cause your earth leakage to trip at random times when switched on. Had this issue in a previous home and turned out to be one of those bulbs.

 

[Geoff.D]

I'm familiar with those but it doesn't measure the electricity leakage occurring simply the trip time of the unit. With the expensive ones one can for instance turn the appliances on one for one to see if there is a significant amount of leakage occurring, also they usually leave it connected for a few days to see if and when spikes occur. But for that price I would simply add another one or two earth leakage units and split the load more evenly. OP would need to get an electrician anyway just to test the insulation of the wires as 50 years is a long time and material degrades and even screws become loose from the heat cycles causing shorts which can explain leakage occurring in some instances.

Yes all valid, BUT AFTER some simple diagnostics first. My house is 40 years old and, there is NO deterioration in insulation anywhere. So, a few simple checks before going to all that expense is well worth it.

OP also indicated he wants to learn something in the process. The DB has seen a few CBs replaced, I am prepared to bet that he will find a loose connection or an incorrectly connected Neutral given that the DB appears to be split between non-protected and protected circuits.

 

[capd]

All very interesting! Lots of reading up to do.

LS has just hit and I’ve turned off all plug breakers and both geyser breakers. Let’s see.

@quovadis Yes, we have a few CFL lights, 2x LED WiFi bulbs, and 2x DC LED desk lamps. But the tripping was happening long before acquiring these.

 

[capd]

Power back on, and it didn’t trip...

Put geyser back on, no trip.

I then put each plugs breaker back on, right to left, and the one on the left tripped the power.

Where to from here guys? Find out which circuit the left one is and which devices are connected to it? Good news is that it’s not the study or bedroom where there are quite a few devices.

 

[Geoff.D]

Power back on, and it didn’t trip...

Put geyser back on, no trip.

I then put each plugs breaker back on, right to left, and the one on the left tripped the power.

Where to from here guys? Find out which circuit the left one is and which devices are connected to it? Good news is that it’s not the study or bedroom where there are quite a few devices.

Unplug all devices connected to that circuit and then push breaker up. No trip then a little more certainty about the wiring. Now plug in only one device at a time to see if it isn't any specific device.
Or a specific wall socket or multiplug.

 

[rodga]

Power back on, and it didn’t trip...

Put geyser back on, no trip.

I then put each plugs breaker back on, right to left, and the one on the left tripped the power.

Where to from here guys? Find out which circuit the left one is and which devices are connected to it? Good news is that it’s not the study or bedroom where there are quite a few devices.

What was the outcome? Have you resolved you issue yet?
I have a similar issue, but only occurs when load shedding ends and power is restored, then my EL trips.
I am going to split the EL load to run two of them and hoping that this will solve the issue. The original EL was replaced a few months ago as the electrician suspected it may be faulty, but there was no change. If not it may be that incoming supply is causing the issue where it was recommended to install trip connect unit or relay type device that will only turn on a few mins after power is restored.

 

[longboy]

Get your electrician friend beers/a bottle and chow. Ask him to spend some time having a look.

Electricity and inexperience is something that does not go well together.

 

[rodga]

Get your electrician friend beers/a bottle and chow. Ask him to spend some time having a look.

Electricity and inexperience is something that does not go well together.

I wish I had friends, let alone electrician friends lol

 

[longboy]

I wish I had friends, let alone electrician friends lol

Most humans are social animals i.e. they feel the need to be around other people. It's natural.

Then there's us, who hate people and only love sex, drugs and thrills.

 

[capd]

What was the outcome? Have you resolved you issue yet?
I have a similar issue, but only occurs when load shedding ends and power is restored, then my EL trips.
I am going to split the EL load to run two of them and hoping that this will solve the issue. The original EL was replaced a few months ago as the electrician suspected it may be faulty, but there was no change. If not it may be that incoming supply is causing the issue where it was recommended to install trip connect unit or relay type device that will only turn on a few mins after power is restored.

Not sure I'm afraid. Landlord sold and we moved next door temporarily. Despite vaguely knowing the new owners, we never heard a peep. But I'm sure it was still an issue based on the testing I did. And I never got to replacing the EL.

No issues at our new house, but still need to plug in my computer and a few other bits and pieces. Doubt they will cause any problems though.