Electricity problem...

Have 5 differentials. One clicked off this morning and will not stay on even when the 5 trip switches it is connected to are switched off ?  None of the switches tripped to show what caused the problem

Obviously have phoned a Spanish electrician but it is in the lap of the Gods when he might be able to come. So in the meantime anyone any idea what the problem might be .

cheers

Try to establish which sockets, switches, lights etc. are protected by the fuse which is tripping. Then unplug or disconnect  all  of those.  When there is no load on the affected fuse it should stay up.  If it does, try reconnecting the disconnected appliances.  The defective one should trip the fuse.

None of the switches tripped to show what caused the problem  

I understand that unlike UK installations, usually all negatives are connected together thus, unlike UK, you don’t get just one fuse tripping when there is a defect  in a particular circuit

( I have a sketch plan which I drew up stuck on the inside of the fuse box which shows which sockets are protected by which fuse),

Have 5 differentials. One clicked off this morning and will not stay on even when the 5 trip switches it is connected to are switched off ?  None of the switches tripped to show what caused the problem

A differential in Spain is a device that measures earth leakage within the installation and trips off if the leakage is to great - the device is normally situated after the first main switch and before the circuit breakers. As the circuit breakers have not tripped it would appear you have an earth leakage problem.

Johns advice below is sound and will detect the fault if it is with something that is plugged in - so first unplug everything including tumble dryers, washing machines and fridge freezers - anything that uses an element is a prime suspect.

If that don't solve it your electrician will disconecct the five earth wires that serve the effected circuits and by a proccess of elemination get to the problem that way

Thx guys.. First thing we did was unplug everything we could see. Unfortunately have ducted aircon units and some down lighters the plugs of which are well hidden in the false ceiling.

Then we individually switched on and off the 5 trip switches but none would permit the differential to stay in situ.

Plus 2 other posers

1,The aircon in area where everything has gone down is working whilst other end of the house everything is working ,except, the aircon .

2, Have a double socket ..one half of which is working !!  One is not !!!  This double socket is used for heating the water and this is listed one of trip switches involved.

Not an emergency but an urgent one ...and still zilch news from our Spanish electrician.

Not quite sure what earth leakage is....will look it up...but seems that could be our problem.

cheers

2, Have a double socket ..one half of which is working !!  One is not !!!  This double socket is used for heating the water and this is listed one of trip switches involved.

This needs to be looked at first! not even the Spanish would take two circuits to one double socket (would they)!! 

Assuming you have unplugged the water heater and tried it? Maybe the back of the socket just burned out by loose connection.

If you have switched off all the MCB's (trips) supplied by the ELCB (differential) and you cannot switch the ELCB back on again then there is a wiring fault or the ELCB is itself faulty.

Your electrician will probably sort it in seconds if it the the second case, but may take some time checking your wiring (or worse) if it is the first.

Electrician is coming at 9am tomorrow morning. So fingers crossed the problem is quickly and efficiently solved. Will let you know the outcome....

Certainly does team GB and have discovered with Spanish tradesmen ...anything....is possible.

Trying water heater plug in both sockets have since discovered the working socket is on a different differential to the one not working ( which presumably is socket for water heater as listed on this differential ) so guess he ran 2 single cables and the covered it with a double socket.

Well that's our theory..at the moment.

...

Hi Floella

Let us know the outcome - be interested to know what was wrong 

if the rcd will not reset with all the circuit breakers switched off you have a neutral fault ? to check this or find the fault you would need to take the front of the consumer off ,if you are not confident leave it to an electrician ?

Problem sorted...whew.

Just need to know why differential stayed up for electrician and not when my husband tried...Is he losing his mojo ?.lol

It was  the socket we had highlighted . Wired seperately but covered by a double socket...just to confuse...still took almost 2 hours to repair and replace wires.....and the total  cost...€20.

Pleased you are sorted

Seems all the advice was correct.

If you have electrician problem, the you can call professionals.

SPANISH electrician from a professional Spanish Company used for initial installation and then to sort out the problem.....so what exactly is your point ElizabethCaba.....

I had similar problems, turned out to be damp behind a plug socket,

Floella   so what exactly is your point ElizabethCaba.....

It appears to be her first post,  so maybe we should give her a chance to settling.

That's a good reply coming from you johnzx...lol. 

A plug is the thing on the end of the lead from an appliance.

A socket is the thing on the wall into which you put the plug.

It seems some people these days think they have hermaphrodite equipment!

thing is with these 2 pin plugs you can plug them in upside down.......so how come a you can swop live and nuetral pins around without mishap. Where's the earth by the way ?