Howdy folks, the fridge keeps popping the consumer unit main RCB. Is there any way of testing the heating element to make certain it is at fault?
Other 2 systems are OK.
Thank you.
Tex Ritter
Fridge tripping the RCB when using 240volts.
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Tex Ritter
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Fridge tripping the RCB when using 240volts.
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DentedDevon
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Hi
The RCD should not trip if all the power going down the live wire is returning down the neutral wire.
If the RCD trips you have a fault , some of the power may be going to earth.
There are 2 common causes of this on a camper fridge.
1> water in the electrics - gets in if you have got carried away with the hose pipe near the fridge vents. It will dry out , leave it running on gas
2> breakdown of the insulation inside the heating element - new element required , fridge out job
To test the element disconnect both of its brown cables , then check for resistance from either of them to the earth cable or body of the heating element.
I think you will need your meter on at least the 200 k ohm setting , and it should read " 1 " ie open circuit (I'll check this tomorrow)
Hope this is helpful
The RCD should not trip if all the power going down the live wire is returning down the neutral wire.
If the RCD trips you have a fault , some of the power may be going to earth.
There are 2 common causes of this on a camper fridge.
1> water in the electrics - gets in if you have got carried away with the hose pipe near the fridge vents. It will dry out , leave it running on gas
2> breakdown of the insulation inside the heating element - new element required , fridge out job
To test the element disconnect both of its brown cables , then check for resistance from either of them to the earth cable or body of the heating element.
I think you will need your meter on at least the 200 k ohm setting , and it should read " 1 " ie open circuit (I'll check this tomorrow)
Hope this is helpful
1986 Devon Caravette, Subaru 2.5 Quad Cam
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Tex Ritter
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Thank you Richard, as the fridge is wired directly to the consumer unit I thought the fault is on the element.
I had it running continious for 2 days on 240volts prior to our trip, but when camped up it started to trip the site electrics, the site owner said we had a dodgy main RCB, I renewed the RCB and disconnected the fridge mains power, but I have not tried the fridge on 240v since. I just want to be prepared for when I check out the fridge.
Tex R
I had it running continious for 2 days on 240volts prior to our trip, but when camped up it started to trip the site electrics, the site owner said we had a dodgy main RCB, I renewed the RCB and disconnected the fridge mains power, but I have not tried the fridge on 240v since. I just want to be prepared for when I check out the fridge.
Tex R
If you never have a route planned ...how can you ever be lost?
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DiscoDave
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it is highly unlikeyly that the rdb had broken, but as you have changed it fingers crossed!
the fault is mostlikely a breakdown on the insulation on the wiring to the element! easyiest way to solve this is to strip off any loose insulation and if possible renew the wire, then where the insulation has crumbled off sleeve with heat shrink!
good luck
the fault is mostlikely a breakdown on the insulation on the wiring to the element! easyiest way to solve this is to strip off any loose insulation and if possible renew the wire, then where the insulation has crumbled off sleeve with heat shrink!
good luck