Electrical Help Please?

Question

We moved into this house a few months ago. Every day the electric goes off at least 4/6 times and every night. An electrician suggested we put in a new trip switch which we did. We have disconnected everything, then put items on one by one. We cannot find which one triggers the RCD. We have contacted EDF who have tested outside and can't find anything wrong. The computor has gone down while I have been writing this and I've had to start again. Has anyone got any ideas, we have had 2 electricians here who haven't a clue.

Answer 1

What do you do to get power back on?   Is the whole house,  all circuits affected,  or just some.?   Ok   if it is the  circuit breaker trips,  can you just    switch it back on  ...  I would try to eliminate circuits  oneby one,   Do you have any feeds going outside  .  to a shed  or pond or anything>?   if so disconnect them.  Outsides are subject to   problems,   A rat chewed mine...

Answer 2

The only suggestion I can offer is to find an electrician who does have a clue. But I suppose that's asking too much isn't it?

It certainly seems that there is a real problem needing sorted - i couldn't live like that - sorry I haven't been much help

Answer 3

Either damp in one of the ring mains (esp if tou have ouitside lights) or a faulty rcd/box. Any sparky should be able to test these!

Answer 4

Get a qualified electrician that will test and certify all your electrics.

Beware though he won't give you a certificate if your electrics are sub standard.

EXTRA:

Just read your extra info you may want to check the fridge / freezer for problems. It may seem to be working fine but could have a earth / neutral fault which would trip the RCD.

If you can try unplugging the fridge / freezer for a night and see if it still does it.

The Whole board sounds like it could be overloaded aswell may want to get that checked.

Answer 5

I know a little bit about electrics as I'm an Air Conditioning Engineer ,i would suggest putting a bigger capacity breaker or amp on the main electrical board,it seems that the circuit is pulling too many amps and tripping,try removing electrical devices on that circuit that pull alot of amps,or unplugging them all and re-connecting them one by one ,eventually you will find the device that is asking for too much (if you find it,get it tested as it may be faulty)

Answer 6

Ok, You are saying I believe that the RCD (main)? switch operates several times each day.

What main switch type is it? If it's RCD then is it:

30mA, 100mA, 100mA "S" (time delayed), 300mA / 500mA.

Or if it is the secondary (sockets& others) RCD which operates  

How many circuits are on it, what are they listed as?

EDIT:

Uncommon to have quite so many circuits on a single 30mA RCD. Were all other items actually unplugged overnight? Turning off at the wall may sometimes still permit n_e faults if the switch isn't double pole (or faulty)!

When the replacement RCD was put in, did you get a  certificate with IR (Insulation resistance ) readings?  (Should be stated on M.Ohms).

Answer 7

Probably a corroded or loose connection between the street and your house.  Have your local power company check the connection.  This happened to me once and to a friend's house as well.  Regular electricians do not check that connection.  

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