[Davey Jones]

greenforgo, on 15 April 2012 - 03:48 PM, said:

wouldn't it be better to just get a rcbo (if you can get one to fit these boards) for upstairs ring + replace?

But he would be in the same boat as the circuit will still have the same earth leakage i.e over 30mA so the RCBO will just trip exactly the same as the old RCD

[greenforgo]

Davey Jones, on 15 April 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

But he would be in the same boat as the circuit will still have the same earth leakage i.e over 30mA so the RCBO will just trip exactly the same as the old RCD

Yeah, good point, you can get larger rcbo's but then prob. wouldn't be safe/meet spec.


So somethings gone wrong with the ballasts (as it was working previously)?

What about this as a possible short term fix, everything except one ballast on the usual sockets upstairs.

Then plug in a rcd extension reel from the cooker socket upstairs to the other ballast?

Bit rough and a trip hazard but wouldn't it share the leak current + therefore not trip out

GfG

[greenforgo]

scraglor, on 28 May 2008 - 05:07 AM, said:

an electronic ballast is more likely to trip an rcd than a magnetic vallast, but not an mcb. depends which you have in your fuse board. rcd's trip from currents running through the earth wire and electronic items leak a small amount of current to earth, more so than a normal ballast

For wan, a second opinion on why rcd is tripping. Earth leakage current is just another factor for an electrical design engineer. If you really want some info...zzzzz
http://www.marcspage....uk/pq/3333.htm

[greenforgo]

Wan, on 17 April 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

Hes been using same ballasts for while then started to trip, then replaced ballasts and still tripped, i dont think it sounds like installation is the problem to me it sounds like the circuit has a problem and rcd is doing its job.
I run 2 x600w digis and a 400w digi plus fans etc on my rcd without any problems.

Condensation is famous for tripping rcd's i get it at work quite alot.

I thought it may have been a water prob as macca did say he had a water leak prob a while back but he (i think) tested out the ballasts on the other ring main (which hopefully is totally dry), didn't realise it was with new ballasts though after the tripping problem occured again.

Hmmm, unless macca is unlucky to have got new faulty ballasts (that cause a similar problem to the old), then i suppose the rcd could be duff.

Could maybe try the ballasts in someone elses house + see if they trip out the rcd but i know that stealth could be an issue.



Even if you narrowed it to rcd + replaced it , you would still need to get it tested to make sure it is operating properly.

Maybe time to start thinking about calling a sparky out.

[maccafogo]

I have turned the lights down to 600 watts each and it only trips once every couple of days now which is more bearable.
I only have to go another 2-3 weeks and that room is going to be changed I have decided, so will be carrying out proper tests and using 4 x 600's instead as less heat and better light spread, just a loss in canopy penetration, but that's ok as I have designed a new system I would like to build which should beat or match Heaths Robinsons Tree system when complete, if its built correctly. Its funny how smoking certain strains can cause you to have some of the best ideas, its like sitting on the crapper

Thanks for all your info and advice on this guys much appreciated, some very knowledgeable folks on here

Peace.