WHY DOES AN RCD TRIP?

WHY DOES AN RCD TRIP?

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a safety device designed to quickly disconnect electrical circuits when it detects a current imbalance between the live and neutral conductors.  The primary purpose of an RCD is to prevent electric shocks and reduce the risk of electrical fires.

Sometimes your RCD might be switching off its own power, which is known as tripping.  It mostly trips when it detects a fault in the electrical circuit.  If the RCD is tripping too often it might be mostly because of a damaged appliance, on the brighter side, it confirms that your safety device is working properly.  Let’s look at a few reasons as to why does an RCD trip:

FAULTY APPLIANCES OR EQUIPMENT A malfunction or damage to an electrical device can cause a leakage or current, leading to an RCD trip.  This could be due to issues such as damaged insulation or a short circuit within the appliance.

WIRING ISSUES Faults in the electrical wiring, such as damaged insulation or loose connections, can create conditions for leakage current and cause the RCD to trip.

MOISTURE OR WATER EXPOSURE Water can conduct electricity, and if there is moisture or water ingress into electrical components or wiring, it can lead to a leakage current, triggering the RCD.

GROUND FAULT If there is a fault in an electrical appliance or the wiring of a circuit that allows current to leak to the ground, the RCD will detect the imbalance and trip to cut off the power.

AGING OR FAULTY RCD Like any electrical device, an RCD can deteriorate over time or develop faults. In such cases, the RCD itself may trip unexpectedly.

EXTERNAL FACTORS Sometimes, external factors such as lighting strikes or power surges can cause sudden imbalances in the electrical system, leading to an RCD trip.

RCD’s play a crucial role in electrical safety, and if they trip, it indicates a potential issue that needs to be addressed.

 

Contact our team of friendly and efficient electricians if you are experiencing RCD tripping and for all your electrical solutions.

www.ceqld.com.au