Preventing freezer defrosting when away - from fuse tripping

[gidon]

This is driving us nuts - since we've had a new fuse box (few years now) when a bulb goes for example the box trips. That's ok when we're around - we flick it back up.
But now for the second time coming back from a weekend away this has happened and the freezer contents have been ruined since we're not around to flick it on again!!
There must be something clever we can do to prevent this happening.
The electrician's checked things out and doesn't have any ideas!
Any help much appreciated!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[xraymtb]

Turn off the lights before you leave...

 

[OLD]

Have a split load box installed with the lights on the load with out the rcd protection.

 

[RogerS]

Have a split load box installed with the lights on the load with out the rcd protection.

Sorry, Old, but you can't do that now - 17th edition electrical regs.

Gidon...there might be a way around your problem but need to know a bit more such as how the final circuits are fed from your consumer unit. For example, are all your circuits fed from the RCD?

 

[OLD]

OK a dedicated lower trip current rcd to serve the lights ,so that this will trip first before takeing the master rcd and killing all circuits.

 

[Mcluma]

OK a dedicated lower trip current rcd to serve the lights ,so that this will trip first before takeing the master rcd and killing all circuits.

I have about 8 rcd's installed, all my socket rings and lighting rings are on seperate rcd, this is better and also used on the main land

You might need a bigger box though to get them all in, there is just to much load on your rcd, and it makes it easier to trip

 

[RogerS]

OK a dedicated lower trip current rcd to serve the lights ,so that this will trip first before takeing the master rcd and killing all circuits.

I understand what you're saying but the truth of the matter is that any changes such as putting in a different RCD (always assuming that it is possible with his consumer unit) is going to make him run foul of Part P.

With the 17th edition, we're going to see a whole lot more of these problems since (unless the cables are mechanically protected which in the average house is not likely) then all circuits are going to need to be fed from RCDs.

So two RCDs will become the norm, I reckon, with the circuits split so that upstairs lights are fed from the same RCD as the downstairs ring and vice versa. This means that now when the upstairs lightbulb goes, it will most likely trip your RCD...the one that's also feeding your downstairs ring and likely your freezer. The only sure way is to have a dedicated freezer circuit fed from its' own RCBO but then that starts to up the costs.

 

[OLD]

You lost me there RogerS he has a electrician so they can change the design and sign it off no part p problem and my suggestion keeps all ccts. with rcd protection to latest reg. requirements, its just double protection on the cct that is giving problems. As to if it will work fast enough we will have to wait and see.

 

[gidon]

Actually just checked and don't think lights are on RCD - they are on other side of box. But box still trips.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[OLD]

gidon Ask you electrician to check that the neutral wires are on the correct buss bar if your lights are mcb protected only, if they are on the rcb buss bar they will trip the rcd

 

[gidon]

Ok thanks OLD will do - need to get him back in anyway.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Digit]

As I assume the light were not left on during the period you were away Gidon it would seem logical that the fault lies elsewhere.
The freezer it self perhaps?

Roy.

 

[gidon]

Roy
Was just wondering about that last night. When we're in the house with lights on - a bulb going is what usually trips fuse box. But as you say that's not it when we away so more of a mystery.
But surely something must exist for freezers that prevent this sort of thing happening? It was very bad weather when we were away - thunderstorms have tripped the box before. We can't be the only people who've come back to a defrosted freezer!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Digit]

From your address Gidon I guess that like me you are in a rural area and as a consequence lightning strikes taking out the RCD are something we simply have to accept.
But unless you have some evidence of an external problem I would suggest that the problem is internal. If external and widespread your neighbours will have been affected also.
Meantime I'm afraid you will have to work on a process of elimination by unplugging all other electrical items, leaving just the freezer in operation and see what happens.
I'm assuming that it is the RCD that trips not the MCBs or fuses. There is nothing that will permit the freezer to run if it is the RCD that trips.
If it is the MCB that trips then some things can be done to alleviate the problem.

Roy.

 

[OLD]

gidon Your latest post changes things. if its random tripping especial during electrical storms then the first thing to check is the quality of your earth ( i suspect you have a earth rod connected to the box/earth strip and may be the feed cable) this can be tested and has a spec. Sorting random trips is a job for a experienced electrician there are a number of possible causes

 

[RogerS]

.....
But surely something must exist for freezers that prevent this sort of thing happening? ......
Cheers
Gidon

Yup...separate circuit fed from an RCBO