Hi all, I need a bit of help with the electric side of things. My fridge works great on gas and did on 240v until now at least. When I plugged it in today to the shed (15A GPO) using my usual van cord it tripped the house RCD. Never did before but thought the electrical masters here may be able to provide some insight. No I won't do it myself but just checking to ask what to check before I call the sparky in as it may be something minor, though with my luck it will cost squillions. I did check with a little gadget that shows via lights if the GPO is wired correctly and it is (and always was)> Everything else Microwave shaver, TV etc. work ok
Pete
-- Edited by Pete49 on Thursday 2nd of January 2014 09:14:35 PM
just on the face of what you have typed I would say the 230v element has failed and likely shorted to earth in the process. Replacement elements can be from around $130-$220 depending on the fridge model.
Are you certain the RCD tripped or was it an overload trip?
Other than removing some connections to test the element in isolation there is probably not much you can do with it. A sparky who knows caravan fridges will be able to work it out pretty quickly.
frank
-- Edited by KFT on Thursday 2nd of January 2014 10:45:57 PM
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Avagreatday.
Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
Hi Peter It trips out even with the GPO turned off basically as soon as I plug it in. Yes I have a multimeter and know how to use it :). I have a spare element in a fridge of the same model if it comes to that. just to allay minds I don't play with anything over 30V DC electronic locks etc. in my trade of locksmith (ret.) 240V AC is left to those that play with it professionally I just like to know the cause as if it happens again I can contact a sparky and inform him what my problem ma be so he can bring the appropriate gear. Its helped in many other facets of my life
The fridge was possibly never designed to run through an RCD..
Chances are its just moisture built up, condensation.. ??
My spa and outside fridge does this if left off for sometime...
I just plug it into air conditioning circuit
overnight and comes good..
Where there's no RCD..
Hi Peter It trips out even with the GPO turned off basically as soon as I plug it in. Yes I have a multimeter and know how to use it :). I have a spare element in a fridge of the same model if it comes to that. just to allay minds I don't play with anything over 30V DC electronic locks etc. in my trade of locksmith (ret.) 240V AC is left to those that play with it professionally I just like to know the cause as if it happens again I can contact a sparky and inform him what my problem ma be so he can bring the appropriate gear. Its helped in many other facets of my life
Cheers
Pete
HI
I assume you are saying it trips the RCD as soon as you plug it in with the GPO SWITCHEd on ,but the FRIDGE switched OFF????
That would indicate a leakage either at the plug or within the fridge itself ,But yes As KFT suggests best get an ELECTRIcIAN to look at it ,
Without Model # anything more would be just wild guessing!!
Old fridges, range hoods etc had this issue..Before RCD's became compulsory on all GPO's..
In any case get it checked out..
The connections could be reversed or major earth fault..
Thanks for the info supplied. I will now contact a man about a fridge and give him the basic info I have and let him earn his keep.
Thanks guys
As for not working with RCD it did last time I plugged it in and with normal summer temps of 35C-45C+ here and no rain for 6 weeks moisture is not likely the cause.
Pete
-- Edited by Pete49 on Saturday 4th of January 2014 11:33:32 PM
