G'day Stuart,

firstly is the extension lead disconnected when you did this test? if not you need to do that and test again.

secondly, make sure you have unplugged EVERY appliance such as fan forced oven, HWS, battery charger, microwave, fridge, TV.

this should only leave the air-con which will likely be hardwired.

what result do you get now?

it is possible there is a fault in the air-con or somewhere in the van. Have any items been screwed to walls recently?

we can work through it once you confirm the above.

frank

Check your Power Lead that is Plugged into the Van..

Has it gotten WET...?

And yes you do need to unplug everything....

Juergen

If you don't know what you are doing get an electrician.

 

Thanks all. Frank :- extension lead disconnected. All appliances disconnected. No item screwed in recently. We have had this problem for ages. We changed the circuit breaker, the tripping stopped for a while, but it has returned , now it is constantly tripping. 

Aus-Kiwi :- Range hood 12v . RCD in van. Not sure when you said check temp. If you mean wire, it's ambient .

Juergen:- Have tried several different power leads, my own and others.

Jim:- yes. 

Peter Q :- Did all the things you suggest, but don't get a chance to do the analytical stage because as soon as I turn the power on it trips. So I can't test individual appliances. 

 

Looks like  either a fault in the aircon or the wiring circuit? 

Stuart 

Thanks Stuart,

it looks like you will need an electrician to disconnect the air-con and do some fault finding. A caravan repair place would likely know a sparky with relevant caravan skills who can successfully find and fix the fault.

frank

Hi

The circuit you have between earth and neutral MAY be the MEN link. If this is in the caravan it shouldnt be (AS3001). So if you get a short between neutral and earth with ALL disconnected it may be this link. OR...

I had the same issue, if you have been running your airconditioner if its an aircommand ibis there is a fault when the holding tank fills with run off water, causes the RCD to trip. I had to isolate my aircon via a circuit breaker.

So, I strongly suggest you get a sparky to megger test the van, Im betting its the same aircon issue. Get the sparky to put a double gang 16C breaker as a new circuit for the aircon (pig of job).

Good luck

gooba53 wrote:

---

Thanks all. Frank :- extension lead disconnected. All appliances disconnected. No item screwed in recently. We have had this problem for ages. We changed the circuit breaker, the tripping stopped for a while, but it has returned , now it is constantly tripping. 

Aus-Kiwi :- Range hood 12v . RCD in van. Not sure when you said check temp. If you mean wire, it's ambient .

Juergen:- Have tried several different power leads, my own and others.

Jim:- yes. 

Peter Q :- Did all the things you suggest, but don't get a chance to do the analytical stage because as soon as I turn the power on it trips. So I can't test individual appliances. 

 

Looks like  either a fault in the aircon or the wiring circuit? 

Stuart 

---

 

Hi Stuart

 Just to be clear

The VAN RCD trips as soon as you turn the VAN main switch with power connected ???

IF ALL electical appliances are turned OFF AT their SWITCHES, It does indicate a wiring fault

But the Air con SHOULD also have it's own isolating switch, It should be possible to isolate it !!!!

A fault in the extension lead should NOT cause the VAN RCD to trip

Back to your continuity test with the multi meter  where did you do the actual test?? & did the meter beep continiously??

If it beeps continiously, it indicates a near dead short, not just a bit of water leakage

.There should not be a link between EITHER line & EARTH pin within the van IN AUS

NewZealand is different , yes ! 

Since you have has a similar problem before, I suggest a  full check up of all visable wiring  including. removing switches outlets etc  for inspection of wiring

Remember, Overload CBS & RCDs do not give full protection against fires

 

 

PeterQ

.

 

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 12th of September 2014 10:53:30 AM

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 12th of September 2014 10:57:53 AM

Most of the new vans I have seen have one RCBO that handles all the GPOs, aircon etc, to my surprise when I first got our van the aircon was hard wired to this RCBO and all other appliances via a GPO and plug set.

I very much doubt there is a MEN link in there as there is no place to put one. That was my bad oopppss....  thats what I get from opening my gob and putting both feet in....

None the less this is still very annoying and needs a fix for Stuart, I very much doubt its a cable fault.. but keeping an open mind.

Stuart, what breed of caravan is it and how old?

-- Edited by Phil C on Friday 12th of September 2014 10:50:53 AM

-- Edited by Phil C on Friday 12th of September 2014 10:55:26 AM

Phil:- haven't been running aircon, at all, for hot or cold air. 

Frank:- glad removing walls may be a bit down the track. Got son-in-law coming down next weekend so may have some more info  then? We have already had the RCD replaced so that shouldn't be the issue??? 

Peter:- yes, van trips as soon as I turn the van main switch on with power connected. I can't locate a separate aircon isolating switch.  Yes, meter beeped continuously. I took several power points off the wall and checked behind them. No loose wires, was checking continuity. I have been made aware now that the neutral and earth are connected at the RCD therefore the continuos beeping is explained. 

Stuart 

 

Stuart

you say: I have been made aware now that the neutral and earth are connected at the RCD therefore the continuos beeping is explained.

There should not be a deliberate connection between earth and "neutral" here.

frank

Gas hot water system.

Australian van. 

 

Thank you so much for such an interesting conversation everyone . It's really appreciated!! 

 

I think this is a bit beyond me, so I'll leave it to the experts. I'll let  you know how I go, but not taking van back till end of month. Will update you then. 

 

Thanks again!!   Regards Stuart 

 

 

 

 

Hi Phil
There should not be any link between either line & the earthing system in the VAN ,with Ausralian vans
Having one ,could lead to RCD tripping if the input polarity was incorrect .

New Zealand do have a rquirement for ALL vans to have a current cert of fitness
One of the requirements is to have correct polarity,including at ALL supply outlets
That also allows the use of SINGLE pole switching in NZ

In Aus, the polarity of 3pin sockets ,was not even a recommendtion for many many years .

I doubt it is the RCD as the problem has occurred before , but it can not be ruled out.
What I do suspect is an intermitent fault ,that has now become permanent.


PeterQ

I'm really hesitant to continue giving advice to members on rectifying faults in 240 volt installations. Apart from the fact it's illegal for unlicensed persons to work on 240 volt installations, there is always the danger of electrocution for the inexperienced.  My suggestion is have a Licensed Electrician look at the problem for you...

Stuart did mention his son in law is an electrician and he is going to look at the problem