we have a problem in 10 yrs old house with tripping RCD circuits. Can’t trace by trial and error/ events and a guy at work suggested a tool you can get in B&Q that plugs into a socket and tells wether it’s wired up right.

Can anyone point me in right derection ? electrical luddite here!

45 quid mind you.

by cant trace by trial and error you have unplugged EVERYTHING on the ring thats tripping and plugged one item in at a time…. if it was all grand and suddenly started crapping it its highly likely its an appliance crapped out.

trail rat, thanks – its been doing it intermittently for years – seems worse in winter, but no pattern – can do it when we are lying in bed and all appliances off. Might try taking the faceplates off and checking for loose earths

you can get one for about a tenner. I use it for a double check if I’ve put everything back right and nothings come loose as its pushed back in.

must have worked as the electrics passed with flying colours when I had my consumer unit replaced.

or even less.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/ced-plug-in-socket-tester/76975

is it the same RCD every time ?

jam bo – many thanks, off to screwfix later !

Trailrat – yes, upstairs sockets – loads of them to go round though !

I’ve heard of this when the conductors at a socket (or a chocolate block joint buried in plaster) are in contact with a damp wall. During rain/winter/having a bath it can trip due to current leakage

Had similar with the upstairs lighting circuit. Back box had cut the insulation during fitting it seems so as it moved a little with temp. it would trip. Visual inspection with the circuit dead might be useful.