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Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Our Insinkerator is triggering the fuse containing the plugs - is it time for a new one?
turtleattacks

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#277397 13-Oct-2020 10:10
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Hi guys, 

 


Our Insinkerator is about ten years old and recently it has been triggering the house fuse that contains all the plugs. (i.e lights still operating)  

 

Last time it did it, I had just flicked the fuse back and it was all fine but today the fuse would switch it self straight off unless I had unplugged the Insinkerator. 

 

Is it time for a new one since this ten year old monster needs replacing? 




----

 

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Mehrts
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  #2583827 13-Oct-2020 18:57
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That's a Residual Current Device (RCD) which protects multiple downstream circuits hence the 63A rating.

 

It's designed to detect very small traces of electrical current flowing to earth (30mA). When it does detect too much current, then it trips, disconnecting whatever circuits are being fed from it.

 

Basically your home circuit goes: Main cable in -- Main Switch -- RCDs -- Individual circuit breakers -- Power points/lights etc.

 

Usually RCDs are fitted to prevent small problems from becoming big problems, especially with equipment used in or around wet areas.

 

Since the RCD feeds many other circuits, there's even the potential that something else is the culprit, but if you can disconnect the Insinkerator, and the RCD doesn't trip, then that's most likely the issue.

 

I'd say that the Insinkerator itself isn't drawing too much current, since none of the individual circuit breakers have tripped, but that there's a small path to earth somewhere internally which is tripping the RCD. Moisture causes this.

 

I'd get it checked out, or replace it.

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