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Caravan RCD trip power connections

Dear all , a holiday question

I have an acquaintance who asks why his IET 18th Edition RCD tester when plugs it in to the Local RCD (<30mA/300mS) , the primary supply RCD trips (that is further up the AC supply line) , rather than the caravan’s, so in effect nullifying the test.

Is this because the Primary Supply RCD is monitoring a small standing current from other connections and the Local RCD needs to be tested by using the Local Earth at the unit ? ( which is not so easily accessible).

Are there any other thoughts please ?

Paul , Swindon LN IET.

0 Sparkingchip over 4 years ago

Talk about being a bit slow, the penny has just dropped.
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0 Sparkingchip over 4 years ago
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0 Sparkingchip over 4 years ago
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0 Sparkingchip over 4 years ago

It's dead easy with two test leads

Here's the adapter I made nearly twenty years ago to use with my check box.
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0 Sparkingchip over 4 years ago

Something like this plus a 13 amp extension lead with a couple of 13 amp tester leads and the caravan RCD can be tested without tripping the site installation RCD.
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0 gkenyon over 4 years ago

Sparkingchip:
Something like this plus a 13 amp extension lead with a couple of 13 amp tester leads and the caravan RCD can be tested without tripping the site installation RCD.

Yes, I like that approach.
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0 ebee over 4 years ago

I`ll admit to having a "test extension " consisting of a bog standard 13A plug at one end and a 13A socket at the other - the socket is is wired L & N as standard and a link from N to E. I would not let that unit out of my sight/control
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0 AJJewsbury over 4 years ago

gkenyon:
Sparkingchip:
Something like this plus a 13 amp extension lead with a couple of 13 amp tester leads and the caravan RCD can be tested without tripping the site installation RCD.

Yes, I like that approach.

Or for a caravan that normally has a 16A BS EN 60309 maybe something like this: https://www.martencables.co.uk/product/marten-pce-230v-16a-plug-to-2-x-16a-sockets-2-way-y-splitter-2-5mm-ho7rn-f-cable/ - with a 16A to 13A adaptor on one outlet, or even substitute a 13A trailing socket.

- Andy.
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0 gkenyon over 4 years ago

Still too expensive ... try this getup:

A fixed 16 A BS EN 60309-2 splitter plus a 16 A BS EN 60309-2 plug to BS 1363-2 free socket-outlet.

We're now at < £20 with no kit mods to do the job far more safely, which I think is the right ballpark.
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0 Sparkingchip over 4 years ago

Less is more ?
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Caravan RCD trip power connections

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