Leakage current on installations with solar

This one has been interesting. The solar put so many doubts in my mind, as I
have zero practical knowledge, but its been good to learn that it will not  really cause or
add to the issues mentioned if isolated.

In my mind I had an image of the array being constantly energised, and any connected conductors
possibly inducing current onto the earthing system.
But further reading suggests why  that will not happen

But as pointed out, it was a more likely to be a basic issue, a some screw or mouse or such.
Any yes finding it is going to be a PITA. Im not sure I will, without destructive works, and thats all guesswork.

This could have been a fault since install (10 years ish)

The actual fault I was looking for  was an RCD tripping, I suspected straight away the Hot tap.
This was an intermittent fault,  but has since become near enough instantaneous, so that one is sorted

But since the board was a 16th edition and only partially RCD protected, and as pointed out the the benefits of
leakage test. I might of missed this potentially greater danger, without an Earth leakage clamp, as I would have been concentrating on the RCD side.

Thank you for the great advice.

It could have been a fault since first installation, but it would have made the installation cert and the IR values for that circuit interesting. By which I mean fraudulent ! Not completely unknown of course, 

Id be looking to guesstimate the route and after looking  behind boxes, to  look for shelves or anything else that screws or in that may have been added over the years -perhaps even floor boards that have  been nailed to de-squeak them

I have been known to run a new CPC or whole new T and E in trunking and abandon short lengths with faults that cannot be found - its often quicker - certainly all the detective skills will be needed. Don't assume that the fault is not a bit further than you think - not all cable has the maximum resistance, and not all meters round their readings down rather than up in the way you might expect.

you should also be able to measure the NE resistance from a few light fittings, and see it getting higher further away from the other side of the fault.

As a quick temporary check that there is not a second fault lurking, and only if  we are very sure that the supply polarity is correct, you could put the lights CPC under the same screw as its neutral, and confirm that all the weird leakage current effects in the meter tails are indeed greatly reduced, This would at least mean that lights fault was the only remaining problem. If you do that test, don't leave it like that though !

Mike

It could have been a fault since first installation, but it would have made the installation cert and the IR values for that circuit interesting. By which I mean fraudulent ! Not completely unknown of course, 

Id be looking to guesstimate the route and after looking  behind boxes, to  look for shelves or anything else that screws or in that may have been added over the years -perhaps even floor boards that have  been nailed to de-squeak them

I have been known to run a new CPC or whole new T and E in trunking and abandon short lengths with faults that cannot be found - its often quicker - certainly all the detective skills will be needed. Don't assume that the fault is not a bit further than you think - not all cable has the maximum resistance, and not all meters round their readings down rather than up in the way you might expect.

you should also be able to measure the NE resistance from a few light fittings, and see it getting higher further away from the other side of the fault.

As a quick temporary check that there is not a second fault lurking, and only if  we are very sure that the supply polarity is correct, you could put the lights CPC under the same screw as its neutral, and confirm that all the weird leakage current effects in the meter tails are indeed greatly reduced, This would at least mean that lights fault was the only remaining problem. If you do that test, don't leave it like that though !

Mike