Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Earth Leakage Trips On All Circuits

  1. #1
    Email problem
    Join Date
    Jan 2022
    Location
    Pretoria
    Posts
    3
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Earth Leakage Trips On All Circuits

    I came across an earth leakage which trips on whichever circuit I switched on.

    With only the Main breaker and the earth leakage switched on, the earth leakage stays on and operates normally when the test button is pressed. However when I switch on any of the other circuits ( plugs, lights, ect.), the unit trips. I replaced the Earth leakage and the same problem persists.

    Any idea what the problem might be?


  2. #2
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Fourways
    Posts
    761
    Thanks
    119
    Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts
    Hello

    Is this a new DB or an existing one that now has this tripping issue ?

    Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Platinum Member Derlyn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    East london
    Posts
    1,513
    Thanks
    106
    Thanked 146 Times in 139 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Elec-JP View Post
    I came across an earth leakage which trips on whichever circuit I switched on.

    With only the Main breaker and the earth leakage switched on, the earth leakage stays on and operates normally when the test button is pressed. However when I switch on any of the other circuits ( plugs, lights, ect.), the unit trips. I replaced the Earth leakage and the same problem persists.

    Any idea what the problem might be?

    Neutral - earth fault.

    Turn off the main breaker.
    Measure resistance between neutral and earth. Chances are 80% that they are touching somewhere.

    Peace out .. Derek Stuart.

  4. Thanks given for this post:

    Dylboy (05-Jan-22)

  5. #4
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Germiston, South Africa
    Posts
    397
    Thanks
    24
    Thanked 47 Times in 43 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Derlyn View Post
    Neutral - earth fault.

    Turn off the main breaker.
    Measure resistance between neutral and earth. Chances are 80% that they are touching somewhere.

    Peace out .. Derek Stuart.
    I agree, many times I found that the fault was inside of a light fitting where the collection of neutral wires had burned at the connection point and was touching onto Earth.

    Sent from my SM-A705FN using Tapatalk
    To make a mistake is human, to learn from that mistake is knowledge and knowledge is strength.

  6. Thanks given for this post:

    Derlyn (06-Jan-22)

  7. #5
    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    3,486
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 695 Times in 593 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    What I have done in the past, is to switch all the circuit breakers off.
    Then with a multimeter set on Ohms, I check each switched off "Live" (Load) side of the circuit breaker to earth.
    Once I find the circuit which has a resistance reading.
    I then proceed to maintain the meter connected to the offending circuit, then remove one Neutral wire at a time from the bus bar.
    Once I find the Neutral that is causing the issue, I then proceed to identify where the circuit is, or if that is a mixed circuit, I will identify it by switching all the other breakers on, and check around the site to see what is not working.
    Then proceed from there.

    On most occasions, I have found humidity or water in a junction box on a wall where there has been a badly made connection, or that has been badly insulated from the elements
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

  8. Thanks given for this post:

    Derlyn (06-Jan-22)

Similar Threads

  1. [Question] Earth leakage trips everytime loadshedding ends
    By rodga in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 47
    Last Post: 21-Apr-22, 04:28 PM
  2. Earth leakage unit trips at 15mA
    By Dave A in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-May-17, 01:45 PM
  3. Earth leakage trips then stops.
    By Boeriemore in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 21-Dec-13, 04:08 PM
  4. Earth leakage trips when it's raining - pool pump unit the cause.
    By Boeriemore in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 29-Nov-13, 04:25 PM
  5. Earth leakage trips at night??
    By Jongseun in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 18-Jun-12, 10:47 PM

Tags for this Thread

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •