Earth leakage trips

[Granville]

Good day everybody,
My name is Granville, I’m new to the group.
I have a big issue I think.
I’ve replaced all the 40+ year old circuit breakers in my house to the newer CBI types.
My earth leakage trips before I can put any plugs or lights on.
I’ve connected it correctly. From the isolator/main switch to the earth leakage, to the buzz bar to the neutral bar. I’ve disconnected all appliances from the plugs. It still won’t switch on.
I’ve connected the main power directly into the Main switch eliminating the earth leakage and it works, this does not seem to be the way it should be done.
What steps am I missing? what am I doing wrong?
The old main circuit breaker, was huge, I’m assuming it had a main switch and earth leakage built in
If this has been asked before please send me to the post and I’ll read it there.
Thanks for taking the time to read and assist
Granville

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Dear Granville, if you can post a picture of the db and wiring in the db it might help

There is various reasons why the earth leakage would trip. The most common one is something that is partially on earth leakage,. let me explain one of the wires go through the earth leakage and the second not. Both wires must go through the earth leakage, best practice,

Neutral touching the earth can also be a problem,

If you disconnect everything from the neutral and only have two wires coming from the mains into the earth leakage does it trip then?
Sometimes the neutral coming in goes to a neutral bar that runs all the neutrals that is not on earth leakage, the neutral from the earth leakage must not go to this neutral bar.
Also if you are not qualified as an electrician, get an electrician to help you out!

Greetings and good luck

[GCE]

The old main circuit breaker, was huge, I’m assuming it had a main switch and earth leakage built in

Think your assumption may be wrong - Sounds like you did not previously have an earth leakage unit .

Rather get an electrical contractor to test and rectify

[Thys LOW Elektries]

The old Heineman and Fuchs breakers had a 60Amp earth leakage as a mains, with overload protection. We still have a couple of them here by us. Also the lights were normally not on earth leakage since the old 5 foot ballast lights caused nuisance tripping.
Many reasons why the earth leakage can trip.
Best advice, get a good qualified electrician. I know they come at a price but is worth every cent, alot cheaper then a burned down house!