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Ishan22 · Sep 2, 2012, 03:25 AM

Hello everyone!
Lately I have been having a reoccurring problem at home. We have very frequent power outages (about 3 hours a day). The building I live in has a backup generator for these times of the day. Over the past week every time we lose power the power from the generator comes on no problems, but when the electricity company power resumes the RCCB (RCD) in the house trips. At this point simply flipping the RCD switch resumes power no problems. Problem occurs during brief power outages too (i.e. power goes off and RCD trips when it comes on again, generator not used)
It is not much of a problem when anyone is at home, however on weekdays the fridge ends up being off the entire day. Making it pretty much useless.
I have had the building electrician in quite a few times but he is unable to understand the problem. He has suggested I switch the RCD to 3 pole Netural MCB to avoid the tripping. (House has a 3 phase connection, all three phase pass through RCD and then in to individual breakers)

tkrussell · Sep 2, 2012, 04:23 AM

Brownouts on a 3 phase system will often cause a RCD to trip.
If at all possible, replace the RCD with a non-RCD unit.

Ishan22 · Sep 2, 2012, 04:52 AM

Hi tkrussell thanks for replying. Sorry is this seems silly what is a brownout? Also this problem is occurring only in my apartment none of the others

tkrussell · Sep 2, 2012, 04:55 AM

Then the RCD is defective.

Ishan22 · Sep 2, 2012, 05:02 AM

The electrician has actually tried another RCD (same make) and the problem persisted. Another problem I have noticed not sure if they are linked is that when I connect my surge protector strip. The red LED light indicating a fault is dimly lit even when the socket switch is off. I have noticed this in all sockets in the house. Thanks a ton for responding.