ELCB's, (Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers) or RCD (Residual Current Device)
ANSWER
ELCB's (otherwise know as RCD's) are protective switches that "sense" the amount of current in the phase and neutral, if there is an imbalance then it can only be going to earth through an appliance or person. Imbalance causes the RCD/ELCB to trip or switch off immediately.
These are required in bathrooms and outside power power outlets, most new houses will have a minimum of two ELCB's protecting the entire house except for the hot water cylinders and some other fixed appliances.
If the ELCB keeps tripping there could potentially be a life threatening fault on the circuits covered by the RCD, you can call an Electrician or follow these quick fault finding tips.
1. Disconnect all appliances that are not working while the RCD is off. Thes may not be obvious, remember fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and waste disposers can all be plugged into the circuit.
2. The RCD usually is grouped with three other MCBs on the switchboard, turn these MCBs off and reset the RCD. If it stays on OK then start to reset one of the MCBs at a time, if each stays on try the next until the RCDtrips again. This is the circuit that is affected withthe fault..
3. If there are no appliances plugged in then call us.
Contact us through our "Ask a Question" page if you'd like to know more.
ELCB - Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker
RCD - Residual Current Device
Contact us through our "Ask a Question" page if you'd like to know more.