RCD (Residual Current Device)
ANSWER
RCD's (otherwise know as ELCB's) are protective switches that "sense" the amount of current in the phase and and neutral, if there is an imbalance then it can only be going to earth through an appliance or person and trip or switch off immediately.
These are required in bathrooms and outside power poweroutlets, most new houses will have a minimum of two RCD's protecting the entire house except for the hot water cylinders and some other fixed appliances.
If the RCD 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.
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