iron problems

[scarymary]

hi abers, Problems with my iron every now and again when my iron is plugged in to the mains it "trips" the main box, this also happened with my previous iron does anyone know why this happens ????????/

[VINNY100_2]

Have you checked the plug ..touching/loose wires??scarymary(:)

[Jay70]

Hi scarymary,

Check the power cable to the iron or base unit and make sure the insulation has not been damaged causing the internal wires to short.

Jason

[shaun1230_3]

hi

the reason why this happens could be something to do with your rcd in the fuseboard, presuming it has one.

if this is the case check whether it is a 30ma rcd, if this is the case i would advise you get an electrician in to ascertain whether its too sensitive.

as irons work through rheostats constantly coming on and off it could cause the rcd to trip because of the difference in power surges between live and neutral.

[tony1941]

An RCD does not trip due to surges. It trips if there is an imbalance (greater than the RCD rating value) between the current in the live wire and the current in the neutral. That means the current is going somewhere else, i.e. to earth via a bad insulator or short circuit to earth. If it's a steam iron, there is probably a leak causing the internal wiring to be damp and this would definitely cause the tripping. Try drying the iron out completely for a few days, and then start again. If it persists, buy a new one.

[qapmoc]

Hi shaun1230, regarding your comment on 30mA rccd and sensitivity, note that for any equipment that may be touched and could become live, then a 30mA rccd is the maximum value which can/will protect you from death in the event of a fault, this value is based upon the average maximum current that a human body can withstand wihout heart arrest!!

In the event of nuisance tripping of an rccd never uprate it, find and fix the problem with the equiment.