Power cut trips breaker - freezer defrosts!

[Poovard]

Often when we have a power cut, the fuse board circuit breaker trips.

While this isn't much of an issue while we are in the apartment, it sometimes happens when we are away for a couple of days and the fridge/freezer defrosts.

Has anyone used self healing circuit breakers or have some other sort of solution to this rather annoying problem? I can't be the only one to have experienced this.

Thanks,
Mike

[TAC]

What are type B, type C, and type D circuit breakers?
How do you select the right MCB or RCBO?
Type B devices are designed to trip at fault currents of 3-5 times rated current (In). For example a 10A device will trip at 30-50A. Type C devices are designed to trip at 5-10 times In (50-100A for a 10A device). Type D devices are designed to trip at 10-20 times In (100-200A for a 10A device).

You have most likely have a type b breaker I would swap this for a type c breaker will make it harder to trip on a surge of power

[thornaby]

The defrost system is normally a heating element that is fastened to the evaporator coils inside the fridge. These usually just plug in so it could be worth unplugging it to see if the fault clears. It's unclear from your post if its the mcb or the rcd that is tripping. Trips are usually the rcd which turns off all the electric.

[Poovard]

Thank for the comments. I probably wasn't clear enough with the terminology.

The board has 11 circuit breakers and a main RCCB switch.

The breakers are all labelled SAYPORT with a C prefix, C16, C32 etc. So I assume they are already type C.

Its actually the main RCCB that trips, not the circuit breakers.

The RCCB is labelled MEGASAN 300ma 63a and it's that that trips, not the circuit breakers.

Its a crabtree board, just like the ones in the UK. Approx 15 years old.

The freezer only defrosts because the power remains off. There is no defrost function at play.

I was assuming the problem was power fluctuations when the supply is restored that was tripping the RCCB. Hence the question whether others have seen similar issues and fixed them?

Seeing that no-one else seems to be having the problem, then maybe it's a fault in the house or a faulty RCCB.

Thanks
Mike.

[TAC]

A RCCB has a life span of between 10 years to 25 years maybe change it first if it still carries on, then it might be a minor neutral to earth fault somewhere in your wiring.

[Keithcaley]

Poovard - it is possible that the RCCB is 'over-sensitive'...

I had a problem where the RCCB in the Garage would trip during Lightning storms - turning of the Garage freezer in the process!

The RCCB in the house was never affected by Lightning, and when I compared the two, I found that the Garage one had a lower 'trip level'.

I replaced it with one of the same type as the one in the house, and I've never had an issue since.

For reference: -

House RCCB trip level 300mA

Garage RCCB trip level 30mA

Note that I am not advocating any particular course of action, just relating my own experience.

You should consult a qualified electrician regarding the suitability of your own installation.

[Poovard]

Thanks again.

I'll investigate getting the RCCB replaced.