Abz Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Hello Folks, Wanted to know if we have any electricans on the Supra forum? I have got a property in Barking & I am having a problem which seems like a electrical load balance issue, will need to be looked at tomorrow but was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or if any knew anyone in the London\East area who could assist. The problem is when you turn both the washing machine & the tumble dryer on, along with the normal house lights, after about 10 minutes or so it cuts the power in the whole house. So you then need to turn the power back on at the mains fuse box thingy. So you can tell I am rubbish with electrics! I have no idea what could be causing the trip. The kitchen does have 2 lights (splits into 3 seperate bulbs) they don't work and ideally I need them replaced as well at the same time. Can anyone help or give me suggestions of the issue above, could I maybe buy a larger amp plug thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Don't use washing machine and tumble dryer together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Don't use washing machine and tumble dryer together? Yep that first came to mind! But this tennant is doing my head in & I just want to sort this electrical issue out. I think this might be just the underlying issue, so most likely will need someone to have a proper look at it. I am getting rid of her anyway but she has lately been threatening me with legal action saying that it is not safe for it to do that. I've told her its recently started to happen so something must have changed. Though I like to get things sorted out as quickly as possible & hopefully get rid of her as quickly as possible too! She still owes me 2 months rent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky49 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 What rating is the fuse in amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 What rating is the fuse in amps. I know this is no help Ricky but I have no idea I'll be able to check tomorrow. What sort of information would be required? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 It's not easy to say without knowing how the consumer unit is made up and the type of circuits that it supplies. I wouldn't say there's anything you could do yourself, I could suggest numerous things that could be at fault but without having a look it would be totally pointless. You don't want to be uprating fuses/breakers if the circuits aren't capable of supplying the load. You'll have to get someone out to have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky49 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Well it just seems odd that it tripping the whole house electrics. It could be that the whole house is on an RCD main switch which is a safety aspects of the fuse board. It detects earth leakage and if the washer or dryer has a bit of earth leakage it would trip the main fuse and not the individual circuit eg lights, sockets etc. It would look like the size of two individual fuses together and have a button on it saying test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meko Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 the whole house needs re-wiring and she'll be without electricity for the duration; which will be approximately two weeks. As there'll be dust and no electricity it won't be safe for her to stay there. She can either: A - not use the washer and dryer together B - move into a hotel while it's done and you won't charge her any rent for the month. Option A - you don't need to do anything Option B - change the locks and dump her stuff in the hotel reception. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 the whole house needs re-wiring and she'll be without electricity for the duration; which will be approximately two weeks. As there'll be dust and no electricity it won't be safe for her to stay there. She can either: A - not use the washer and dryer together B - move into a hotel while it's done and you won't charge her any rent for the month. Option A - you don't need to do anything Option B - change the locks and dump her stuff in the hotel reception. I love the way that you think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 It's not easy to say without knowing how the consumer unit is made up and the type of circuits that it supplies. I wouldn't say there's anything you could do yourself, I could suggest numerous things that could be at fault but without having a look it would be totally pointless. You don't want to be uprating fuses/breakers if the circuits aren't capable of supplying the load. You'll have to get someone out to have a look. Thanks, understand where your coming from. I thought as much but thought it might be worth posting. Might have more information tomorrow which I could post up. Well it just seems odd that it tripping the whole house electrics. It could be that the whole house is on an RCD main switch which is a safety aspects of the fuse board. It detects earth leakage and if the washer or dryer has a bit of earth leakage it would trip the main fuse and not the individual circuit eg lights, sockets etc. It would look like the size of two individual fuses together and have a button on it saying test. It does seem really weird, good point though mate about the earth leakage. I'll check this test button tomorrow. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absz Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 does it trip out when items used separately ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 As a sparky I agree with ricky 49, based on the info you supplied and its only those two appliances running at the same time that trips out all power to the property Im guessing its on a main switch RCD. Your appliances with motors or heating elements generate tiny earth fault currents especially ones with heating elements indivdually it may not be enough to trip the RCD but with them combined it may be enough to hit the magic 30mA mark. Take a few decent quality pictures of your consumer unit, sorry fuseboard/distribution board/electric box/thing with switches and upload them on this thread when you next pop round to ask for your 2 months rent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 does it trip out when items used separately ? Don't think it does, but will have a better idea tomorrow mate. It sounds almost as if the electricity could not handle the demand of the washing machine & dryer. As a sparky I agree with ricky 49, based on the info you supplied and its only those two appliances running at the same time that trips out all power to the property Im guessing its on a main switch RCD. Your appliances with motors or heating elements generate tiny earth fault currents especially ones with heating elements indivdually it may not be enough to trip the RCD but with them combined it may be enough to hit the magic 30mA mark. Take a few decent quality pictures of your consumer unit, sorry fuseboard/distribution board/electric box/thing with switches and upload them on this thread when you next pop round to ask for your 2 months rent. Thanks dude, I'll be popping round tomorrow. Will be taking either an Electrician (if I find someone) or just go with my mate to do some basic trouble shooting! You sparky's aren't half cheap as you! I'll get some photo's and check fuses etc, really appriciate all the help guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
far Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 gosh - two threads on tripping fuses in one day Hope it gets sorted dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 No probs my fees are £30 per post on this thread, so that makes £60....... paypal ok with you If you don't get it sorted post them pics up and ask the tenant if anything else electrically gremlin wise has happened it may help with a quick and possibly free solution like telling her to stop wearing clothes that way no need to use the appliances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 gosh - two threads on tripping fuses in one day Hope it gets sorted dude Haha tell me about it! What a coincident! Shows you how much of a variety of talent we have on this forum! If I ever was ship wrecked then I'd make sure its with you guys! Obviously put Cheryl Cole in my pocket as well No probs my fees are £30 per post on this thread, so that makes £60....... paypal ok with you If you don't get it sorted post them pics up and ask the tenant if anything else electrically gremlin wise has happened it may help with a quick and possibly free solution like telling her to stop wearing clothes that way no need to use the appliances. Noo Sarrrr....I likke tu putt da monies intu youur account. Plweae gave me yourr account nuumbar! She is a chav, well has turned more into one since breaking up with her husband. I would not enterain idea's like that, just thinking about it makes me want to puke in my mouth, actually that sounds a lot better than telling her not to wear clothes I'll update this post tomorrow with pictures & more details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 on the earth leakage fault. Pressing the button on the rcd wont prove anything, you'd need to use an rcd tester to make sure its not that at fault Which chances are it probably won't be. If you really wanted to find out what was producing the earth fault a pat tester would tell you, washing machine would be your best bet. It certainly won't be too much demand on the main breaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Marty makes a valid point regarding the use of a portable appliance tester to make sure the earth leakage generated by your appliances isn't too much to trip an rcd (individually or combined). As a landlord to this chav tenant you are legally obliged to carry out a yearly (or change in tenancy) test of all appliances supplied by you ie. the white goods. If you haven't carried one out recently or all at then its a good idea to get a sparky out who can carry of the PAT test, covers your ass and it will prove/disprove the faulty appliance theory. Prices normally between 50p-£1 an item for over 20 items so its not expensive, less than 10 items maybe you will expect a total charge of around 30 quid to cover travel for the PAT tester, unless he drives a supra then expect double! My money is on the tumble dryer, poll anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 My money is on the tumble dryer, poll anyone? Good call with the tumble dryer actually if the strap has come off the drum it could well be a progressive build up of static, which is eventually arcing to earth all at one go once the juice has built up enough to jump to the case and earth I'm sticking to the washer now though now as i've committed myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meko Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 my money is on the chav. She's probably got everything plugged in and turned on at the same time. Washing machine going, clothes drying in the tumble dryer, some in the oven and some in the microwave, all the lights on, TV, radio, X-Box etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 Thanks guys, I might print this out & take it with me tomorrow, shove it in her face! I am also taking her notice with me to say I am not renewing her contract. Cheeky cow says that she has rights as the "council" has advised her she can leave when she wants. Her brother in law phones me up this evening complaining about the electricity issue & threatening me with stories of how she has more rights because she is on the dole. He knows all about this because he & his friend & all his brothers are on the dole, in the same sentence he manages to tell me he is a painter & decorator Lets see how it goes with the electrican tomorrow! I bloody hope he does not drive a Supra & drives a micra! Thanks again guys, you brighten up my troubles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Doleys are scum I know I used to be one , it is sad how some people seem to have more rights than others when problems like this arise. The only thing she could do is pay for an electrician to fix this and get you to pay for it. If she is on the dole and the council..... sorry tax payers are paying her rent charges then you could politely bring this up with the local council and request her next payments are paid directly into your account for the 2 months arrears. If you are paid monthly according to the tenancy you have with her she has no rights to withhold rent from you. Can i make a suggestion for your next tenant, stay away from people on the dole unless you know them personally or they have good references from previous landlords. Get a nice young professional or a family in next time. Much more reliable and less likely to throw the council in your face if any issues arise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 My brothers a sparky and lives in romford. Will pm you his number and you can decide weather to use him or not. He's been in the job over 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 Doleys are scum I know I used to be one , it is sad how some people seem to have more rights than others when problems like this arise. The only thing she could do is pay for an electrician to fix this and get you to pay for it. If she is on the dole and the council..... sorry tax payers are paying her rent charges then you could politely bring this up with the local council and request her next payments are paid directly into your account for the 2 months arrears. If you are paid monthly according to the tenancy you have with her she has no rights to withhold rent from you. Can i make a suggestion for your next tenant, stay away from people on the dole unless you know them personally or they have good references from previous landlords. Get a nice young professional or a family in next time. Much more reliable and less likely to throw the council in your face if any issues arise. I never tar everyone with the same brush, but boy these people! She knows the system so well its like she has been doing this for years! This is my very first time so I've learnt a valuable lesson, the house is in a total mess as well! Well I had to do some running around & get in contact with the council & found out she had been paid that 2 months rent & they are not willing to pay her again! Looks like she has spent the money on fags...and loads of it! Thanks for advice mate, appriciate it. My brothers a sparky and lives in romford. Will pm you his number and you can decide weather to use him or not. He's been in the job over 20 years. Sweet! Thanks James, I am waiting for a friend to call me back about bringing someone with him. Failing that I am going to give your brother a call straight away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjgreen3 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Yeah I don't like to tar people with the same brush it was self-depricating humor. But yes doley's have more free time on their hands to smoke fags and watch jeremy kyle, which is pretty much what I did until I got over my self pity and focussed all efforts into getting employment. But from working as a council sparky and going into unemployed tenants homes I generally found them ruder, overly selfish and arrogant compared to employed tenants. They seemed to think the world owed them something and would contantly argue about what you were doing and how you were doing it. FFS I was helping them out (for free as the council paid for the work) and a little respect wouldn't go amiss. My point stands about not getting another unemployed tenant though, however if you do get the council to pay YOU the rent instead of the tenant it can be done as when I was unemployed I had the option of entering the DD details of my landlord when applying for housing benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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