Earth Leakage Tripping Strand | RCD Fault Diagnosis

About Earth Leakage Issues in Strand

Earth leakage protection is the most important safety feature in your electrical installation. The earth leakage unit (also called an RCD or residual current device) monitors the balance between current flowing out on the live conductor and returning on the neutral. If even a small amount of current leaks to earth - typically through damaged insulation, a faulty appliance, or a person touching a live part - the RCD detects the imbalance and disconnects the circuit in milliseconds. This life-saving device prevents electrocution, which is why SANS 10142-1 mandates earth leakage protection on all circuits in South African homes.

When your earth leakage unit trips frequently, it means current is leaking to earth somewhere in your installation. This is called nuisance tripping when the cause is not immediately apparent, but it is never truly a nuisance - there is always a real cause. Common sources include moisture in outdoor junction boxes or light fittings (particularly relevant in the Western Cape's wet winters), faulty appliances with degraded insulation (geysers, pool pumps, and old fridges are frequent offenders), damaged cable insulation from rodents, nails, or age, and faulty earth connections.

Our fault-finding process involves isolating each circuit individually and testing its insulation resistance to identify which circuit has the leakage. We then narrow down to the specific section of wiring or the specific appliance causing the problem. In Strand, we frequently encounter moisture-related earth leakage in older properties where outdoor wiring has not been adequately protected against the elements.

This is one of several specialist services we offer under emergency electrical & fault finding in Strand. As part of our Strand electrical team, we bring over 25 years of hands-on experience to every job.

Earth Leakage Issues in Strand - Abacas Solution

When to Call for Earth Leakage Issues

Call when your earth leakage trips repeatedly with no obvious cause, when it trips only in certain weather conditions, when it will not reset at all, when the test button does not work, or when you have tried unplugging all appliances and it still trips.

Our Earth Leakage Issues Process

1

Leakage Pattern Assessment

We gather information about when the earth leakage trips - is it constant, intermittent, weather-related, or triggered by a specific appliance? This guides our testing strategy.

2

Circuit-by-Circuit Isolation

Each circuit is disconnected from the DB board and tested individually using an insulation resistance tester. The faulty circuit is identified by its low insulation resistance reading (below 1 megohm indicates a fault).

3

Narrowing Down the Fault

On the faulty circuit, we systematically disconnect sections and outlets to narrow down the exact location of the leakage - whether it is in the fixed wiring, a junction box, an outlet, or a connected appliance.

4

Repair & Verification

The source of leakage is repaired (replace damaged cable, dry out and seal a junction box, replace a faulty appliance cord, etc.) and the circuit is retested to confirm insulation resistance exceeds 1 megohm. A CoC is issued.

Property owners in Strand often combine earth leakage issues with power outage / no power in Strand and tripping db board. We handle everything, so you only need one call.

Safety & Compliance

Earth leakage protection saves lives - it is the primary defence against electrocution in your home. Never bypass, disconnect, or tape down an earth leakage unit to stop it tripping. This is extremely dangerous and removes your protection against fatal electric shock. Under SANS 10142-1, all socket outlet circuits must be protected by earth leakage devices rated at 30mA. If your earth leakage unit trips, there is a real fault that needs professional diagnosis.

Earth Leakage Issues Cost in Strand

Earth leakage fault finding typically costs R600-R1,500 depending on complexity. Simple causes (a single faulty appliance) are resolved quickly and cheaply. Complex causes (moisture ingress, degraded cable insulation across multiple points) may require more extensive testing and repair work costing R1,500-R4,000. Replacement of an earth leakage unit (RCD) costs R300-R800 for the component plus installation. Upgrading to individual RCBOs per circuit costs R500-R1,000 per circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my earth leakage only trip when it rains in Strand?

Moisture entering outdoor junction boxes, light fittings, or underground cable joints causes current to leak to earth through the wet connections. This is very common in the Western Cape's wet season. We locate and seal the moisture ingress points to resolve it permanently.

Can a faulty appliance cause earth leakage tripping?

Yes, faulty appliances are one of the most common causes. Geysers with failing elements, pool pumps with damaged seals, and old refrigerators with degraded insulation frequently cause earth leakage trips. Unplugging appliances one at a time can sometimes help identify the culprit before we arrive.

What is the difference between an RCD and an RCBO?

An RCD (residual current device) protects multiple circuits from earth leakage but trips all of them when a fault occurs on any one. An RCBO combines earth leakage and overcurrent protection for a single circuit, so only the faulty circuit trips. We recommend RCBOs for new installations and upgrades.

Is it safe to reset the earth leakage after it trips?

You can try resetting it once. If it holds, monitor the situation - the trip may have been caused by a transient event like a power surge. If it trips again immediately or within minutes, do not keep resetting it. Call us to find and fix the underlying fault.

How often should earth leakage units be tested in Strand?

Press the test button on your earth leakage unit monthly to verify it trips. If it does not trip when tested, it is faulty and must be replaced immediately as it is not providing protection. Professional testing of trip times and sensitivity should be done as part of your CoC inspection.