A Question About Rcd Adaptors

[Kris T]

I'm new to all this. My first 200L tank is currently in a fishless cycle. I have a 6 way extension lead plugged into an RCD adaptor, but the adaptor is getting REALLY hot.

It's only about one square cm that's getting hot on one side, but it really is incredibly hot...Is this normal for this kind of adaptor? It's happening on things besides my fish-related stuff. For example, even if I just have a cordless phone plugged into the RCD, it still gets incredibly hot.

Should I try a new RCD adaptor? I dont like the idea of it being on 24/7 when it's this hot...Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[electricalsrus]

I'm new to all this. My first 200L tank is currently in a fishless cycle. I have a 6 way extension lead plugged into an RCD adaptor, but the adaptor is getting REALLY hot.

It's only about one square cm that's getting hot on one side, but it really is incredibly hot...Is this normal for this kind of adaptor? It's happening on things besides my fish-related stuff. For example, even if I just have a cordless phone plugged into the RCD, it still gets incredibly hot.

Should I try a new RCD adaptor? I dont like the idea of it being on 24/7 when it's this hot...Any advice greatly appreciated!

In short no it shouldn't get hot with the loading your running. Check all connections to make sure they are all sound. I would take it back or bin it. I have seen an rcd get hot and a go up in smoke. I take it your fuseboard is just that and hasn't got trip switches?

 

[Geoff1991]

Sounds faulty to me. Also, ^ good question, i recommend using trip switches as they will trip if a fault develops or if the circuit is overloaded, which gives you chance to fix the problem.

 

[electricalsrus]

Carrying on from previous post if you have got a newish fuse board say 10yrs or younger it could be rcd and mcb protected if it has and the circuit supplying your skts is on it you don't need another rcd adaptor in circuit. If you haven't it wouldn't be a bad idea to get an electrician to quote for a consumer unit change. For a 10 way board complete with 2 rcd units and mcbs including test and 17th edition certificate should be around £250-£300. If you wanted individual rcbo protection on all circuits will cost more as they cost more to buy, but r better as only the affected circuit trips leaving the rest still energised. Rcbo is a combined rcd and mcb trip switch in a single unit. Having 2 rcd units is a better compromise because you can split circuits eg 1 lighting 1 skt etc so if it trips you are not plunged into darkness.