Most modern homes are fitted with at least one RCD (Residual Current Device) or GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter). These are one of the greatest electrical safety inventions in history, but when they start tripping randomly it can be a real nuisance to try and hunt down the cause.
This is where a good sensitive AC current leakage detector can be very useful. In this case I'm using an AMECaL ST-9810 which is a nice simple clamp meter with peak hold that can measure current down to 100uA. It's optimised for tracking down earth leakage current, but also functions as a regular clamp meter too, with a current measuring range up to 200A.
In this video I show the use of an in-line adaptor that allows you to break out the live and neutral conductors separate from the earth for an appliance. It's simply a very short extension with the earth core gently pulled out of the flex and wired external to it. If making one of these I'd recommend that the live and neutral cores are sleeved for protection, particularly if it's going to be rattling around in a tool box or van.
This video also explains how an RCD works and why they aren't infallible and as such should not be used as an alternative to safe electrical practices.
A link to Amecal's website (UK based company) http://www.amecal.com/
This is where a good sensitive AC current leakage detector can be very useful. In this case I'm using an AMECaL ST-9810 which is a nice simple clamp meter with peak hold that can measure current down to 100uA. It's optimised for tracking down earth leakage current, but also functions as a regular clamp meter too, with a current measuring range up to 200A.
In this video I show the use of an in-line adaptor that allows you to break out the live and neutral conductors separate from the earth for an appliance. It's simply a very short extension with the earth core gently pulled out of the flex and wired external to it. If making one of these I'd recommend that the live and neutral cores are sleeved for protection, particularly if it's going to be rattling around in a tool box or van.
This video also explains how an RCD works and why they aren't infallible and as such should not be used as an alternative to safe electrical practices.
A link to Amecal's website (UK based company) http://www.amecal.com/
Does this work on 3 phase circuits….you clamp around L1,L2, L3 and neutral?
If you are an electrician that can go down to component level
It took me fifteen minutes of video until I understood that the rinmin wasn't slang of some sort but "RING MAIN" 😆
Ohhh Big Clive uses MK plugs. My Dad alwasy swore they were the best
Ah but K not is in
Ah But Knots Nots in CliFE👍
24 A on 2.5 mm² is much. In Finland the max is 16 A unless it is a surface mount.
Prone to failure, or designed to fail , so you have to buy the next current model? In my mind that is criminal. No different than a drug dealer who knows his clients are addicted. TIME FOR CHANGE!!!!!!!
This is an oldie but a goodie (by Internet standard-years). Would you consider demonstrating an RVD (residual voltage device) ? Similarly an "RCD-Duo" which doesn't require an earth connection ?
Your videos are perfect for my peanut brain, thanks Clive
As always full stars for the video. 1) question do i need a clamp meter like this or will any clamp meter do the same job ?
I made an AC Line Splitter that is connected inline with, but after, an RCD. With a male and female plug and socket on either end. To be used after the power point and before the load. I.E. Socket-Plug-Lead-RCD-Lead-Active, Neutral, Earth Split-Lead-Plug-Load. It saves having to break the line of the load. And is meant to be used with a clamp meter when the load is too far from a power point and you can't see the power meter screen at the outlet. And you can measure the inrush on the load. And I double insulated everything with heat shrink and glueline breakouts to split the line.
I have been that light bulb !
just out of curiosity, do they work with DC and do they work with low voltages (e.g. 5 – 12V)?
Hi I've put this around the live and negative wires going into the consumer unit and its reading 130mA with the electric shower on. This seems abnormal can you confirm?
That was utterly brilliant, thank you. Explained everything I had failed to understand from all the other videos I have watched, a bit like when I was at college and a plumber finally managed to get me to understand applied mathematics, when a lot of other people MSC's , PHD's had failed. Some people can teach so you can understand and some cannot. You can, thank you.
I am suffering a nuisance RCD trip out, that is getting worse. I suspect an old RCD and an old fridge, but it could be something else. I like to do my own trouble shooting before I call in the experts and your video has shown me what I need and what I need to do before I call in an electrician to fix the problem. My Dad, taught me just about everything you shouldn't do with electrical equipment; he was a sales manager for Black & Decker so we had lots of tools lying around without plugs both 24v & 110v. Whilst I always made sure that everything I used at least had the earth wire wrapped round the earth pin of the plug I was using, something I know he failed to do on at least two occasions, but lived to tell the tale, I made sure those lessons were never passed on to my sons LOL.
It's just what painters do made me laugh. I spent over 40 years in the construction industry a lot of it in refurbishment.
About the most useful gadget I bought is the Habotest Socket Tester,very easy to use,and which indicates several faults. I pressed the RCD button to see what would happen,and the whole circuit cut out immediately. I habitually check every socket outlet to ensure its functionality. I have a clamp meter which I have not used yet,usually finding the multimeter adequate for my needs. Very glad to see this video,because earthing has always been a "thing" with me.
I'm happy to see the big fella mentioned the accumulative leakage scenario. I started realising this when we first starting install the dreaded safety switch as they were know then. Now I just use the single module individual RCD on each circuit to mitigate that very issue as we don't use ring circuits in Australia Thanks for the content 👍