Fault-finding 🇬🇧 UK
Why do my kitchen sockets trip when I turn the cooker on?
Here are the usual causes, most likely first, and how an electrician would track it down.
Likely causes
- Earth leakage from a cooker element (damp/failed element) adding to leakage already on the same RCD
- cooker and kitchen sockets sharing one RCD, so normal leakage adds up
- A neutral-earth fault on the cooker circuit
- Moisture in the cooker outlet or connection
How you'd find it
- Safe isolation, then IR test the cooker circuit and appliance: L+N to E at 500 V – expect ≥ 1 MΩ; an element under that is suspect
- Split the loads: run the cooker with the sockets unplugged to see which side leaks
- N–E test on each circuit to find borrowed neutrals
Usual fix
Replace the leaky element or cooker; fix any N–E fault; if leakage is spread, split circuits over more RCDs/RCBOs.
⚠️ Safety: Stop and safely isolate before touching anything. If you're not qualified, leave it to a registered, competent electrician.
Regulation: BS 7671 411.3.3 (RCD protection); IR test 643.3 / Table 64.
Study aid in plain English, not the text of the standard. Always check the current BS 7671 and your local rules. Electrical work must be done by a licensed or registered electrician.
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