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Fault-finding 🇦🇺 WA / AustraliaWhy do my kitchen GPOs trip when I turn the cooktop/oven on?
Here are the usual causes, most likely first, and how an electrician would track it down.
Likely causes
- Earth leakage from a cooktop/oven element (damp/failed element) adding to leakage already on the same safety switch (RCD)
- cooktop/oven and kitchen GPOs sharing one safety switch (RCD), so normal leakage adds up
- A neutral-earth fault on the cooktop/oven circuit
- Moisture in the cooktop/oven outlet or connection
How you'd find it
- Safe isolation, then IR test the cooktop/oven circuit and appliance: L+N to E at 500 V – expect ≥ 1 MΩ; an element under that is suspect
- Split the loads: run the cooktop/oven with the GPOs unplugged to see which side leaks
- N–E test on each circuit to find borrowed neutrals
Usual fix
Replace the leaky element or cooktop/oven; fix any N–E fault; if leakage is spread, split circuits over more safety switch (RCD)s/RCBOs.
⚠️ Safety: Stop and safely isolate before touching anything. If you're not qualified, leave it to a licensed electrician (WA licence).
Regulation: AS/NZS 3000:2018 Cl 2.6 (RCD protection); IR test Cl 8.3.6.
Study aid in plain English, not the text of the standard. Always check the current AS/NZS 3000:2018 + WA rules and your local rules. Electrical work must be done by a licensed or registered electrician.
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