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 condo main circuit breaker tripping, during thunder storm

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TSjason1986
post Apr 24 2023, 09:17 PM, updated 3y ago

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Lately, during thunderstorm my condo elcb trips (main breaker). i.e. whole house no electricity.

This happened after I changed new aircond, but the thing is it is using back old wiring.

Any idea what could cause this? previously mcb trip (small breaker) due to upstairs leaking water to my light but that has been solved.

First time encounter this issue in condo as normally condo wont trip during lightning.
TSjason1986
post Apr 25 2023, 08:50 AM

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QUOTE(nihility @ Apr 25 2023, 12:37 AM)
ELCB or main incoming MCCB tripped? Different device tripping will signifies different issue.

For the ELCB, if tripped , it is associated with the earth fault . You will not be able to switch back the ELCB until the fault have been rectified. Possible fault may occured if the wires short circuited/ insulation damaged, water contact , equipment fault, melted cable due to overheating/ undersized cable , etc.

If MCCB tripped, it is associated with the over current / sudden surge of current . The lightning may be one of the cause or it can also signifies that your unit is drawing the power until there is no more buffer of safety, any small fluctuation (up surge) will cause the incoming current to exceed the MCCB rating & leads to tripping.
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It’s elcb. The one with the test button. But only trip when got lightning.
TSjason1986
post Apr 25 2023, 02:29 PM

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QUOTE(nihility @ Apr 25 2023, 10:55 AM)
The new AC unit is fully inverter ? The AC is in operation during the lightning / trip event?
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Standard unit. Aircond not on but switch for aircond on 24/7
TSjason1986
post Apr 27 2023, 09:41 AM

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QUOTE(nihility @ Apr 25 2023, 02:39 PM)
I have higher tendency to believe it is due to leakage / fault level from the AC unit if such is the case. You can totally isolate the power of the MCB to this unit in future when there is lightning, observe if the ELCB still trip. If the ELCB not tripping after the isolation of the power to this AC , you can pin point the issue to the AC unit. If it still trip, it is not the AC .

The reason I asked if the AC is inverter or not because for the inverter unit, there is frequency modulation to the compressor . Whenever there is the frequency modulation , the harmonic distortion will increases & may contribute to nuisance tripping.
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I have a feeling installer for new aircond hit some cables when drilling for new mounting plate.

But on the other hand if cable injured, it should have tripped when hit.

So far only happens when there is thunder which is really odd for a condo.


TSjason1986
post Apr 27 2023, 09:41 AM

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QUOTE(ceo684 @ Apr 25 2023, 07:50 PM)
Mana ada ELCB. There’s no earth connected to it whistling.gif
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ada lahhh icon_rolleyes.gif
TSjason1986
post May 4 2023, 08:58 PM

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QUOTE(nihility @ Apr 27 2023, 10:07 AM)
You can safely eliminate this possibility. If there is fault, no way you can switch back the protection relay until the fault is rectified.

The more troublesome one will be the transient fault and this transient fault level got something to do with your AC unit.
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I have turned off aircond switch and it still trips during thunderstorms. Really scratch head. At the moment I am in genting. I know tripped cause read on news there is thunderstorm in kv and my cctv not working.

Could extension plug connected to another extension plug cause this? I am using double extension for my fish tanks.

This post has been edited by jason1986: May 4 2023, 09:00 PM
TSjason1986
post May 5 2023, 02:56 PM

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QUOTE(ceo684 @ May 5 2023, 02:19 PM)
Your RCD pic? Got cheap ones w/o anti nuisance trip and that’s probably why u kena so many nuisance trips
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user posted image

Kozuka brand. Previously no such issue though. Just happening lately. I just bought a maxguard one to try and swap and see if it solves the problem

 

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