RCD tripping electric BBQ

[brianthainess]

Why would this electric BBQ trip my RCD once it's got hot? Thermostat is working ok.

[flyingtlger]

Maybe you're overloading the circuit. You might need to change the fuse to the specific outlet or you have a grounding problem....

[brianthainess]

6 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

Maybe you're overloading the circuit. You might need to change the fuse to the specific outlet or you have a grounding problem....

Where would a fuse be. Please explain how I could have a Grounding problem. 

The socket used is also used for other appliances, A Kettle and Toaster, even an Oven  with no issues. "Overloading" it's a standard OTTO appliance. 

 

[Crossy]

Those sand-filled heating elements can go leaky, but it's usually a problem when they've been left unused for a while and the damp gets in, they recover once they warm up and dry out.

 

Since you are seeing an issue when things warm up it's probably a failed element (wire touches the outer when it gets hot).

 

The only fix is to replace the element (or more likely in this case, the whole unit).

 

[xylophone]

3 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Where would a fuse be. Please explain how I could have a Grounding problem. 

The socket used is also used for other appliances, A Kettle and Toaster, even an Oven  with no issues. "Overloading" it's a standard OTTO appliance. 

 

More likely that there is a breakdown inside one of the elements, whereby when the insulation around the element core gets hot, it fails and leaks voltage.
 

[brianthainess]

3 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Those sand-filled heating elements can go leaky, but it's usually a problem when they've been left unused for a while and the damp gets in, they recover once they warm up and dry out.

 

Since you are seeing an issue when things warm up it's probably a failed element (wire touches the outer when it gets hot).

 

The only fix is to replace the element (or more likely in this case, the whole unit).

 

Yes was thinking the same thing, element is forked.  it has not been used for a while, but kept in a dry cupboard in the kitchen. Back to Charcoal BBQ.  Can't buy element alone. 

[Crossy]

16 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Yes was thinking the same thing, element is forked.  it has not been used for a while, but kept in a dry cupboard in the kitchen. Back to Charcoal BBQ.  Can't buy element alone. 

 

If it's been unused for a while, you could try it on a non-RCD outlet and see if it recovers after running for an hour or so.

 

But charcoal barbie tastes soooo much better 😛 

[lopburi3]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

it's a standard OTTO appliance. 

 

Believe (having owned several) they are worth the price - they may or may not last - but cheap to replace.  As mentioned it is likely an internal leakage and not worth the cost or effort to try and fix.

[lopburi3]

3 hours ago, Crossy said:

But charcoal barbie tastes soooo much better 😛

If you don't have to breath the air.  Down with charcoal.  

[brianthainess]

3 hours ago, Crossy said:

But charcoal barbie tastes soooo much better 😛 

Not really these electric BBQs have a tray that is filled with water, keeping food nice and moist, without drying it out. 

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, Crossy said:

If it's been unused for a while, you could try it on a non-RCD outlet and see if it recovers after running for an hour or so.

That sounds very dangerous to me, I could get electrocuted. 

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, brianthainess said:

That sounds very dangerous to me, I could get electrocuted. 

 

Not really, the leak is likely very small and the appliance is actually earthed (assuming you plug it into an earthed outlet).

 

Turn it on, plug it in, don't touch it, run 30 mins, unplug it. Nobody dies.

 

If you had an older place with no RCD you would never have known there was an issue unless it opened the MCB with a nice "pop". That would be an immediate bin job.

 

[bluejets]

Ends of the element sheath are commonly sealed to some extent to stop moisutre ingress into the manganese dioxide insulating medium as the element cools.

 

Fix,if moisture is the problem, usually determined by megger test, is to remove the sealer, heat the sheath with a butane torch from mid-point to each end alternatively, driving moisture out.

This is sometimes obvious like the sound of a wet firework or sneaky fart.

 

Then re-test and reseal if successful.

 

Option 1 for diy is get a new one.