Power in suite keeps tripping!

[Andrew_C]

You don't LEGALLY need to PAT (Portable Appliance Test) but you MUST have a way to prove your equipment is safe. PAT is one easy method to do this.

 

Using an appropriate tester (not a cheap pass/fail model) you could measure the leakage from each PC/monitor. This would enable you to calculate the total leakage for the suite. If this is over, or even near, 30mA then that would explain your problem.

 

The 30mA/30mS is a level where you shouldn't die if you are connected to the mains. Following a risk assessment, you may be able to de-rate the device. Depends largely on the wiring and kids in your school. Our electricians were of the opinion that we don't need RCD protection at all in the suite.

[ranj]

This problem means you must have some sort of earth leakage. We had this same problem and we had similar issues when staff were getting static shocks when touching a light switch. We had to get electricians in to resolve it.

[Andrew_C]

ALL PCs leak to earth. This is in the very nature of the power filtering used. The only question is how much, and how many you have on the same RCD.

 

Static shocks are entirely different and will be related to the type of carpet fitted, and the humidity.

[plexer]

I think 17th Edition of the regs calls for rcd on all sockets?

 

As said above all pc psu's leak to earth some more than others and some more so when they get older as well.

 

Ben

[Andrew_C]

I think 17th Edition of the regs calls for rcd on all sockets?

As I understand it, only those over 32A or likely to be used outside the zone of equipotential bonding, but I will have a look later to confirm.