Henry tripping RCD

[Bsmith]

I wouldn't personally recommend it, it'd be much better to see what's really going on...

Is it definitely an rcd that it's throwing, not a mcb or rcbo? As in, it's definitely showing an earth fault and not over current.

Got rcd in the consumer unit in the house, got mcb's in the shed. It would have to be the one in the house, mcb's in the shed would be too handy for me to reset. Trips everything in the house as well.

Now that I've looked up what an rcbo is, it may be what is in the consumer unit. Photo soon of the breaker that it trips.

 

[Bsmith]

So, tonight we have a look in 'Charles' head.
Earth from plug is connected to what would look to me like a capacitor, and also to the side of the motor.
We don't need a cap on a series motor do we? So must be something else, interference suppressor?



Another strange object to me that looks like a light bulb between the switch and one of the wires that goes to the motor.


All disconnected and motor removed, motor showing resistance but no shorts between wires and body.


Add a test cable and try it in the vice, motor runs perfectly.


Motor back in position and now I'll just wire it my way, switch is sticky, might be adding to problem so I won't bother re-connecting, I don't need it. Since the earth wires are there, they are now connected from the plug to the motor body.




And he works fine.

 

[Bsmith]

Forgot photo of rcd in the consumer unit, but I'm almost certain it is a rcd.

 

[ukracer]

You're a pedantic so-and-so aren’t you

Hopefully you'll take that as a compliment rather than an insult, I'm known for being a pedantic sod.

He had one of them earlier...lol

 

[dobbslc]

Christ it must be good if it sucked up an adjustable spanner!

 

[Bsmith]

Christ it must be good if it sucked up an adjustable spanner!

Dropped it in before photo as a joke.

I'm surprised it's got an earth in there - but hey, it's there, use it. Seeing as it now runs it's obviously doing no harm now.

Just out of interest though, does the info sticker have the double insulated symbol (square within a square) on it?

Will check soon and let you know.
Any ideas what the items are that I removed, thing like a light bulb, and thing like a capacitor or octopus throwing hula hoops is?(5th pic from top)

 

[angellonewolf]

the light prob is just a power light ?

 

[armalites]

I appreciate you have it working but I would be tempted to reinstate each bit and find out where the issue is. You may even find that taking it apart and putting back together was the fix.

It's a shame more stuff isn't like Numatic, quick search on ebay and you can have almost every single part delivered to your house for a few quid.

 

[GW8IZR]

Is that not the 'I'm full of water' neon?

 

[WorkshopChris]

I'm surprised it's got an earth in there - but hey, it's there, use it. Seeing as it now runs it's obviously doing no harm now.

Just out of interest though, does the info sticker have the double insulated symbol (square within a square) on it?

I would expect this version has the earth fitted as it is to be used wet. If the item was to tip over and water was to reach the motor or be dropped into a tank of water the earth would give a low resistance return to blow the fuse or operate a rcd.

 

[GW8IZR]

Just looks like its connected to that float switch to me but the pic's not good enough to be sure.

I'd be wary of willi nilly connecting this motor, the protection stuff is there for a reason. If it ever does overfill - the house RCD better trip ;-)

 

[GW8IZR]

Not on that photo.. but I stand by my original statement.. its a wet and dry so bodging the wiring to 'make it work' isn't a good idea.

I'd advise caution.

 

[Bsmith]

I'm surprised it's got an earth in there - but hey, it's there, use it. Seeing as it now runs it's obviously doing no harm now.

Just out of interest though, does the info sticker have the double insulated symbol (square within a square) on it?

Couldn't find any symbol like you describe, but think some labels missing.

whats the number off the side of the "bulb" thing?

SB604C3H

 

[Bsmith]

Not on that photo.. but I stand by my original statement.. its a wet and dry so bodging the wiring to 'make it work' isn't a good idea.

I'd advise caution.

I'm only going to use it in the shed/ workshop. Picking up grinding grit, welding slag, lathe and drill swarf.

 

[Bsmith]

I appreciate you have it working but I would be tempted to reinstate each bit and find out where the issue is. You may even find that taking it apart and putting back together was the fix.

It's a shame more stuff isn't like Numatic, quick search on ebay and you can have almost every single part delivered to your house for a few quid.

I was thinking the same actually, I'll keep the parts and have a go at rebuilding some time.

 

[GW8IZR]

I'm only going to use it in the shed/ workshop. Picking up grinding grit, welding slag, lathe and drill swarf.

I have a normal VAX similar to a henry in the workshop and for GP cleaning they work well, the wet / dry one is still in the house and she doesn't let me take it out of her sight ;-)

If your Numatic anything like my wet/dry VAX it will have a float ball thing that lifts up and stops the water being drawn into the motor inlet and I *think* there is a tilt switch but its never needed taking apart so not sure.

Anyway just worth being cautious

 

[Bsmith]

There is no float switch, just a ball that should float up in a cage to block suction when full.

 

[Bsmith]

The "bulb" thing looks like a bimetal switch to me - but I can't make it out that clearly so I'm likely wrong...

If it is, it's job is to turn it off if it gets hot.

Had a google, can find the code but no explanation of what it is...so best guess, some form of thermal diode to prevent overheating the motor

Yep, closer inspection tonight. it is a temp controlled switch in glass tube. It's in ok condition, I can easily stick it back in Charles to prevent motor damage from overheating.

I'm assuming that if the tank was full of liquid and the ball blocking the suction, then if the motor was left running it may well overheat, think this switch would be to prevent damage in this situation.

 

[armalites]

I'm assuming that if the tank was full of liquid and the ball blocking the suction, then if the motor was left running it may well overheat, think this switch would be to prevent damage in this situation.

Do you also have the filter piece? If you are going to be doing dry stuff then ideally you need to take the piece with the ball out and put one of these in
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numatic-C...525623&hash=item2106cf8b61:g:yNIAAOSw7FRWZ0Uj

 

[Bsmith]

Do you also have the filter piece? If you are going to be doing dry stuff then ideally you need to take the piece with the ball out and put one of these in
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numatic-C...525623&hash=item2106cf8b61:g:yNIAAOSw7FRWZ0Uj

Yep, it's got one o them in it and another filter round the ball cage, I could take the ball out but think it will be best to leave the cage to hold the extra filter.