garden shredder problem
garden shredder problem
I know this is not a gardening forum but bear with me. I have a garden shredder which runs fine in reverse but trips the RCD when started in forward mode. As it runs fine in reverse I am assuming it is a problem with the circuit board/switching rather than the motor. Any help welcome, where do I start? I have tried to find a website for the manufacturer but with no sucess. It is made under the name 'Challenger' and the model is 'Extreme' I am in the UK. Thank you.
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Re: garden shredder problem
Is the shredder double insulated? RCDs operate be sensing a difference between live and neutral current, any different means current is flowing either to mains earth or 'real' earth. If it is double insulated then any leak must be to real earth and would suggest defective insulation.
If it is earthed (class 1) I would suspect the switch is most likely at fault - briefly (or for that matter permanently) shorting to mains earth when switched to reverse. Can you leave the switch in the reverse position and try switching the power on at the socket / resetting the RCD - does it trip again? Depending on the safety features of the switch this may not be possible. Beyond that if you are confident and safe working on mains powered equipment you could check the switch for damaged insulation, loose connections etc. A meter could be used to check for the L-E and N-E shorts as the switch is operated. Bypassing the switch should be avoided, as this would defeat any safety interlocks.
If it is earthed (class 1) I would suspect the switch is most likely at fault - briefly (or for that matter permanently) shorting to mains earth when switched to reverse. Can you leave the switch in the reverse position and try switching the power on at the socket / resetting the RCD - does it trip again? Depending on the safety features of the switch this may not be possible. Beyond that if you are confident and safe working on mains powered equipment you could check the switch for damaged insulation, loose connections etc. A meter could be used to check for the L-E and N-E shorts as the switch is operated. Bypassing the switch should be avoided, as this would defeat any safety interlocks.