Clapham Saint Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Given that this forum appears to be a one stop shop for all of life's queries, can anybody suggest the cause of an electrical problem? If any responses could be tailored to my impressive lack of electrical knowledge I would be grateful... Last night our electrics went out. I checked the fuse box the main trip would not go back into place. Long story short… after a little bit of fiddling (with the fuse box), it became apparent that it was the iron (Mrs CS had been ironing for a while before the problem first occurred) which seemed to be causing the problem. If the iron is plugged in everything goes t1 ts if it isn’t then all is fine – irrespective of what else is plugged in at the time. Does anybody have a suggestion for what is causing the problem and is there a solution other than “you need a new iron”? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 (edited) Sounds like there is a short in the iron. Your choices are take the iron apart and fix it (not recommended for someone with "an impressive lack of electrical knowledge") or get a new iron..... You could just open up the plug and make sure all the wires are neatly in the the right place and no stray strands are touching where they shouldn't. Thats a common problem. Edited 18 November, 2013 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevvy Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Given that this forum appears to be a one stop shop for all of life's queries, can anybody suggest the cause of an electrical problem? If any responses could be tailored to my impressive lack of electrical knowledge I would be grateful... Last night our electrics went out. I checked the fuse box the main trip would not go back into place. Long story short… after a little bit of fiddling (with the fuse box), it became apparent that it was the iron (Mrs CS had been ironing for a while before the problem first occurred) which seemed to be causing the problem. If the iron is plugged in everything goes t1 ts if it isn’t then all is fine – irrespective of what else is plugged in at the time. Does anybody have a suggestion for what is causing the problem and is there a solution other than “you need a new iron”? We had the same problem the system tripped out when plugged in our iron, in the end we bought a new one and it solved the problem, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Irons are notorious for tripping the switches. It may be that your system was overloaded and Mrs CS ironing only aggrevated it. Next time, have a look what else was on at the same time eg, Washing machine, electric fire, loads of lights etc. This may save you buying a new iron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 The plug or an RCD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimond Geezer Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 A new iron I reckon. I had the same problem when I used an extension lead, the plug was fine, I assumed there was a short within the lead, so ended up getting a new lead - problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clapham Saint Posted 18 November, 2013 Author Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Brilliant. I'll check the plug tonight and if no dice get a new iron. Thanks again, CS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Don't bugger about with safety. A new iron is cheap. The leads get a lot of wear because they're always being moved and stretched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halo Stickman Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Don't bugger about with safety. A new iron is cheap. The leads get a lot of wear because they're always being moved and stretched. This! Although the problem could be within the plug, my bet would be that the fault lies with the cable, probably where it connects to the iron. Much better to dump the iron and buy a new one than to risk you or Mrs CS getting an electric shock – I bought a perfectly decent one from Sainsbury’s a few months ago for under a tenner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 (edited) The 'Trip' (RCD) is doing its job and protecting you from potential shocks from leakage current off the iron. Sounds like the heating element in the iron is starting to break down, so new iron is the answer, I'm afraid. Could also be the flex breaking down, of course. Is your missus one those women who coil it up when they put it away, then just pull it out straight, so it ends ups totally kinked after a few uses? Perhaps she does it with her hairdryer as well? Edited 18 November, 2013 by Pugwash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Buy her a new one and tell her it's her Christmas present? Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightysaints Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Agree, get a new Iron. If you get tripping, un plug everything,re set the breaker and plug everything in one at a time. The 'Trip' (RCD) is doing its job and protecting you from potential shocks from leakage current off the iron. Sounds like the heating element in the iron is starting to break down, so new iron is the answer, I'm afraid. Could also be the flex breaking down, of course. Is your missus one those women who coil it up when they put it away, then just pull it out straight, so it ends ups totally kinked after a few uses? Perhaps she does it with her hairdryer as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clapham Saint Posted 18 November, 2013 Author Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Thanks all. Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Looks like I'll be treating her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 You need a new iron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 If he buys her an iron for her birthday, he'll need a new wife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 If he buys her an iron for her birthday, he'll need a new wife! Sainsburys you say? Under a tenner, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Sainsburys you say? Under a tenner, eh? Get there soon before the Christmas rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Get there soon before the Christmas rush. Be even cheaper on Boxing Day, if you can put up with the creases until then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 If he buys her an iron for her birthday, he'll need a new wife! An Iron for Birthday just shows how much you care, followed up a new Vacuum cleaner for Xmas, It will be a Xmas that you never forget ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 If he buys her an iron for her birthday, he'll need a new wife! Or maybe a surgeon to remove the iron from his colon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor_Saint Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 One way to prove it... have you got an electric kettle? If so, plug it into the same plug as the iron, turn it on, does it trip the circuit? If so, you've got a dodgy circuit. If not, it's the iron BTW, if you're getting a new iron spend the money and get a steam iron (around £100) rather than a normal iron. It's expensive, yes, but it cuts through shirts like it's a hot knife through butter (so the wife tells me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 18 November, 2013 Share Posted 18 November, 2013 Second the idea of a steam iron if it's one of those generator ones with the separate iron and steam hose. Far more efficient and much lighter. Additionally, the resultant lack of weight lifting practice also means that Mrs P is now no longer such a threat when arm wrestling for the TV remote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 19 November, 2013 Share Posted 19 November, 2013 Be even cheaper on Boxing Day, if you can put up with the creases until then. Don't really notice them when she puts her make up on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halo Stickman Posted 19 November, 2013 Share Posted 19 November, 2013 An Iron for Birthday just shows how much you care, followed up a new Vacuum cleaner for Xmas, It will be a Xmas that you never forget Spot on. With the festive season fast approaching and the colder weather on its way, why not buy the little woman in your life a nice pair of gloves: Poundland have some cracking oven and washing-up varieties – or how about a lovely set of disposables for all those dirty jobs that need doing, whilst you’ve got your feet up in front of the telly. She’ll love them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 19 November, 2013 Share Posted 19 November, 2013 Having the same problem but with a dishwasher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 19 November, 2013 Share Posted 19 November, 2013 Having the same problem but with a dishwasher Tell her to get closer to the sink ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 19 November, 2013 Share Posted 19 November, 2013 If he buys her an iron for her birthday, he'll need a new wife!you agree ironing is woman's work then lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 19 November, 2013 Share Posted 19 November, 2013 Having the same problem but with a dishwasher Check inside the plug, sometimes with the bigger appliances the plugs fail dependant on how long you have had it. Whats it doing tripping the RCD or the little breaker ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 20 November, 2013 Share Posted 20 November, 2013 If you've had it for a while, try plugging it into a different socket. Sometimes you will get a couple of more years out of them that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 21 November, 2013 Share Posted 21 November, 2013 I'm buying my wife a new top of the range Driver, shame :lol:she doesn't play golf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now