I cannot reset the trip for a circuit on my landing. It tripped earlier and I assumed a lamp had blown. I tried resetting but it trips again immediately. I checked the on/off with for loose wiring and removed all lamps in my landing then tried resetting, but it tripped immediately. I was wondering if I had a faulty/broken circuit breaker or ther was a fault in the wiring for that circuit. I wanted to try another breaker but didn't know how to remove it.

Glenn, April 2008

Oops - sorry, my bad - assumed you meant plug-in lamp (doh!) - knew I shouldn't have replied whilst being off with flu!

You're on about a lighting circuit (and it 'tripped' the breaker) as opposed to me reading 'tripped on a light'! - Sorry.

---

Breaker removal (assuming you're using a UK spec board here),

TURN OFF THE MAIN SWITCH (to kill the board) and any other incoming supply main switch if you have one between the supplier and your board,
USE INSULATED SCREWDRIVERS JUST IN CASE - YOU'RE POSSIBLY PLAYING WITH 60+Amps HERE!

Remove the cover

With a LARGE crosshead screwdriver undo the breaker's OUTGOING terminal (it will have the lighting 1mm tail going into it - basically the top screw with the cable going into it)

Remove the tail and carefully move it out of the way, but not putting it remotely near anything else (including yourself)

Remove the Live BusBar cover (plastic cover at bottom of board)

Undo the breaker's INCOMING terminal (it will have the copper busbar going into it, which is the live connection direct from the main switch - WHICH YOU SHOULD HAVE SWITCHED OFF)

You should see a small plastic loop at the back of the breaker that will just about fit a small 'terminal type' screwdriver into it - place screwdriver into that and give it a nudge up or down (dependant on placement) away from the breaker (so, if the loop is on the bottom - push down, on the top, lift upwards)

If you've a decent board, the breaker should come free (towards you and up) - if it's a cheapy then you'll have to remove the busbar from the lower terminals of all the breakers (which is nasty!).

Stick the new breaker in (guessing B6 rated), making sure it has the same locking mechanism on the rear

Reconnect the busbar (nice and tight)
Replace the busbar cover
Reconnect the lighting tail(s) - (again, nice and tight)
Replace the cover

Make sure the breaker is off
Main Switch ON
Breaker test ?
Still trips - get a sparky in, it's a little more serious.

Kevo (having re-read your original question properly!), April 2008

Assuming the breaker is marked 'sockets' then physically remove all devices from their sockets on that circuit - not just the landing (basically everything that won't switch on as the breaker is off).

Try the breaker again - if the breaker now engages then you know it's a different device on the circuit from the lamp you thought it was - start plugging things back in one at a time, switching on each as you go, if you have extension leads then make sure you have unplugged anything from them and reconnect each of those devices individually. When you plug one in and the breaker goes pop again, then you have your culprit!

---

Removing the breaker itself is a little more difficult as it will vary depending on what consumer unit you have (manufacturers vary on how the live busbar is connected) and you'll have to get a like-for-like breaker on the rear-latching bar (can sometimes be rather difficult).

---

Hope this all helps a little

Kevo, April 2008