just bought new samsung tv with virgin connected trips main house rcd can connect virgin box to the tv ok, it's when i connect the incoming ariel cable to the box it trips, can connect a normal ariel ok and works fine. rcd only trips on this tv, this is first lcd i have purchased, have no problem with old type tv's. can reconnect virgin to this and have no tripping of rcd. have been back to store and they have excanged the tv as i thought was faulty but still same problem.

keith, May 2009

Under 17th edition every circuit should be rcd protected unless it is for a specific circuit and protected by metallic earthed capping or conduit (this could be a possibility to bear in mind as a last resort).
If your house were a workplace, taking the earth out would be illegal under regulation 8 of the electricity at work regulations 1989, so I certainly wouldn't recommend that!

I would start off by disconnecting everything to do with this (including the broadband cable) except the new tv and the virgin box, both powered from the same socket.
If the rcd still trips you will know the problem is to do with one of these, if it doesn't then start reconnecting the equipment as it was until it does trip, then you will know what is causing the problem.

Adam, June 2009

just the one box but still trips if i remove all other tv's cables and just connect the new tv to the virgin box.( broadband connection still connected to tv cable).been told by a couple of electricians to remove the rcd and replace with standard breaker as only sockets / lighting outside need rcds, another electrician said remove the earth connection from the tv, don't like the sound of this one ? going to try new earthing connection to house and sat cable at point of entry to house.

keith, June 2009

Try powering everything from the same circuit. This may involve temporarily running extension cables around your house, but give it a go and see if it still trips.

I wouldn't have thought cumulative earth leakage would be the problem, more likely a ground loop introduced through the signal cables.

Do you have 3 separate virgin boxes or just one connected to all 3 tvs?

Adam, June 2009

virgin box connected to 2 other old style tv's in house and working no problem it's only when i connect the ariel or the scart lead to the new tv it happens, connected this at moment to virgin using a wireless sender till i resolve the problem, tried cable box straight to tv disconnecting other tvs in house still trips. still trips if tv and box switched off at mains and cable lead inserted into either cable box ( if this connected to lcd tv, no trip if connected to other tv's) or directly to lcd tv

keith, June 2009

Jay makes a very valid point about cumulative Earth Leakage... Nothing goes wrong until the satellite aerial is connected - Does it trip if the power to the virgin box is removed completely? What if the Virgin box is powered on and the TV power removed completely? What if everything is powered on and connected (except the satellite dish) and you run a wire from the shield connection of the satellite box to a convenient earth point - The Virgin box may have some odd voltage lurking on the satellite aerial connector-shield or signal connector.

All sounds very odd and very scary so take care - The RCD is giving you a strong message.

Peccavi, May 2009

You could have a large amount of earth-leakage due to having several PC/Media appliances in the house. Connecting the aerial could be pushing the limit of the RCD over the edge. You could disconnect some of these and try again. If it stops tripping, you can solve the problem permanently by having an RCBO fitted for the relevant circuit. Bear in mind that there could be a fault or faults which need addressing elsewhere in the property or as part of your AV system. You could also try using a different aerial booster.

Jay, May 2009