Question about tripping fuse

[QueenOfThePumpkins]

Hi everyone,

About this time last year, the fuse in our electric fire tripped as I switched it on, making a very loud bang. After I flicked the switch back on the fuse board it appeared to be working fine, along with all of the other lights I'd just switched on (including the chrismas tree). Well same thing has just happened again! Could it just be overload with the Christmas lights on as well? I'm a bit worried that something is wrong with the electric fire, as it was that both times. I'm also not sure if a loud bang (definitely from the fire and not from the fuse box) is normal... maybe I should stop using the fire for now. Anyone know?

Sounds like the fire is the issue. Unless you have Blackpool illuminations it isn't likely to be them

Also...if you have a bang, suggests you don't have an RCD fitted so suggest you look to get upgraded.

Oh dear... I just looked up what an RCD is, and it seems we do have one as there is a test button on the fuse box. I pressed it and now all the electric has gone off except the ceiling lights! Not sure what that means?!

turn off & unplug electric fire. than turn electric back on. if it does it again turn off your Christmas lights than back on again.

the test button as shown its a test for rcd it means it working.
could be overload or faulty appliance.
as you soon you switched on the electric fire you heard the bang
was it RCD tripping.
sound like faulty appliance.

It is probably a fault not an overload. Maybe the flex has been chewed by an animal or the plug is damaged.

When you said "the fuse in our electric fire" do you mean there is actually a fuse in the fire? Or did you mean the fuse in the plug? Or the breaker in the CU?

What letters and numbers are on the breaker that tripped? Does it say "B32?"

Do you keep the electric fire in a damp shed?

@PigletJohn yes, the switch that tripped says B32. It was the breaker I was referring to, but the bang definitely came from somewhere within the fire.

I have had a horrible thought... the fire is plugged into an external wall, where the DPC is stepped because we are on a hill. Basically the outside DPC is above ground and not bridged, but it's about 3 courses higher than the internal one (and the living room floor). I don't think it's ideal but was built that way due to the hill (house about 20 years old).

We've never had any signs of damp, but now I'm wondering...

Having said that, we've had some horrendous rain this year and it hasn't happened since about this time last year, despite regular use of the fire. It's a double socket which also serves the TV, and again is used pretty much daily with no issues. Your thoughts would be most welcome!

A bang inside the fire is quite worrying. Might have been a mouse inside. Might have been damp. Take the plug out and examine the plug, flex and socket. Stop using it unless you can find and rectify the fault. Save up for a new one.
Photos will give more clues.

Thanks @PigletJohn, will definitely stop using it. We only used it for the light effect anyway. I had a look in the back and nothing seemed amiss, though DH remembered that when it happened last time it shattered one of the bulbs...

Does the ground level thing sound worrying on a separate note? I have nightmares about selling this house, or damp becoming a problem that can never be fixed as it's how the house was built :(

Sorry I don't know. Can't visualise it.

I think I'll get an electrician round just to have a look at everything. I'm totally not bothered about getting rid of the fire. But now feeling very anxious that there might be some sort of fault within the house wiring itself, that only manifests when the fire is switched on... Hopefully the chap we use will be able to get to the bottom of it!