LED STRIP CIRCUIT TRIPPING RDBO OR RCD

Problem
When the LED strip lighting is switched on, the RCD trips and cuts the power. This occurs in installations where
multiple LED drivers or transformers are used to power the LED strips.
What’s Causing It
Each LED driver contains internal capacitors. When power is applied, these capacitors charge instantly. This
creates a sharp surge of current known as inrush current. When many drivers switch on at the same time, the
combined inrush current is significantly higher than the normal running current. The RCD measures the balance
between the Live and Neutral currents. During this surge, the current may not return evenly through the Neutral.
Even a small imbalance or delayed return causes the RCD to interpret it as a leakage fault and trip. This does not
happen after the lights are running; it happens only at the moment of switching on because of the capacitor
charging behavior in the drivers.
Why It Happened
This happens more often when: • Many LED drivers are on one circuit • Neutrals are shared between circuits • A
driver is weak or leaking current internally • The RCD is very sensitive (e.g., 30mA Type AC) • The lighting and
sockets share the same RCD In short: Too many drivers start at once, creating a surge and neutral imbalance ®
RCD trips.
Solution Steps
1) Put the LED drivers on a dedicated lighting circuit (RCBO) so the neutrals are not shared. 2) Tighten all neutral
and earth terminations in the DB and junction boxes. 3) Test each LED driver individually. Replace any unit that
causes tripping. 4) Spread the drivers across more than one circuit if possible.
Last Option
If the above steps are completed and the RCD still trips, install an inrush current limiter (such as Mean Well
ICL-16R / ICL-28R). This device reduces the surge at startup and prevents the imbalance that triggers the RCD.