Kia Nuisance Tripping / Short or Earth Leakage

Kia home charger trips the house breaker or RCD as soon as charging starts.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Short circuit in output cable, Moisture inside charger enclosure, Faulty internal RCD/RCM module, Incorrect type of upstream RCD not compatible with EV chargers

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Repeated breaker or RCD tripping indicates a potential fault. Do not keep resetting without investigation.

  • 1. Visual inspection: Check the charger, cable, and connector for visible damage or water ingress.
  • 2. Drying period: If the unit has been exposed to heavy rain or washing, turn off power and allow it to dry for 24–48 hours before retrying.
  • 3. Test without vehicle: Turn on the breaker with no vehicle connected. If it trips immediately, the fault is in the charger or wiring, not the car.
  • 4. Electrician tests: Have an electrician perform insulation resistance and earth leakage tests on the charger circuit and verify that the upstream RCD type (e.g., Type A or B) matches Kia’s installation requirements.
  • 5. Replace damaged components: If tests show leakage or short, the output cable, RCD module, or power board may need replacement.
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Repair Difficulty

Professional Required 5/5

Required Part

Output Cable or Internal RCD Module
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