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[davidrnewman]

Today I started charging my Zero DSR from a 13 A socket at home (at 239 V), when the battery was 45% charged.

When it got to 51%, the circuit breaker in my house for the downstairs sockets cut out. I tried again, with everything else on the circuit switched off - it happened again. I tried a different cable (instead of the long cable that came with the bike). Again the circuit breaker cut out.

What could be causing the circuit breaker to blow? What should I investigate?

This may not be related, but when I started charging, the estimated time to completion occasionally changed from 7.21 hours down to 5.30 hours and back again. The air temperature was 2 C.

[Richard230]

Do you have a GFI on your circuit? There have been reports in the past that a sensitive GFI can cause the circuit to cut off when using the OBC.

[Crissa]

Also, if it's not the only thing on the circuit... You said downstairs outlets.  You really don't want it sharing wiring with much of anything at all.

It's like a space heater.  Put two on any shared circuits and you'll have this crop up.

-Crissa

[Crilly]

Have you been able to charge it on this circuit before?  If yes, the circuit breaker could be going bad.  Plus if the wire on the circuit breaker could be loose and heating it up.

[davidrnewman]

I tried again on the upstairs sockets, with nothing else plugged in. The circuit breaker triggered as soon as I turned on the power. (Note that these are 32A 240V circuits. The 13A fuse in the plug didn't blow.)

Also, if it's not the only thing on the circuit... You said downstairs outlets.  You really don't want it sharing wiring with much of anything at all.

It's like a space heater.  Put two on any shared circuits and you'll have this crop up.

-Crissa

[davidrnewman]

What is a GFI? Is it the same as an RCD?

Do you have a GFI on your circuit? There have been reports in the past that a sensitive GFI can cause the circuit to cut off when using the OBC.

[Richard230]

What is a GFI? Is it the same as an RCD?

Do you have a GFI on your circuit? There have been reports in the past that a sensitive GFI can cause the circuit to cut off when using the OBC.

Ground Fault Interrupter. It is a device that is very sensitive to shorts in the electrical circuit and shuts down the power if it gets a hint of a short. In modern homes they are required to be installed on the power outlets at locations like bathrooms and garages. My home doesn't have any of these devices so I don't have personal experience in how they function, but it has been reported by some people on this forum that the Zero charger will trigger the GFI and shut down the power to that outlet. It seems to depend on the design of the device.  However, I am pretty sure that it does not trigger your circuit breaker, just the outlet. So if your problem is tripping the breaker, that is likely not your issue.

[davidrnewman]

OK, that's what we call in the UK a residual current detector. It picks up currents returning through the neutral wire. Those are built into the panel with the circuit breakers. Although my panel is so old it doesn't have a separate RCD.

It looks like there is a transient current on start up that is triggering the circuit breaker. It is too quick to blow the 13A fuse.

The Zero is now charging through the charge tank from a public charging point. It is only the charger connected to the kettle plug that is playing up.

[ESokoloff]

Today I started charging my Zero DSR from a 13 A socket at home (at 239 V), when the battery was 45% charged.

When it got to 51%, the circuit breaker in my house for the downstairs sockets cut out. I tried again, with everything else on the circuit switched off - it happened again. I tried a different cable (instead of the long cable that came with the bike). Again the circuit breaker cut out.

What could be causing the circuit breaker to blow? What should I investigate?

This may not be related, but when I started charging, the estimated time to completion occasionally changed from 7.21 hours down to 5.30 hours and back again. The air temperature was 2 C.

You’ve eliminated all possibilities but the stock onboard charger, “kettle socket”, & interconnecting cable. 
The issue is within those three.   
Is the bike still under warranty? 
If so make an appointment with your Zero dealer.
If not break out a VOM or make an appointment with your Zero dealer.

[Crissa]

Yes, an RCD is a GFI.

-Crissa