10mA RCD for bathroom circuits

[kingeri]

Been to look at a job this morning for a CU change, customer the type who wants to have his say on every tiny detail. He has already bought the CU as well, a Wylex RCBO unit.....

I pointed out that the RCBO ratings he has bought don't align with what I actually need...and that some will need to be swapped. So far, so good.

He then says he wants to include 10mA RCD protection for all circuits in the bathroom. This will be lighting, shower and spa bath pump. I point out that I don't think Wylex do 10mA RCBOs....and if they do why hasn't he bought them instead of 30mA ones...to which he said he why can't I add the 10mA after the RCBOs. I tried to tell him that having two RCDs in series isn't great as they won't discriminate and in this case would actually be pointless. I also said that 30mA protection is the accepted standard for this job. Nevertheless, he still wants it.

I told him I'll be back next week, but he gave me a headache. Just wondered what any of you guys would do in this situation?

 

[telectrix]

guy is a pain in the arse. either tell him you're too busy, or quote double the first figure you thought.

 

[Octopus]

Customers who think they know better AND buy the parts that they think are correct are not worth working for .......... its that simple IMHO.

 

[kingeri]

Ha yes that's how I feel TBH. He'd probably be standing over my shoulder the whole time criticising my work anyway.

 

[Charlie_]

Apologise, tell him you were mistaken and that you won’t be back next week

 

[kingeri]

Apologise, tell him you were mistaken and that you won’t be back next week

Think that might be the way I'll go....
Have you ever had the 10mA thing?? This guy says he once 'had an electric shock off a tap'...hence his paranoia I think.

 

[Strima]

Customers like this are too much hassle and will cause you no end of problems, tell him to stick his job up his bum.

 

[telectrix]

Customers like this are too much hassle and will cause you no end of problems, tell him to stick his job up his bum.

what RCD rating for his bum?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Those Layzspa jacuzzis come with an in line 10mA RCD, you can also obtain them as RCD sockets.
I have heard of 10mA RCDs being used for medical and laboratory installations.

 

[Pete999]

Been to look at a job this morning for a CU change, customer the type who wants to have his say on every tiny detail. He has already bought the CU as well, a Wylex RCBO unit.....

I pointed out that the RCBO ratings he has bought don't align with what I actually need...and that some will need to be swapped. So far, so good.

He then says he wants to include 10mA RCD protection for all circuits in the bathroom. This will be lighting, shower and spa bath pump. I point out that I don't think Wylex do 10mA RCBOs....and if they do why hasn't he bought them instead of 30mA ones...to which he said he why can't I add the 10mA after the RCBOs. I tried to tell him that having two RCDs in series isn't great as they won't discriminate and in this case would actually be pointless. I also said that 30mA protection is the accepted standard for this job. Nevertheless, he still wants it.

I told him I'll be back next week, but he gave me a headache. Just wondered what any of you guys would do in this situation?

Your customer will be onto you for every little thing, all OK for call outs bur will become a nuisance to you, if you can put up with that then go ahead, if not and you value your sanity, walk.

 

[Risteard]

Those Layzspa jacuzzis come with an in line 10mA RCD, you can also obtain them as RCD sockets.
I have heard of 10mA RCDs being used for medical and laboratory installations.

Schools used to use them. Certainly not a common device nowadays.

 

[kingeri]

Thanks guys, I think I will give this job a miss. I never heard of 10mA RCD protection in a domestic bathroom, I have only encountered them infrequently in any situation....the chap said he got the idea from a relative who lives in Spain. Maybe they use them over there.

 

[Octopus]

Haven't come across any for a while but ebay is your friend!

10mA RCBO | eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=10mA+RCBO&_sacat=0

 

[Charlie_]

I’ve only used them for equestrian installations

 

[kingeri]

Thanks Murdoch, I had already looked but wasn't inspired by price or condition of most of them. Also, would need a B6, B40 and probably a B6, B10 or B16. Anyhow....I'm not going back so who cares!!

 

[buzzlightyear]

the chap said he got the idea from a relative who lives in Spain. Maybe they use them over there.

no chance of 10ma everything is 30ma over in tomato land .

 

[kingeri]

I’ve only used them for equestrian installations

Yes I understand that is an application for them. Never done anything like that myself.

 

[Pete999]

Your customer will be onto you for every little thing, all OK for call outs bur will become a nuisance to you, if you can put up with that then go ahead, if not and you value your sanity, walk.

Sorry to say this Mate "bad idea to agree to let the customer supply parts in the first place"

 

[The Ghost]

I would make polite excuses and walk on that one no doubt about it.

 

[kingeri]

Sorry to say this Mate "bad idea to agree to let the customer supply parts in the first place"

I never would agree to this unless it was a light fitting or something. He just produced the CU when I got there.

 

[Toneyz]

Price the job as per BS7671 using 30mA slightly higher than you usually do (not too high that you would be ripping him off) and make it clear that it is with 30mA only.

 

[The Ghost]

You would be forever trying to sort out nuisance tripping.

 

[richy3333]

Hager used to, and I think still do 10mA RCBO’s

Id tell the bloke the truth - that you’re not doing the work coz he’s an arse, otherwise he’ll go through life not knowing it

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

If any doubt, walk away.

 

[James]

I would politely become far too busy to take on the job.

 

[Tony Reidy]

Been to look at a job this morning for a CU change, customer the type who wants to have his say on every tiny detail. He has already bought the CU as well, a Wylex RCBO unit.....

I pointed out that the RCBO ratings he has bought don't align with what I actually need...and that some will need to be swapped. So far, so good.

He then says he wants to include 10mA RCD protection for all circuits in the bathroom. This will be lighting, shower and spa bath pump. I point out that I don't think Wylex do 10mA RCBOs....and if they do why hasn't he bought them instead of 30mA ones...to which he said he why can't I add the 10mA after the RCBOs. I tried to tell him that having two RCDs in series isn't great as they won't discriminate and in this case would actually be pointless. I also said that 30mA protection is the accepted standard for this job. Nevertheless, he still wants it.

I told him I'll be back next week, but he gave me a headache. Just wondered what any of you guys would do in this situation?

Walk away, customers who think they know better are nothing but trouble

 

[PEG]

He sounds like he is on top of his specification...let him crack on. He can use the same methods he used,for the CU,to find the RCD he needs.
He probably will find someone to take on his project,so let them have all the fun and glory

 

[Toneyz]

I could not see a 10mA RCBO on their online catalogue.

 

[Michaelp]

I used 10mA before.Was legrand rcd use for a workbench area

 

[freddo]

I turned an old Wylex 10mA RCD into an RCD socket by punching a round hole in it and fitting an MK panel socket. I use it a lot for on site appliance repairs where I'm poking inside live appliances. Not as good as, but more practical to carry than a large isolation transformer, and better than nothing.

 

[edexlab]

Once had a customer who complained of shocks from kitchen sink tap
He'd been getting them for 2 years!

Took 30 mins to find the problem
I was testing for voltage between tap and earth from the cooker outlet
nothing
He said put your hand on it
Nothing
He was insistent so I did it several times and got after 10 mins got a small shock
Tested with meter +120v rising to +200v
( I forget the exact readings)
????
Checked the polarity at incomer
230 to earth nothing between line and neutral
So I rigged up a temporary spike in his garden tested between wire and N terminal and got over 200v

While doing this I noticed the pole transformer with newish cable and the orange sleeve covering on the cable coming to the house
I said is that new ?

He said oh they changed it 2 years ago......
Quick call to WPD they came out to check

The guy tested it and said @#$% some idiots connected the N to a phase

He called a manager who came out and started trying to explain it away as something got broken inside Tx from the wind!

 

[edexlab]

Once had a customer who complained of shocks from kitchen sink tap
He'd been getting them for 2 years!

Took 30 mins to find the problem
I was testing for voltage between tap and earth from the cooker outlet
nothing
He said put your hand on it
Nothing
He was insistent so I did it several times and got after 10 mins got a small shock
Tested with meter +120v rising to +200v
( I forget the exact readings)
????
Checked the polarity at incomer
230 to earth nothing between line and neutral
So I rigged up a temporary spike in his garden tested between wire and N terminal and got over 200v

While doing this I noticed the pole transformer with newish cable and the orange sleeve covering on the cable coming to the house
I said is that new ?

He said oh they changed it 2 years ago......
Quick call to WPD they came out to check

The guy tested it and said @#$% some idiots connected the N to a phase

He called a manager who came out and started trying to explain it away as something got broken inside Tx from the wind!

 

[DPG]

Maybe the guy who wants the 10mA RCD keeps horses in his bathroom.

 

[kingeri]

An update on this one. I rang him on Monday and told him where I stood and that I am happy to do any work he wants doing so long as it is to BS7671, and the 10mA thing ain't happening....and he started crying....actually crying. I asked him what's wrong and he hung up. Odd fella he is.

 

[DPG]

How odd. To be fair if someone wanted 10mA protection then fair enough, just put a disclaimer about nuisance tripping. Customer happy and job done.

 

[Bobster]

Don't see what the issue is with fitting 10mA protection for the bathroom is?

It's not like it's going to generate enough leakage current to trip as a nuisance. It's only lights, a shower and an extractor. An those will be split between 2 devices.

They're an available product, although not common. I'd have just priced the job, it's going to be more expensive but it's what the customer wants.

 

[Jjc]

Been to look at a job this morning for a CU change, customer the type who wants to have his say on every tiny detail. He has already bought the CU as well, a Wylex RCBO unit.....

I pointed out that the RCBO ratings he has bought don't align with what I actually need...and that some will need to be swapped. So far, so good.

He then says he wants to include 10mA RCD protection for all circuits in the bathroom. This will be lighting, shower and spa bath pump. I point out that I don't think Wylex do 10mA RCBOs....and if they do why hasn't he bought them instead of 30mA ones...to which he said he why can't I add the 10mA after the RCBOs. I tried to tell him that having two RCDs in series isn't great as they won't discriminate and in this case would actually be pointless. I also said that 30mA protection is the accepted standard for this job. Nevertheless, he still wants it.

I told him I'll be back next week, but he gave me a headache. Just wondered what any of you guys would do in this situation?

tell him to get someone else to do it. Don't take ---- from any wise ahole

 

[tudore]

what RCD rating for his bum?

Forget protection, just don't go there!

 

[Charlie_]

@tudore why did you disagree with my post?
New rules, you have to give a reason now

 

[Markyd]

Ask to see his Qualifications