Nuts for RCDs!

[Dan23584]

Has anyone else experienced other sparks going nuts for RCD's and thinking they are required for pretty much everything?

I recently did the installation at my local CEF branch and had another spark telling me I should have fitted a dual RCD board! I reminded him that the install was in trunking and conduit ( no less than 50mm issue) and also not in a domestic situation. All sockets were in The office, apart form an outside RCD socket and a couple of sockets in the warehouse that were on an rcbo ( they were near the door to outside).

He still said "well I think it's good practice to fit them in most situations for optimising protection". I just bot my tongue told him to check his regs book and went on about my merry way.

 

[Octopus]

I agree with the other sparky that its good practice to always fit RCD protection for sockets.

 

[Dan23584]

These were for computers, and not accessible by any members of the public so for use by supervised or trained people. In there H&S it covers the use and misuse of socket outlets. He was saying I should have fit a dual RCD board to protect everything!

 

[Octopus]

Hum, maybe somebody who concentrates on domestic maybe

 

[Deservices]

These were for computers, and not accessible by any members of the public so for use by supervised or trained people. In there H&S it covers the use and misuse of socket outlets. He was saying I should have fit a dual RCD board to protect everything!

I would of done the same in a office environment, last thing they would want is all there computers going down just because a bulb goes in a light, or somebody plugs a dodgy item in a socket in warehouse. Looks like you did the best protection for the job in hand.

 

[Plonker 3]

As long as regulation 411.3.3 is met then what you have done is perfectly fine.

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I would of done the same in a office environment, last thing they would want is all there computers going down just because a bulb goes in a light, or somebody plugs a dodgy item in a socket in warehouse. Looks like you did the best protection for the job in hand.

Just because it is in a office area and may nuisance trip is no reason to by pass the regs.

 

[Hawk81]

I find that a lot of domestic sparks think that the dual RCD board is the end all and be all of boards. RCD everything is their answer. Not always needed or best practice

 

[Taylortwocities]

Multiple office computers + peripherals + RCDs = nuisance tripping because of mains filter components

 

[Plonker 3]

Multiple office computers + peripherals + RCDs = nuisance tripping because of mains filter components

Well separate your circuits accordingly. Simple really.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Whose signing it of for Design, installation and testing ?..You ? if so whatever you do comes back to your door, if someone else is signing it off..that's thier problem ! The computer scenario, yes I agree with, consider putting IT on a high integrity earth circuit, labeled appropriately,and noted on the cert, in any other scenario this 'instructed persons' clause just sucks, you can absolutely 100% guarantee can you that an 'ordinary person' ISN'T going to use these sockets ? I doubt it ! For sockets I would alway RCD them UNLESS I can justify that under no circumstances ever will they be used by 'ordinary persons' or members of the public.
ATB
J

 

[DurhamSparky]

I think what you have done sounds ok .

 

[Dan23584]

It is me designing and inspecting the install, I feel confident that the installation I have done is safe and meets all the requirements in the BGB. There few occasions where fitting a nn RCD protected circuit supplying socket outlets is suitable and I believe this to be one of them. too many sparks think that RCD's are the only way to have a safe installation, I bet everyone and there mum was getting electric shocks before RCD's were introduced.

 

[oldtimer]

Did you use a Proteus board then lol

 

[Dan23584]

Did you use a Proteus board then lol

I did actually yeah lol. they supplied all the kit so never had a problem with waiting for materials.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

It is me designing and inspecting the install, I feel confident that the installation I have done is safe and meets all the requirements in the BGB. There few occasions where fitting a nn RCD protected circuit supplying socket outlets is suitable and I believe this to be one of them. too many sparks think that RCD's are the only way to have a safe installation, I bet everyone and there mum was getting electric shocks before RCD's were introduced.

if your signing it off..it's your call, but equally I don't feel if someone did RCD a similar circuit, that makes them 'wrong' and you 'right' it's up to the designer to interpret the regs and apply them as they see fit, and for the signatory, in this case you, to sign it off, if the cleaner cops an --- winder off her vacuum fed from your non RCD sockets, it's you that has to justify that interpretation, in this case you feel you can so its all good !
J

 

[oldtimer]

The thing is that your are in a position and so are they that they could have fitted RCBOs and split the IT circuits up

 

[Dan23584]

I wasn't looking for confirmation of what I have done, its my call and I made it. merely discussing the way RCDs seem to be getting used.

 

[Plonker 3]

Obviously the cost of splitting RCD circuits for IT is going to come into play, but me personally can't see a reason not to RCD protect virtually all socket outlets these days.

But it is your --- on the line should the brown stuff hit the fan.

 

[Engineer54]

Reading this, Makes me wonder how we have all survived without RCD devices over all these years... We should all be dead or frightened to switch a light or socket on...lol!!

I'm with Dan on this one, far too much reliance on the all singing, all dancing ''Cover All'' RCD devices these day's. They are NOT always required on every circuit and in every situation...

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Reading this, Makes me wonder how we have all survived without RCD devices over all these years... We should all be dead or frightened to switch a light or socket on...lol!!

I'm with Dan on this one, far too much reliance on the all singing, all dancing ''Cover All'' RCD devices these day's. They are NOT always required on every circuit and in every situation...

Who said they were ? The OP was seemingly criticising another sparks interpretation of the need for RCD protection on his installation, as stated its his call, that doesn't make the other guy completely wrong !
J