Dual rcd board

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

Just looked at a board in a friends house next door to me . I have same board with only one rcd fitted . His has two fitted but I think the extra one has been added at a later date as rcd looks newer than everything else so his is now dual rcd board and everything is covered by rcd . I know you can buy a blank board and put what you want in to suit but can you “ convert “ a single rcd board to a dual . All looks fine but would manufacturers warranty be invalid or anything like that . Tia

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

Do you have any documentation for your electrical installation? If so and it all checks out, it would take an electrician approximately an hour to put another RCD in if no problems are encountered, you will need to post pictures to whoever you get to do the work so they can pre order the correct RCD required.

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Do you have any documentation for your electrical installation? If so and it all checks out, it would take an electrician approximately an hour to put another RCD in if no problems are encountered, you will need to post pictures to whoever you get to do the work so they can pre order the correct RCD required.

The additional rcd is already in , but can you do that ? I live next door and mine and my other neighbor only have one rcd . Looks like someone has added and rcd to cover both sides of board . Just making sure you can do this as when it was fitted it would only have had one rcd in board

sheppertonspark · Mar 21, 2021

Perhaps more importantly, is it a type AC RCD you would be adding ? Could possibly be wasting your time and money.
Why ? because when subjected to DC from electronics they may fail to work, not worth taking a chance.

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

sheppertonspark said:
Perhaps more importantly, is it a type AC RCD you would be adding ? Could possibly be wasting your time and money.
Why ? because when subjected to DC from electronics they may fail to work, not worth taking a chance.

The additional rcd is already installed , but can you do this if the board originally only had one rcd fitted

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

Quick answer Yes, no different to replacing a faulty MCB or any other unit in the board, more important is getting a compatible one i.e. busbar lining up correct size for the board in height etc, put in a type A using a type AC is not worth it.

SJD · Mar 21, 2021

Zx6rmac said:
The additional rcd is already installed , but can you do this if the board originally only had one rcd fitted

I think some people are reading your posts as "can I do this" whereas you appear to be asking if the neighbours board is OK. Though possibly with a view to doing it yourself.

I would expect there already to be 2 neutral bars, and so it is a case of having the correct internal cables to correctly route the N for the new RCD, plus the correct L busbar. So as mentioned above, yes it can be done. And nowadays it should be a Type A RCD, whereas in the past it would have been a Type AC.

sheppertonspark · Mar 21, 2021

Zx6rmac said:
The additional rcd is already installed , but can you do this if the board originally only had one rcd fitted

You are supposed to seek the Manufacturer's advice because the Board will be type tested with what it was originally supplied with. I realise I didn't directly answer your question the first time. Are you aware of the potential dangers from type AC RCDs ? Chances are the original fitted RCD is type AC. It has been shown that these may be unreliable in a modern installation. By "unreliable" I mean they may not trip when you are receiving an electric shock or your house is about to catch fire. Strange times, manufacturers, NICEIC keeping really quiet about this. Possibly potentialy dangerous type AC Dual RCD Consumer Units on sale at knock down prices to get rid of the stock. Something of a scandal in my opinion. You can identify the RCD by the symbol on it. Type AC has an "S" on its side sine wave only. Type A has the same with a dot-dash line below it. Please take a photo of it and post. You can possibly improve your safety by adding a new RCD and changing the existing one also.

sheppertonspark · Mar 21, 2021

SJD said:
I think some people are reading your posts as "can I do this" whereas you appear to be asking if the neighbours board is OK. Though possibly with a view to doing it yourself.

I would expect there already to be 2 neutral bars, and so it is a case of having the correct internal cables to correctly route the N for the new RCD, plus the correct L busbar. So as mentioned above, yes it can be done. And nowadays it should be a Type A RCD, whereas in the past it would have been a Type AC.

Lets see if we get a picture of the CU and RCD. I would agree best route new CU with future proofing for AFDD

westward10 · Mar 21, 2021

Can it be done, yes probably but what you need to ask is should it be done. If your consumer unit only has one rcd then this is what the manufacturer intended and by altering this you are going beyond manufacturers guidance.

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

@sheppertonspark nice bit of scare mongering there.

sheppertonspark · Mar 21, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
@sheppertonspark nice bit of scare mongering there.

Hi Mike, I would be interested in your view on the type A type AC RCD situation. NICEIC seem reluctant to comment. NAPIT say potentially dangerous (in the main). What do you think please ?
There can't be many places with just resistive loads and no electronics (for DC interference).

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

It is fool hardy to put in an AC type RCD when A type are available for only pence more, may have been different when the price gap was wider, but for the past eleven years I have only put in A type.

See post 6.

telectrix · Mar 21, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
@sheppertonspark nice bit of scare mongering there.

where's this D.C. coming from. any D.C. in our pad is 12V and not directly connected to the 240V install.

Deleted account · Mar 21, 2021

sheppertonspark said:
Hi Mike, I would be interested in your view on the type A type AC RCD situation. NICEIC seem reluctant to comment. NAPIT say potentially dangerous (in the main). What do you think please ?
There can't be many places with just resistive loads and no electronics (for DC interference).

Type A ,B, AC is relevant in the electrical 8nstallation world, but not in the context of this thread. The RCD debate is on various other threads.

answer to original question: you probably can add an RCD later, I have done this many times in the past, but I would need to do a site visit prior to giving definitive answer

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

telectrix said:
where's this D.C. coming from. any D.C. in our pad is 12V and not directly connected to the 240V install.

Was that directed at me Tel?

Deleted account · Mar 21, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Was that directed at me Tel?

I don’t think it was, I noticed that the reply didnt Seem right for the post you sent.

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

sheppertonspark said:
Lets see if we get a picture of the CU and RCD. I would agree best route new CU with future proofing for AFDD

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

If that is the same as your next door neighbour, there is no room for two RCD's, or I suspect the photo does not show the whole CU?

Mike Johnson · Mar 21, 2021

Paignton pete said:
I don’t think it was, I noticed that the reply didnt Seem right for the post you sent.

Yes I think it was aimed at the scaremonger, he looking to completely re-wire and put in a new CU without visiting the property.

radiohead · Mar 21, 2021

Presumably the world is littered with corpses due to type AC RCD's.

telectrix · Mar 21, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Was that directed at me Tel?

nope.wasat the scaremonger, telling us we're doomed unless we fit type A. or type b on iet amendmet 1, type c on amendment2 etc.

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
If that is the same as your next door neighbour, there is no room for two RCD's, or I suspect the photo does not show the whole CU?

No that’s just the rcd in my board

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

Zx6rmac said:
No that’s just the rcd in my board

Exactly same as next door but he has two rcd

telectrix · Mar 21, 2021

talk about keeping upwith the Jones's. best fit 3 RCDs to be 1 step ahead.

Zx6rmac · Mar 21, 2021

telectrix said:
talk about keeping upwith the Jones's. best fit 3 RCDs to be 1 step ahead.

telectrix said:

talk about keeping upwith the Jones's. best fit 3 RCDs to be 1 step ahead.

Click to expand...

telectrix I’m not fitting any , I’m asking if his board having another rcd thrown in at some point is safe or not

westward10 · Mar 21, 2021

It would depend whether compatible parts have been used and whether it is within the scope of the manufacturers guide lines.

sheppertonspark · Mar 22, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Yes I think it was aimed at the scaremonger, he looking to completely re-wire and put in a new CU without visiting the property.

Ha ha ha, rewire as well I don't remember that. I think it's time to bale out from this forum again.

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