How to bypass an RCD and carry out an insulation resistance test on a circuit

[TonyTheTiger]

Hi all.

I'm a 4th year electrician currently awaiting to finish my trade test. (FICA in Scotland) the only parts I have to pass is the testing part and fault finding.

I'm currently studying testing as this is something I have done the minimum of onsite.

Could someone tell me how I would bypass the rcd when carrying out an insulation resistance test as I don't want to damage the RCD. I will attach a picture of board I am testing

Thanks in advance

 

[Pete999]

Hi all. View attachment 44150

I'm a 4th year electrician currently awaiting to finish my trade test. (FICA in Scotland) the only parts I have to pass is the testing part and fault finding.

I'm currently studying testing as this is something I have done the minimum of onsite.

Could someone tell me how I would bypass the rcd when carrying out an insulation resistance test as I don't want to damage the RCD. I will attach a picture of board I am testing

Thanks in advance

Safe Isolation, and test from the load side with the cables disconnected. Or can you swap the RCD temporarily with an Isolator to do your testing?

 

[JOURNEYMAN]

As Pete999 said. Isolate and test from load side with cables disconnected.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Hi Pete. Good to hear from you again aswel sir! You may not remember but you helped me with some feedback a while ago aswel. I really appreciate it mate & also a big thanks to you journeyman for taking the time to help me. Im truly grateful.

I cannot swap the RCD for an isolater unfortunately. I am just having a look at my On site guide right now before I go back to the board. I will keep you both posted.

Thanks once again, sincerely!

 

[Pete999]

Hi Pete. Good to hear from you again aswel sir! You may not remember but you helped me with some feedback a while ago aswel. I really appreciate it mate & also a big thanks to you journeyman for taking the time to help me. Im truly grateful.

I cannot swap the RCD for an isolater unfortunately. I am just having a look at my On site guide right now before I go back to the board. I will keep you both posted.

Thanks once again, sincerely!

No worries mate, glad to help.

 

[telectrix]

if that board is your install, you need a kick up the arse. bare copper exposed on the L incomer to the main switch.

 

[MDJ]

if that board is your install, you need a kick up the arse. bare copper exposed on the L incomer to the main switch.

Yup, however the board is a bit tatty, he will get there in the end though, still 4 years in, should be better.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Would have

if that board is your install, you need a kick up the arse. bare copper exposed on the L incomer to the main switch.

Look at the second RCD.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Not my Install lads. It's the consumer unit of my Girlfriend's house. She lives in a council house so it must have been the local council who installed the board. Ive worked predominantly on domestic new builds so fitting out Consumer units is one of my better skills. I agree the copper exposed on the terminations leaves a lot to be desired. I'll fix it as I go along. Thanks again everybody regardless if it's advice or criticism, I appreciate all the feedback .

 

[KEV 1 N]

if that board is your install, you need a kick up the arse. bare copper exposed on the L incomer to the main switch.

As well the bare copper, the strands appear to have been damaged when stripped.
The cross sectional area is compromised here....

 

[KEV 1 N]

Just noticed this as well....oh dear!

 

[telectrix]

Just noticed this as well....oh dear!
View attachment 44157

that 25mm looks as if it's been stripped by a beaver. i always cut the outer sheath back 1/4" so you can see the brown/blue ibsulation layer. then you know if you'f put it in the wrong hole.

 

[Baddegg]

Shouldn’t they be glanded off?

 

[Baddegg]

If not for the meter I’d have thought that was a training rig!

 

[telectrix]

Shouldn’t they be glanded off?View attachment 44159

if you mean the tails, then No, but they should be secured to the back board and the opening should be IP20X or better.

 

[Baddegg]

I stand corrected thanks telectrix

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Thought it was only front and sides which have to be IP2X?

 

[LankyWill]

whats with that first RCCB? whys is it so big in comparison to the other?

 

[telectrix]

whats with that first RCCB? whys is it so big in comparison to the other?

it's just the design of the starbreaker board.

 

[telectrix]

Thought it was only front and sides which have to be IP2X?

top is IP4X. all other sides IP2X. think front is also IP2X, but unsure of the latter.

 

[westward10]

Why can't the majority of people bare enough of the conductor back so the insulation meets the earth and neutral bars.

 

[Dave OCD]

I'd have thought the front is also IP4X Tel, the most likely and worst place for an unsuspecting finger to go, in a manner of speaking.

 

[telectrix]

I'd have thought the front is also IP4X Tel, the most likely and worst place for an unsuspecting finger to go, in a manner of speaking.

agreed, but..... IP2X is 12.5mm, or finger will not enter up to80mm.

 

[Dave OCD]

I'm sure one of the regs geeks will let us know for sure Tel.

 

[telectrix]

from the IP codes explained courtesy of IET:

• 2 Solid objects 12.5 mm in diameter or more will not enter,protection for fingers up to 80 mm long

 

[buzzlightyear]

or finger will not enter up to80mm.

behind you .

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I'm sure one of the regs geeks will let us know for sure Tel.

Yep.

 

[Wilko]

Why can't the majority of people bare enough of the conductor back so the insulation meets the earth and neutral bars.

Insufficient focus on neatness - or - insufficient OCD in our ranks .

 

[telectrix]

i like to see a couple of mil copper bottom side of the E and N bars, so you know you've not screwed onto the insulation. tin hat on.

 

[DPG]

Why can't the majority of people bare enough of the conductor back so the insulation meets the earth and neutral bars.

Doesn't really matter since the whole metal bar is exposed.