questioning rcd re shower installation

[Deleted member 26818]

They’re going to have a hard time finding a Reg which says RCD protection isn’t required.

 

[Des 56]

Its all well taking manufacturers instructions into account,that is as long as a linguist with expertise in English words for Chinese and Japanese infant school interpretations is on hand

He would need to explain exactly or even in most cases give some idea of what information it is they intend to impart to the unlucky spark who initially reads the garbage

 

[Ian1981]

MF instructions are sometimes bizarre to say the least, I connected an oven for a family member the other day and the instructions said that this appliance must be or maybe was should be connected with a 45 amp fuse as the ocpd.
Does this mean that I can’t use an mcb rated at 32 or 40 amps as the ocpd? This is where I ignore them ha

 

[Andy78]

You can show them regulations and instructions. They aren't required to listen though. If they don't want an RCD fitting you can also walk off to a better customer.

 

[littlespark]

Hypothetical.

You’re asked to change a shower as old on is busted. OCPD is an mcb, no rcd. Like for like replacement? Do you fit an rcd to that circuit as per regs?

You’re asked to change a ceiling pendant. Old one is busted. OCPD is an mcb, no rcd. Like for like replacement? Do you fit an rcd as per regs?

I was going to use the “change a lightbulb” example, but the thread would just go into a bulb v lamp discussion, and we’ve covered that elsewhere a number of times.

 

[Andy78]

Hypothetical.

You’re asked to change a shower as old on is busted. OCPD is an mcb, no rcd. Like for like replacement? Do you fit an rcd to that circuit as per regs?

You’re asked to change a ceiling pendant. Old one is busted. OCPD is an mcb, no rcd. Like for like replacement? Do you fit an rcd as per regs?

I was going to use the “change a lightbulb” example, but the thread would just go into a bulb v lamp discussion, and we’ve covered that elsewhere a number of times.

The manufacturer's instructions for the light fitting would not require the fitting to be RCD protected. The shower's MI would.
Being of an understanding as to the hazards present with electricity in a shower area and the regulations that deal with these hazards I would tend to follow the shower's MI.
I would not see any need to add RCD protection to a lighting circuit for a change of fitting.

 

[StephenRowley]

however if you tell the customer that it has to be installed with an RCd as per MFI and he/she is a smart arse and pulls some reg out of the air, you can look as though you're trying to stitch them over.

Tell that customer to Oscar foxtrot and find they should find another sparkie

 

[littlespark]

The manufacturer's instructions for the light fitting would not require the fitting to be RCD protected. The shower's MI would.
Being of an understanding as to the hazards present with electricity in a shower area and the regulations that deal with these hazards I would tend to follow the shower's MI.
I would not see any need to add RCD protection to a lighting circuit for a change of fitting.

Give it time.
Im sure the MI of the shower mentions RCD protection now as it came into the regulations and the shower manufacturers followed afterwards.
Eventually, light fitting manufacturers will do the same.

 

[Andy78]

Give it time.
Im sure the MI of the shower mentions RCD protection now as it came into the regulations and the shower manufacturers followed afterwards.
Eventually, light fitting manufacturers will do the same.

I won't be holding my breath on that one knowing how out of touch most manufacturers are with such matters. I'll give it a decade then check again.

 

[Charlie_]

Manufacturers instructions should just contain that 1 line....
Must be installed by a suitably qualified electrician.