Testing a rcbo at db or end of circuit?

[beatboaby924y]

Hi Boys,

Just wondering if you guys could clear something up for me.

When testing a rcbo or rcd I would always test from the end of the circuit, for example a socket on a radial circuit.

However was talking to someone recently who told me they test from the load side of the rcbo or rcd at the db. Just wondering if this is ok to do?

I suppose it would save a bit of time walking back and forth from the db to the circuit under test if you performed the test at the db but not sure if it would be allowed or if the reading would be different from carrying the test out at the end of circuit side.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flanders]

Yes you can do this just watch out for MEM memshiled 2 ones you have to put a short peace of wire on them to test them or they will not operate with tester

 

[Pete999]

eh not sure what you mean Flanders

 

[Jay Sparks]

Yes you can do this just watch out for MEM memshiled 2 ones you have to put a short peace of wire on them to test them or they will not operate with tester

Yes, you need to do the same for some wylex ones aswell. You put a piece of 10 mm in a connector and then the connector on to one of your probes. Then you can reach the neutral in the rcbo.
And it is recommended that you test as close as possible to the rcbo, rcd.
Jay

 

[beatboaby924y]

Thanks

 

[Flanders]

The MEM Memshiled 2 RCBOs will not operate with the tester if you test them at the DB. There was a thread on this while back explaining why this happens. The way around it was to connect a short peace of cable onto the RCBO and test from the end of it or just carry out the test at any part of the circuit But in answer to the OP you can test at the DB.

 

[BES]

Yes you can do this just watch out for MEM memshiled 2 ones you have to put a short peace of wire on them to test them or they will not operate with tester

Yes, you need to do the same for some wylex ones aswell. You put a piece of 10 mm in a connector and then the connector on to one of your probes. Then you can reach the neutral in the rcbo.
And it is recommended that you test as close as possible to the rcbo, rcd.
Jay

Or use one of these

 

[shanky887614]

Are you testing the rcd/rcbo or the circuit?

Because he is just testing rcd/rcbo and there is no need to test the circuit because you have already done at least a zs

 

[Flanders]

Or use one of these

I can't see your picture very well is it a long test prong ?

 

[Flanders]

Thanks

There is a thanks Button

 

[Octopus]

Yes, you need to do the same for some wylex ones aswell. You put a piece of 10 mm in a connector and then the connector on to one of your probes. Then you can reach the neutral in the rcbo.
And it is recommended that you test as close as possible to the rcbo, rcd.
Jay

Interesting, never had any issues testing Wylex RCBO's or RCD's at the board!

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Are you testing the rcd/rcbo or the circuit?

Because he is just testing rcd/rcbo and there is no need to test the circuit because you have already done at least a zs

??????

 

[shanky887614]

Interesting, never had any issues testing Wylex RCBO's or RCD's at the board!

- - - Updated - - -



??????

One of the poster's stated they test rcd at furthest point.

This doesn't seem necessarily, as long as the other values from testing comply then it will not fail a properly functioning rcd/rcbo

After all we are only checking they trip in a certain time frame

 

[Jay Sparks]

Interesting, never had any issues testing Wylex RCBO's or RCD's at the board!

- - - Updated - - -



Honest sir, there horrible to test...lol
They really are a pain in the ---. My Megger probe just doesnt quite reach inside the neutral terminal, so I made a (GS38 approved) apdapter.....lol

 

[Risteard]

However was talking to someone recently who told me they test from the load side of the rcbo or rcd at the db. Just wondering if this is ok to do?

Not only is it OK - it is the correct way to test an RCD. They should not be tested with loads connected.

 

[Engineer54]

As Risteard states above, but also note that the manufacturers also recommend testing at their RCD device's terminals as well!! This is especially the case when officially recording RCD's values on test reports such as EICR's etc.... You're not testing the circuit, you're testing the RCD itself!!

 

[AA410]

Test at the board

 

[Geordie Spark]

Hi Boys,

Just wondering if you guys could clear something up for me.

When testing a rcbo or rcd I would always test from the end of the circuit, for example a socket on a radial circuit.

However was talking to someone recently who told me they test from the load side of the rcbo or rcd at the db. Just wondering if this is ok to do?

I suppose it would save a bit of time walking back and forth from the db to the circuit under test if you performed the test at the db but not sure if it would be allowed or if the reading would be different from carrying the test out at the end of circuit side.

Thanks in advance.

The object of the exercise is to test the RCD or RCBO so why the hell are you testing the circuit??? :30:

 

[Badged01]

The object of the exercise is to test the RCD or RCBO so why the hell are you testing the circuit???

Technically correct but Im just a lazy sod who finds it easier to test at the socket using my plug tester thingy that goes on the end of my cables! Unless of course I get a reading I dont like ......

 

[Flanders]

As long as all the loads are removed from the circuit you can test the tripping times OF THE rcd/rcbo at any point of the circuit, as stated its easier to just plug the tester into the most accessible socket to test the RCD/RCBO tripping times but for a lighting circuit it easier to test at the DB

 

[DaveyD]

Exactly my option Flanders.

 

[Engineer54]

As long as all the loads are removed from the circuit you can test the tripping times OF THE rcd/rcbo at any point of the circuit, as stated its easier to just plug the tester into the most accessible socket to test the RCD/RCBO tripping times but for a lighting circuit it easier to test at the DB

Jesus, this is like Pulling Teeth!! Why are you still advising to conduct RCD tests at a socket for?? It's not the correct method and is contrary to manufacturers recommendations!! So WHY do you still want to include the circuit wiring FGS??

 

[Geordie Spark]

Jesus, this is like Pulling Teeth!! Why are you still advising to conduct RCD tests at a socket for?? It's not the correct method and is contrary to manufacturers recommendations!! So WHY do you still want to include the circuit wiring FGS??

Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.

 

[shanky887614]

Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.

Surely they have there leads in the board for testing ze? So why walk away from it and change leads to test rcd when your there and right next to it

 

[Flanders]

Jesus, this is like Pulling Teeth!! Why are you still advising to conduct RCD tests at a socket for?? It's not the correct method and is contrary to manufacturers recommendations!! So WHY do you still want to include the circuit wiring FGS??

Sorry E54 It appears I am wrong as stated in the GN3 it does say that you should test on the the load side of the RCD with the load Disconnected (not just removed) I guess I have done it this way by being showed incorrectly in the first place and the NIC Inspector getting me to carry out the test this way during inspections. Mind you saying that I have never had any problems testing RCD/RCBOs either way so would I be getting miss leading reading when testing at a socket as opposed to the DB ???​

 

[Geordie Spark]

Sorry E54 It appears I am wrong as stated in the GN3 it does say that you should test on the the load side of the RCD with the load Disconnected (not just removed) I guess I have done it this way by being showed incorrectly in the first place and the NIC Inspector getting me to carry out the test this way during inspections. Mind you saying that I have never had any problems testing RCD/RCBOs either way so would I be getting miss leading reading when testing at a socket as opposed to the DB ???​

There are some folk around here who have forgotten more about this game than a NIC Inspector will ever know.

Take heed!

 

[Silly Sausage]

Heehee...

"Put your CU outside in the wooden garden shed." NICEIC Techline, 2014.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Heehee...

"Put your CU outside in the wooden garden shed." NICEIC Techline, 2014.

Great idea I think.

When the meter reader finds his meter has been "rewired" you can deny all knowledge of it ..... "Pikeys done it guv when they broke in to steal my whiskey still".

 

[Engineer54]

Apart from anything else, surely it's easier to test RCD devices at the CU, rather than at a socket where you need to have to keep going back to the CU to re-set the RCD to enable the next test to be conducted. I can understand maybe using a socket on a circuit you are fault finding on, but that's about it!!

 

[Silly Sausage]

Most have the 'Auto' feature, so you plug it in somewhere and press test, then you go back to the CU and repeatedly reset the RCD until all the tests are done, then you go off again to recover the MFT!!!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Most have the 'Auto' feature, so you plug it in somewhere and press test, then you go back to the CU and repeatedly reset the RCD until all the tests are done, then you go off again to recover the MFT!!!

By which time the Scouse plumber has had it away.