RCD protection for a temporary 16A commando socket outlet

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

Hi all,

Just a quick one regarding the need for RCD protection for socket outlets rated up to and including 32A.

I have been tasked to install temporary power in the form of a single 16A commando socket outlet for the purpose of feeding a boiler to maintain heating in a building owned by the prison service.
The existing boiler has been condemned and so, whilst the necessary changes are made to the existing boiler, a temporary boiler is to be HIAB'd into place external to the building and plumbed in as needed.
This temporary boiler requires a 16A supply from a commando socket outlet until the changes to the existing boiler are complete.
Once the changes are made, the temporary boiler is disconnected and HIAB'd out again.

The temporary socket outlet is then removed after all works on the boiler are complete.

The socket is only used for this single purpose and is wholly temporary.

Do I need to install RCD protection for this socket outlet considering the following requirements:

1. Socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32 A in locations where they are liable to be used by persons of capability BA1, BA3 or children (BA2, BA3)

2. Socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32 A in other locations

3. Mobile equipment with a rated current not exceeding 32 A for use outdoors

I personally don't feel it is necessary as the socket is for a single purpose, is temporary to be used only by the boiler engineers and will be removed after use.
The boiler manufacturer has stated that the boiler does not require RCD protection.

What are your thoughts guys?

 

[bill01803]

My thoughts are it is a 16A socket and therefore requires RCD protection 411.3.3
I would not be arsed witha risk assement

 

[Rockingit]

For the cost of a 16A RCBO I'm amazed this thread is even a thing! But yes, it requires RCD protection. If for some reason this is a really big deal, you can circumvent the requirement by fitting a rotary isolator outlet instead and just hard wiring.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

For the cost of a 16A RCBO I'm amazed this thread is even a thing! But yes, it requires RCD protection. If for some reason this is a really big deal, you can circumvent the requirement by fitting a rotary isolator outlet instead and just hard wiring.

I fully agree with you to be honest but the client is kicking up a fuss over costings so I'm looking at ways to circumvent this. Some of their distribution boards are 1980's era and the cost of adding an RCBO (if one can even be sourced) is problematic. I am likely going down the route of a 16A 1P+N+E 230V Interlocked Switched Socket with RCD Compartment IP44 for each install and they're moaning about the cost of that too!!

At the end of the day, my name is on the cert so therefore it has to be done correctly regardless of cost but these large businesses just see the cost and don't care about the safety side of it until something goes wrong.

 

[Rockingit]

I fully agree with you to be honest but the client is kicking up a fuss over costings so I'm looking at ways to circumvent this. Some of their distribution boards are 1980's era and the cost of adding an RCBO (if one can even be sourced) is problematic. I am likely going down the route of a 16A 1P+N+E 230V Interlocked Switched Socket with RCD Compartment IP44 for each install and they're moaning about the cost of that too!!

At the end of the day, my name is on the cert so therefore it has to be done correctly regardless of cost but these large businesses just see the cost and don't care about the safety side of it until something goes wrong.

You could also of course look at doing a small 2way enclosure for an RCD external to the panel and run cable from there - doesn't matter where the RCD actually is. That may well be cheaper on parts. There's no requirement for interlocks on commercial installs so any cheap 16a socket would theoretically do.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

You could also of course look at doing a small 2way enclosure for an RCD external to the panel and run cable from there - doesn't matter where the RCD actually is. That may well be cheaper on parts. There's no requirement for interlocks on commercial installs so any cheap 16a socket would theoretically do.

Not a bad idea actually. I just hate the fact that everything always has to come down to pennies when safety is should be the top priority before anything else. I wouldn't mind so much but these installs are funded by a very wealthy corporation so I guess shareholder profits trump all else!
Well I will spec an RCD protected install and see where it leads. I won't be installing anything other than that.

 

[westward10]

Can't you just hard wire through a cheap rotary isolator.

 

[brianmoooore]

A socket is a socket, and you have no control over who might disconnect the boiler for a few minutes while the work's going on to plug in some dubious equipment of their own.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

Can't you just hard wire through a cheap rotary isolator.

I could do yes but ultimately, I am responsible for the installation regardless of it being temporary or not.
It's my name and business on the dotted line and if something was to go wrong, I would have a tough time explaining why I didn't provide additional protection.

 

[westward10]

If you hard wire it and ADS is provided by an mcb or fuse then additional RCD protection is not required. The Certificate should state your responsibility stops at the boiler which would be covered by other standards anyway.