Lights not on RCD side of board

Luke238 · Apr 8, 2019

Hopefully a picture is attached.

The lights in this house are not on the RCD side of the board, there is a spare way which they could slot into and be protected by the rcd.

The lights are not split up and down so no problem between a borrowed neutral between top and bottom tripping the RCD.

Just wondered what other reasons there were why these would not have been put on the RCD side of the board ?

[ElectriciansForums.net] Lights not on RCD side of board

rolyberkin · Apr 8, 2019

Lights were routinely placed on the non RCD side of the board in the past, this was probably due to the fact that when lightbulbs blew they tended to take out the RCD, in a one RCD board this would have taken out the whole installation. As this is an old board this is probably the case.

Deleted member 9648 · Apr 8, 2019

Got to disagree with roly I'm afraid, blowing lamps don't take out the RCD, they take out an MCB, usually a type B MCB because of a current surge. The reason lights were not put on the RCD when that board was installed (16th edition) was that it was not a requirement, the RCD side generally only protected socket outlets. This was the accepted practice.

Risteard · Apr 8, 2019

wirepuller said:
Got to disagree with roly I'm afraid, blowing lamps don't take out the RCD, they take out an MCB, usually a type B MCB because of a current surge. The reason lights were not put on the RCD when that board was installed (16th edition) was that it was not a requirement, the RCD side generally only protected socket outlets. This was the accepted practice.

Usually they don't take out the RCD, but it's not guaranteed. I have had an RCD trip due to a blowing lamp before in my own house. Not sure what came into contact with what causing the imbalance.

But I would agree that it is likely to be a 16th Edition installation where providing RCD protection to lighting circuits was unheard of.

bill01803 · Apr 8, 2019

I would be more concerned about the missing blank in the board

telectrix · Apr 8, 2019

i'd be even more concerned that it's a protecrap board.

Midwest · Apr 8, 2019

I'd be even even more concerned that the CU has been installed on an angle. The electricity is going to pool on the non RCD side.

magnoliafan89 · Apr 8, 2019

No mechanical protection to cables entering cu...and judging by the tape around the cables in the forefront...poor support

rolyberkin · Apr 8, 2019

wirepuller said:
Got to disagree with roly I'm afraid, blowing lamps don't take out the RCD, they take out an MCB, usually a type B MCB because of a current surge. The reason lights were not put on the RCD when that board was installed (16th edition) was that it was not a requirement, the RCD side generally only protected socket outlets. This was the accepted practice.

Must just be my customers then, lamp pops, takes out the mcb which then in turn takes out the RCD. Customer then phones electrician as they have reset the mcb and the electric hasn't come back on......?