RCD protection

davesparks · Oct 23, 2019

Gavin watt said:
So the situation where historically no RCD protection has ever been in place say a 30 year old install and we now have public accessing socket outlets for use and for use of machines plugged into the sockets would that not require RCD protection

Historical requirements are irrelevant, you carry out the report to the current version of bs7671.

As such General purpose socket outlets without RCD protection would be coded a minimum C3, however if the lack of RCD protection is considered to be potentially dangerous then a C2 would be appropriate.

If the sockets in question are supplying power to fixed, or not easily movable, equipment such as amusements, are not readily accessible etc etc then I would suggest that maybe they wouldn't need RCD protection at all. And then following suitable assessment of the risks no code may be necessary.

Intoelectrics · Oct 24, 2019

Gavin, all you can do is assess whether or not, how likely there is and the severity of a potential danger. The guide to coding hints on this (see post 25#) by indicating what type and use of equipment warrants how you code it. Its your call to determine the potential danger. If you feel certain sockets in the installation warrant a C2 then you code them accordingly otherwise the rest would be a C3.
You can then advise the client to what is the best method of rectification should this be required.