10mA RCD for bathroom circuits

[kingeri]

Been to look at a job this morning for a CU change, customer the type who wants to have his say on every tiny detail. He has already bought the CU as well, a Wylex RCBO unit.....

I pointed out that the RCBO ratings he has bought don't align with what I actually need...and that some will need to be swapped. So far, so good.

He then says he wants to include 10mA RCD protection for all circuits in the bathroom. This will be lighting, shower and spa bath pump. I point out that I don't think Wylex do 10mA RCBOs....and if they do why hasn't he bought them instead of 30mA ones...to which he said he why can't I add the 10mA after the RCBOs. I tried to tell him that having two RCDs in series isn't great as they won't discriminate and in this case would actually be pointless. I also said that 30mA protection is the accepted standard for this job. Nevertheless, he still wants it.

I told him I'll be back next week, but he gave me a headache. Just wondered what any of you guys would do in this situation?

 

[edexlab]

Once had a customer who complained of shocks from kitchen sink tap
He'd been getting them for 2 years!

Took 30 mins to find the problem
I was testing for voltage between tap and earth from the cooker outlet
nothing
He said put your hand on it
Nothing
He was insistent so I did it several times and got after 10 mins got a small shock
Tested with meter +120v rising to +200v
( I forget the exact readings)
????
Checked the polarity at incomer
230 to earth nothing between line and neutral
So I rigged up a temporary spike in his garden tested between wire and N terminal and got over 200v

While doing this I noticed the pole transformer with newish cable and the orange sleeve covering on the cable coming to the house
I said is that new ?

He said oh they changed it 2 years ago......
Quick call to WPD they came out to check

The guy tested it and said @#$% some idiots connected the N to a phase

He called a manager who came out and started trying to explain it away as something got broken inside Tx from the wind!

 

[edexlab]

Once had a customer who complained of shocks from kitchen sink tap
He'd been getting them for 2 years!

Took 30 mins to find the problem
I was testing for voltage between tap and earth from the cooker outlet
nothing
He said put your hand on it
Nothing
He was insistent so I did it several times and got after 10 mins got a small shock
Tested with meter +120v rising to +200v
( I forget the exact readings)
????
Checked the polarity at incomer
230 to earth nothing between line and neutral
So I rigged up a temporary spike in his garden tested between wire and N terminal and got over 200v

While doing this I noticed the pole transformer with newish cable and the orange sleeve covering on the cable coming to the house
I said is that new ?

He said oh they changed it 2 years ago......
Quick call to WPD they came out to check

The guy tested it and said @#$% some idiots connected the N to a phase

He called a manager who came out and started trying to explain it away as something got broken inside Tx from the wind!

 

[DPG]

Maybe the guy who wants the 10mA RCD keeps horses in his bathroom.

 

[kingeri]

An update on this one. I rang him on Monday and told him where I stood and that I am happy to do any work he wants doing so long as it is to BS7671, and the 10mA thing ain't happening....and he started crying....actually crying. I asked him what's wrong and he hung up. Odd fella he is.

 

[DPG]

How odd. To be fair if someone wanted 10mA protection then fair enough, just put a disclaimer about nuisance tripping. Customer happy and job done.

 

[Bobster]

Don't see what the issue is with fitting 10mA protection for the bathroom is?

It's not like it's going to generate enough leakage current to trip as a nuisance. It's only lights, a shower and an extractor. An those will be split between 2 devices.

They're an available product, although not common. I'd have just priced the job, it's going to be more expensive but it's what the customer wants.

 

[Jjc]

Been to look at a job this morning for a CU change, customer the type who wants to have his say on every tiny detail. He has already bought the CU as well, a Wylex RCBO unit.....

I pointed out that the RCBO ratings he has bought don't align with what I actually need...and that some will need to be swapped. So far, so good.

He then says he wants to include 10mA RCD protection for all circuits in the bathroom. This will be lighting, shower and spa bath pump. I point out that I don't think Wylex do 10mA RCBOs....and if they do why hasn't he bought them instead of 30mA ones...to which he said he why can't I add the 10mA after the RCBOs. I tried to tell him that having two RCDs in series isn't great as they won't discriminate and in this case would actually be pointless. I also said that 30mA protection is the accepted standard for this job. Nevertheless, he still wants it.

I told him I'll be back next week, but he gave me a headache. Just wondered what any of you guys would do in this situation?

tell him to get someone else to do it. Don't take ---- from any wise ahole

 

[tudore]

what RCD rating for his bum?

Forget protection, just don't go there!

 

[Charlie_]

@tudore why did you disagree with my post?
New rules, you have to give a reason now

 

[Markyd]

Ask to see his Qualifications

 

[Markyd]

Apologise, tell him you were mistaken and that you won’t be back next week

Or words to that effect

 

[Pete999]

@tudore why did you disagree with my post?
New rules, you have to give a reason now

Since when? it would be polite to ask but is it a rule now?

 

[Markyd]

Thanks guys, I think I will give this job a miss. I never heard of 10mA RCD protection in a domestic bathroom, I have only encountered them infrequently in any situation....the chap said he got the idea from a relative who lives in Spain. Maybe they use them over there.

Tell him to buy a house in Spain then

 

[Charlie_]

Since when? it would be polite to ask but is it a rule now?

That’s how I interpreted it from the mods, or am I getting mixed up with the dumb tags.. oh dear let’s not go there again

 

[DPG]

I don't think it's a rule, but it makes sense to explain why you disagree if you do.