Chair lifts on RCD?

sparc · Feb 7, 2011

I've googled this subject without success, so far anyway.

A client has a chair lift. The all re-wireable metal clad fuseboard is to be replaced by a new dual RCD CU.

I'm wondering if there are any regs/requirements for the protection of the circuit the lift is on.

If the person is 100% reliant on the lift (as in this case) does there need to be separate circuit - maybe on its own RCBO? Or maybe go unprotected, and surface mount with its own cable?

Anyone come across this and has advice - or useful links?

malcolmsanford · Feb 7, 2011

Regardless of what is on the end of your circuit the actual circuit should conform to the Regs. If there is a worry that the chair lift may trip becasue it is on an RCD with other circuits, then yes the use of a RCBO may be best, or to wire if surface, or within the wall with earthed conduit etc, connected via a FCU or connected by a suitably labelled BS 1363 socket.

nickblake · Feb 7, 2011

Check the spec on the chair lift some have back up batteries , if the customer has RCD protection then if it trips she/he will be able to get to the top or bottom of the staires , unless the install is prone to inconvieniant RCD tripping then there should be no problem using them ,or install it on its own RCBO protected circuit in general whats the chances of it tripping when they are on it (unless its this thats at fault) it will be basically the same as having a power cut you have said you could go surface mount , you could also wire it in armoured then it would not require the RCD protection either fused spur on the end for local isolation then youll be ok

Octopus · Feb 7, 2011

I think you'll find that the chair lift is powered by batteries and charged when either at the top or bottom.

My mother had one and it had a "beep" when either parked in a non charging position or in the event of power supply failure.