Discuss

[trev]

I posted this up in the trainee forum as a discussion, all the lads in there have come up with the right answer so I thought I'd throw it out on here just to see what opinions are out there or who would try to give me a beasting. I can completely justify my actions although I have no intention of doing so for a while yet.

About 6pm my phone rang, a couple have lost all power and there's a fishy/burning smell hanging around. I got there to find a very pregnant woman and a 2 year old running around, her husband was there too (but that's largely irrelevant) So I go to the mains cupboard and find a GET CU with a main switch RCD with all circuits protected by it, all 6 circuits are on MCBs

The incoming live has been arcing and has burnt out the terminal and made the RCD go bang. The only thing I have to hand is a Hager 100 amp main switch which I swap for the knackered RCD. Everything tests out absolutely fine and there is nothing which concerns me about the installation so I walk. Obviously after telling them I'd be getting hold of a replacement RCD main switch for them in the morning.

Over to you lads n lasses, fill yer boots.

 

[Carlosfandango]

You can only **** with the cock you have!

 

[trev]

You can only **** with the cock you have!

Very true Carlos. However, what risks have I exposed this family to?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

No RCD protection for 24 hours could be fatal Trev...!!

I dont see anything wrong with that seeing as though you are returning the next day, its either that or leave the family without power for the night which wouldn't be great given the scenario.

I suppose the only thing I would say is perhaps have a spare 80A RCD in the van but even then you cant have every single make of RCD ready at hand!

 

[trev]

BTW if you replied in the trainee section you're not allowed to post here

 

[Carlosfandango]

Is it a quiz or are you looking for justification?

 

[trev]

No RCD protection for 24 hours could be fatal Trev...!!

I dont see anything wrong with that seeing as though you are returning the next day, its either that or leave the family without power for the night which wouldn't be great given the scenario.

I suppose the only thing I would say is perhaps have a spare 80A RCD in the van but even then you cant have every single make of RCD ready at hand!

It's reckoned to be bloody cold here tonight Steve so leaving them without heating wasn't an option. Especially with a toddler there, Adults can hack things that kids can't and shouldn't. I did ring around a couple of mates to see if they had a spare but no one I know willingly fits GET gear, I think it's horrible, hateful stuff.

 

[Silly Sausage]

The incoming live has been arcing and has burnt out the terminal and made the RCD go bang.

Was the CU of a metallic nature?
And if not, how come the house hadn't burnt down?

 

[R G]

So whats the Earthing system at this house , not TT is it..

 

[trev]

Is it a quiz or are you looking for justification?

No mate, I'm after a discussion, as I say I can completely justify what I did. I'll sleep easily in my bed tonight.

 

[trev]

So whats the Earthing system at this house , not TT is it..

TNS mate. Even if it were a TT, how many properties up and down the country are still quietly chugging away minding their own business without RCDs?

 

[plugsandsparks]

mmmm, difficult trev cos I am never far away from an RCD, have a few kicking around the garage. But to play along, put the 100a switch in and leave them with the bare minimum, say lights, boiler and kitchen sockets, no cooker / shower / etc - its a judgement call as to whether stumbling around in the dark, freezing cold and hungry is outweighed by the potential risk that for a short period of time something might decide to be naughty. PS - on a commercial site I have linked out up front RCDs on the direction of the electrical eng. responsible for one day. After all if the earthing is good you have the OCPD anyway

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'm trying to think of what else you could have done but I cant...

I was going to say 'fit a standalone RCD and connect to the new main switch', but thats just silly.
Also, have have a few RCBO's in stock which you could have swapped over for the MCB's, but again it means carrying too much stock in the van...

So, 'no', I cant see anything else you could have done Trev, much better to leave them with power in the cold weather, even without RCD for the night..... Was it a TT?

 

[Marvo]

I suppose it would be okay for one night as long as you've extended the equipotential zone by running bonding wires to all items of furniture and the window and door handles as an added safety measure.

 

[trev]

I suppose it would be okay for one night as long as you've extended the equipotential zone by running bonding wires to all items of furniture and the window and door handles as an added safety measure.

DAMMIT! There was a metal baby rattle on the living room floor! I didn't bond it!
AAAAAAA They're going to die!