On a new 17th edition dual rcd split load board what detemains which circuits you put on either side, do you put for instance downstairs sockets and upstairs lights on one side and vise versa
You are trying to minimise inconveniance during a fault condition
One Rcd covering the whole of the installation means loss of power to lights sockets etc throughout
This is frowned on for reasons such as falling down the stairs during the blackout
So the set up used by many, to minimise inconveniance, and comply with the Rcd just about anything paranoia,suggests using a double Rcd, where for instance, the upstairs lights would be on the same Rcd as the downstairs sockets
The down lights with the up sockets
Either Rcd going out will permit the user to either have lights or sockets so that a table lamp could be used
How this squares up to a supply fault is the achilles heel of this paranoia for 2 Rcds
Aternatively,to achieve the same result, emergency lighting could be installed with the whole sytem Rcd
The Rcd just about everything requirement left the industry with a consumer unit set up that should include Rcbos for each circuit,this is considered by many to be an expensive way of complying
2 Rcds are a cheap way of complying with the
intent of the 17th edition rather than a proper compliance
where a fault on one circuit does not take out an healthy circuit
Its a healthy way of complying with the regs without the expense of the full blooded intention of Rcbos
A legal con trick by the industry to overcome its hasty and un necessary reliance on Rcds
