How to carry out RCD test for shower?

[Guest55]

As for recording 0 & 180 figures i only write down the highest / worst of the 2.
Can get a bit cluttered otherwise lol.

 

[spark 68]

For dual RCD boards, usually on the EIC or whatever, I usually just fill in one row for the first RCD and then all of the circuits for that side of the board underneath, then the second RCD with all of that sides circuits underneath.

As Biff said, the worst case (longest trip times) for both.
On the 17th Amd.1 sheets, they now have spaces for Idn and 5X Idn.

Obviously for RCBO's seperate times, one for each circuit using RCBO's

 

[topquark]

As for recording 0 & 180 figures i only write down the highest / worst of the 2.
Can get a bit cluttered otherwise lol.

Yep, that's all that's required (and I don't do that for RCBO's, only for RCD's covering more than one circuit).

 

[Guest55]

As for recording 0 & 180 figures i only write down the highest / worst of the 2.
Can get a bit cluttered otherwise lol.

In fact i can remember a former supervisor insisting we write both 0 & 180 times in the tiny winy microscopic NIC cert boxes.
What a dick lol.

 

[somersetsparks]

Some old rcd testers don't even test 180 degree trip times

 

[Guitarist]

Some old rcd testers don't even test 180 degree trip times

Amazing really when you consider how different the results usually are.

 

[Sav]

Hi,
Ok I can see the logic in testing the RCD at the board and agree with you all, but why is it then when assesors come to inspect us and they want an RCD test for kitchen sockets say for example, we use the plug in lead from the MFT ? Why not just test at the RCD itself? Would the assesor say anything to that, I mean having an exposed CU and working live ( safe isolation, not working at a live board etc ).

Sorry if thats a thick question everyone !!

Best regards,
Sav

 

[somersetsparks]

Hi,
Ok I can see the logic in testing the RCD at the board and agree with you all, but why is it then when assesors come to inspect us and they want an RCD test for kitchen sockets say for example, we use the plug in lead from the MFT ? Why not just test at the RCD itself? Would the assesor say anything to that, I mean having an exposed CU and working live ( safe isolation, not working at a live board etc ).

Sorry if thats a thick question everyone !!


Best regards,
Sav

The onsite guide states that rcd's should be tested at the board with loads disconnected, I wouldn't think an assesor could argue with that?

Amazing really when you consider how different the results usually are.

I know, in fact it might just be me but I reckon they usually fail more often on 180!

I tested an mk rcd the other day, girt old thing that was spliced into the tails it made it all the way through to the 5x 180 deg test then buzzzed and started smoking and stuck on!

 

[Guitarist]

Nothing actually wrong with testing at a socket as long as there are no loads connected which could be leaking.

 

[nazoom]

I agree with Sav. The main reason why I asked about where do we carry out the RCD test because I was told by one of my supervisor that I should carry out at the light (ceiling rose) However another supervisor told me that I can do it at the RCD itself!! So I got confused!! Which is right?

Thanks

 

[somersetsparks]

The onsite guide states that rcd's should be tested at the board with loads disconnected, you can do it at a socket etc but you must ensure all loads are disconnected, hence why doing it at the board is prefered ( and a fair bit easier, especially with rcbo's)

 

[HandySparks]

I agree with Sav. The main reason why I asked about where do we carry out the RCD test because I was told by one of my supervisor that I should carry out at the light (ceiling rose) However another supervisor told me that I can do it at the RCD itself!! So I got confused!! Which is right?
Thanks

Doesn't have to be done at the light, but in some circumstances it might be the most convenient place, especially if you're already doing other tests at that point anyway.

 

[sparky-s-w]

i was also asked by a scam assesor to do an RCD trip test at the socket using the auto function
this is why i was under the impression it was the way to go about it.

maybe he wanted me to prove i could use the meter.

 

[soulman]

If you do use a socket try getting as close to the board as you can. I find it just as easy to test at the board, unless it is a crabtree starbreaker. i do believe they cannot be tested at the board. I also wouldn't worry about asking questions it's how we learn. There are a lot of skilled sparks on this forum which are more than happy to steer you in the right direction.

 

[IQ Electrical]

As a few have already said, the test should be carried out on the load side of the RCD with all load disconnected.
If there are any electronic loads left connected, the discharging of capacitors etc. can fool the RCD tester, causing it to display a higher disconnection time.

I assume assessors like to use the plug in lead for RCD tests for safety reasons.