Live testing – RCD Test

[Goody]

Hi,

When testing an RCD you have the cover on, on the CU with the circuits energised and test it using a socket on that RCD.

But when there are only light circuits on a given RCD you have the option to test it at the CU or undo a light socket and test it with a Lightmate Testing Adaptor. This way with CU cover is open or light socket dismantled, you are working live on the circuits. How would you convince the assessor that you are working safe? What kind of isolation needs done in this situation? Thanks

 

[malcolmsanford]

You would prove to the assessor that you are working safe by showing your competence.

If your dealing with just a domestic situation and a split RCD board then you only test at the socket, there is no need to test also at a lighting circuit. The RCD will only need testing the once, and the safest way to do it on an assessment is via the BS 1363 Test lead.

If your working on an RCBO only board you will need to check a light circuit. I would not personally do this with a light mate but at the CU. You would need to isolate the entire board from the main switch so you first need to seek permission/inform the concerned parties that your isolating the installation, and lock off. Then prove your voltage indicator with either a proving box or a known source of supply and then test that the CU is isolated, Then re check you voltage indicator to make sure it is still working on that proving box/known source.

Open (turn off) all the RCBO's within the CU so every circuit is isolated. Then disconnect the LINE from the lighting RCBO, the Neutral of the circuit from the neutral bar and then EARTH for the circuit from the earth bar. Unlock your main switch and close ( Turn on). Prove your voltage tester once more as previous and check that you have power to that RCBO on the supply side. Close ( Turn on) that one and only RCBO and do your testing.

On completing your tests leave to RCBO open ( turned off) and then open ( turn off ) the main switch and lock. Again prove your voltage indicator as before and then reconnect the lighting circuit.

 

[Mfctitch]

Not sure if I am putting this in the right place?
But after reading with interest your reply I'm now confused (not hard) as on my NICEIC for there is a box for RCD Operating times all the way down the paper. My question is are you saying that on a split board with two RCD's I only have to do an RCD test on each side of the board and not on all the circuits.

 

[telectrix]

Not sure if I am putting this in the right place?
But after reading with interest your reply I'm now confused (not hard) as on my NICEIC for there is a box for RCD Operating times all the way down the paper. My question is are you saying that on a split board with two RCD's I only have to do an RCD test on each side of the board and not on all the circuits.[/QUOTE

you only test each RCD once. then you put the disconnection times in all the relevant boxes. so, for example, circuit 1 onRCD1 has the times of it's RCD.say, circuits 1-4. circuit 2/3/4 have the same or ditto. then same for |RCD2, say that's circuit 5-10.