Outside socket (RCD protection?)

[normanton]

Hi guys, just curious as to wether a 16A commando socket needs RCD protection ? It's inside an metal cabinet so obviously when the cabinet door is opened it becomes an "outside socket". It's used for a generator to plug into if mains is lost in the cabinet, cheers , Lee

 

[Deleted member 9648]

It's an input socket.....the rcd protection will or may be required to the install it is supplying,not the socket itself. Is there some kind of changeover arrangement to disconnect the 16a socket from the supply when the mains is on?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Additional protection by means of a 30mA RCD is required for socket-outlets for use by ordinary persons and intended for general use, and for mobile equipment rated up to 32A for use outdoors.

 

[normanton]

Yes there is a change over switch inside the cabinet. The mains supply is constant and feeds comms and fibre optic equipment (rectifiers,psu's etc). There is battery back up incase of mains failure and last resort if battery's fail is a commando socket that plugs into a portable generator

 

[Robotstar5]

I hope the commando socket is a typo? you should be using an appliance inlet to plug the generator in.

 

[Guest111]

As stated by Robotstar the item in question should be an appliance inlet,if you look at it from below you will find it does not have a flip up cover and will have pins sticking out as a pose to contact tubes as in a normal BS 4343 socket.

 

[telectrix]

i thought that, but then the pins will be live when the mains supply is on. a changeover switch might come in uesful here.

 

[Engineer54]

i thought that, but then the pins will be live when the mains supply is on. a changeover switch might come in uesful here.

See post No 4 Tel. ...lol!!

The commando type fittings usually come with flip-up covers be they plug top style (pin) or receptacle style (tube)....