Rcd as main main switch?

[whazza22]

Just a quick one.

Is it acceptable to have a 63a 30ma Rcd as a main switch?

Can't see why not but just thought I would see what others say?

 

[Newbie90]

That would still happen if there was a fault on the ring main causing the mcb to trip.

 

[Rampantchilli]

Minimise inconvenience in the event of a fault

well inconvenience can be perceived differently depending who you are, and what your doing.
Rcd trips while your washing machine is on at night, turns off your alarm clock, your clothes ain't ready for work in the morning and your late. That's inconvenient.

your baby has to have his music playing to get to sleep, your 'on the job' with mummy and the power cuts, that's frustrating.

Your 83 in your house on your own, the Rcd trips, no lights no power no central heating, you fall over the coffee table and break your hip, you lie on the floor for 3 days, in agony, til you freeze to death, more than a little inconvenient. But at least the electrician saved £60 on his job, that you paid him what he asked for.

really tho, where is the harm in using 2 rcds, or in this instance 4 rcbos

 

[Heisenberg]

That would still happen if there was a fault on the ring main causing the mcb to trip.

Of course, but a much more likely occurrence if the whole install was on an RCCB.

 

[Crosswire]

Domestic, one bed flat.

1 lighting circuit, 1 ring, cooker and shower

I can see why they did it in this case, as the install is too small to practically subdivide. If RCBO's cost the same as MCB' everyone would use them, everytime. Shame really.

 

[Fin170]

As a minimum Split board, sockets on rcbo and everything else on the rcd side with at least 2 spare ways

To improve on that

All RCBOs

Or as it's a bungalow you could probably divide up the light (and possibly socket) circuit easily. Maybe they have their boiler controls spured from the ring? Run a dedicated spur from the board for it (non rcd). Add an emergency light, Add fire alarms (we do this free (-materials) if it's straight forward) or install a double socket by the fuse box on it's own circuit

The basic convince upgrade possibilities are endless pending budget

 

[Octopus]

Just a quick one.

Is it acceptable to have a 63a 30ma Rcd as a main switch?

Can't see why not but just thought I would see what others say?

Acceptable - maybe just, good practice - definitely not.

 

[Engineer54]

The rcd was supplied with the 6 way consumer unit. I prefer rcbos but are too expensive

Do you think these RCBO's are too expensive?? Combine with these RCBO's with one of their CU's and you have a very reasonably priced all RCBO CU!! An all RCBO CU is the real deal, these dual RCD CU's are nothing but a compromise, and can be a bloody headache trying to find leakage faults...

TYPE B - 10kA, Consumer Units, Fuse Boards, Fuse Box, MCB, RCD from Wyeverne Electrical

 

[vicghirawoo]

Yes you can. And it is cheaper to purchase a main distribution panel with a RCD main breaker than having individual circuit RCD breakers.

 

[Octopus]

Yes you can. And it is cheaper to purchase a main distribution panel with a RCD main breaker than having individual circuit RCD breakers.

BUT you wouldn't install like that in a new/rewire situation because it wouldn't comply with the regs,

 

[dazzer-b]

bloody hell you are making that question hard work, its a switch to isolate the supply, an rcd does that so yes its fine.

 

[dazzer-b]

Acceptable - maybe just, good practice - definitely not.

this answers the question perfectly, just winds me up when busy boddies get involved to try and answer the question better than others to prove how superior they are.

 

[Octopus]

this answers the question perfectly, just winds me up when busy boddies get involved to try and answer the question better than others to prove how superior they are.

You need to read post #24 too.

 

[vicghirawoo]

bloody hell you are making that question hard work, its a switch to isolate the supply, an rcd does that so yes its fine.

Couldn't agree with you more!! Let's move on. :83:

 

[Richard]

i think i`d be using a DP mainswitch (a 100mA s type RCD would be good for this)...
RCBOs for the finals...

Why would you use a 100mA s type as the main switch as opposed to just a main switch?

 

[Bengaz]

Domestic, one bed flat.

1 lighting circuit, 1 ring, cooker and shower

There should be minimum 2 lighting circuits and 2 ring mains in that flat using a minimum of a dual RCD board (DP main switch) (£46 complete). That wouldn't cost any more surely and fully comply.
Fully minimizing inconvenience...