RCD being used as a main switch

[Des 56]

I know its going to cause nuisance tripping and not ideal but I am was looking for a reg to back up that its not correct. We are doing inspections and have been told to pull it as being a Life health safety issue. Thats the term they use out here for a C1. Would any of you back home write it up as a C1 ?

Whilst trying to justify some sort of reason for a perfectly healthy electrical system,it was suggested that Granny could tumble down the stairs in the dark and meet her maker ( her faulty Teasmade failed to make the late night cuppa)

The moral of the tale is that Granny should not rely on a single Rcd or she may be safer drinking squash

When one Rcd was the norm,the terrible danger should have been made known to the 100% who managed to survive

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Not aware that one RCD has ever been the norm?

 

[Flanders]

Not aware that one RCD has ever been the norm?

Ive seen a lot of house on tncs supplys with one main rcd , some i know were built in the early 90s when the 16th addition had just com out.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

One RCD covering everything, or just one for down stairs sockets?

 

[Ian1981]

Coding is down to the inspector of the installation.
If you feel strongly that a rcd main switch gives potential danger then code it.
If you think it's inconvenient at best but isn't a safety issue note it on the eicr.
An rcd tripping causing loss of power to the upstairs lighting can still occur with a dual rcd db yes hopefully the upstairs sockets aren't effected and a bedside lamp can be used for lighting.

 

[Des 56]

Not aware that one RCD has ever been the norm?

Then you never lived in my part of the world to see in the early seventies
If there happened to be any sort of circuit breaker it would have been a voltage operated elcb
The Rcd that replaced these were fitted to almost every household electrical system that existed in that location

 

[HandySparks]

Then you never lived in my part of the world to see in the early seventies
If there happened to be any sort of circuit breaker it would have been a voltage operated elcb
The Rcd that replaced these were fitted to almost every household electrical system that existed in that location

Quite.
Loads of houses on a TT supply with one upfront ELCB or RCD.

If total loss of power is regarded as a significant safety issue, then emergency lighting or an automatic-start backup generator should be installed to cater for power cuts. Or a UPS fitted to specific items of essential equipment.

 

[Specialist]

Yep: Front end ELCB or RCD covering the whole installation was the norm down here too, still lots of them in daily use.

 

[driverman]

OP, are you referring to a domestic installation?
On a distribution system, many installations use a RCD as main isolation switch.

 

[electric al]

Err how can a bedside be used and how can the sockets not be affected ?? The point is the rcd is the main isolator switch and also controls all circuits !

 

[Ian1981]

Err how can a bedside be used and how can the sockets not be affected ?? The point is the rcd is the main isolator switch and also controls all circuits !

Talking about a dual rcd db and that you can have up lights on one rcd and up sockets on the other thus if rcd protecting up lights trips then at least a bedside lamp can be used on the upstairs sockets so there can be some light.
Read it again!

 

[electric al]

 

[electric al]

Picture of one such installation I visited
Just today

 

[Ian1981]

Picture of one such installation I visited
Just today

I'm lost!
I was referring to a dual rcd consumer unit I would have to go and read through the entire thread again to see what context I brought this up with.
Hope you commented on lack of circuit identification tho

 

[electric al]

Yeah good idea - re read the thread .
The convo wasn't about a dual rcd .