RCD fused spur suitable or not?

[Chris86]

Good Evening All,

I have been asked by the family of some elderly neighbours to install a socket in an understairs cupboard for a small chest freezer and add a lighting point in the same cupboard.

Installation is protected by a Wylex 3036 rewireable board so had no rcd protection and the family do not have the funds to upgrade this at the moment. So, to ensure the new socket and light comply, I am planning to reuse a redundant 16A supply which was feeding an old alarm panel, replace the current FCU with an RCD version and feed socket from there then run light through a second FCU.

Question is, do these RCD FCU's still comply? I seem to recall they cannot be used in this way under the 18th, is this correct or did I dream it somewhere? I have reservations about freezers on RCD's anyway but know it needs to be that way.

I don't do a great deal of domestic, my days are spent amongst conveyors and machinery in industrial maintenance so I hope you don't mind giving your opinions and advice.

ATB

Chris

 

[Andy78]

Very true but as we all know the committee who write the regulations themselves are more than prone to the odd error

Yeah they've not always been the greatest, but the errors in the regs are usually quite minor.
Would seem odd for an entire committee to erroneously exclude two current British standards, from two brand new specifically worded regulations. I still feel it was probably intentional.

 

[Midwest]

Yeah they've not always been the greatest, but the errors in the regs are usually quite minor.
Would seem odd for an entire committee to erroneously exclude two current British standards, from two brand new specifically worded regulations. I still feel it was probably intentional.

I get your point, but I’m not sure. Are we saying these RCD sockets & FCU’s are not appropriate or fit for purpose, if so the manufacturers might need to consider their use.

We still argue endlessly about reg 421.1.201, but ‘they’ still chose not to clarify it in the latest addition. I think the committee just like to hedge their bets sometimes.

 

[telectrix]

Very true but as we all know the committee who write the regulations themselves are more than prone to the odd error

they never make errors when it comes to issuing amendments and new editions at exhorbitant costs.

 

[Snailspark]

So what happens if a customer would like additional sockets added to an existing ring as either spurs or a ring extension where the board is an older one with no rcd protection?
I have been noting this as a departure only on the certificate. I was under the impression that as long as the new work does not down grade an existing system i.e. is as good as or better then this would be fine?

 

[richy3333]

In a domestic situation the chances are your cable for the spur(s) will need RCD protection. It’s not a departure.

 

[westward10]

In a domestic situation the chances are your cable for the spur(s) will need RCD protection. It’s not a departure.

I think by spurs he means spurs to sockets.

 

[Midwest]

So what happens if a customer would like additional sockets added to an existing ring as either spurs or a ring extension where the board is an older one with no rcd protection?
I have been noting this as a departure only on the certificate. I was under the impression that as long as the new work does not down grade an existing system i.e. is as good as or better then this would be fine?

Any new work needs to meet current regs?

 

[GBDamo]

Over the numerous incarnations of this topic we have had many members that have said they have contacted there scheme and all have repoted back similar advice and that is along the lines of:-

"It's probably an omission or error and to carry on using them"

None, to my knowledge, have reported back saying they were advised not to use them.

Why some on here feel the need to constantly challenge this is beyond me, this is what we pay these schemes for, to provide clarification and advise.

Just phone your scheme and ask, an easy solution.

 

[Ian1981]

Rcd spurs and sockets to bs7288 are still referenced in the 18th edition version of the IET guidance note 1 and the current edition of the on site guide and are still manufactured

 

[lozarus]

Surely to avoid all the debacle, a simple DP RCD or RCBO in a small enclosure to replace the FCU (assuming 16a protection at board) would be ideal? Thsi can then happily supply the relevant outlet.