RCD or not

[the pict]

Board change, no RCD on existing, no additional circuits, except I have made two socket radials into RFC's, it is a double RCD board but, is it a requirement to have the RCD's
Pict

 

[lofty84]

yes mate I do believe it is as you have altered things

 

[trev]

I'd agree. The board change means you have altered things let alone the radial changes to RFC
Just my opinion maybe some could argue

 

[malcolmsanford]

The very start of the Regulations in it's introduction advises us that

"The Regulations apply to the design,erection and verification of all electrical installations, also including additions and alterations to existing installations............."

So by omission of RCD protection for the sockets as per regulation 411.3.3 and for the cable 522.6.6

 

[the pict]

Should also have said it's a Hotel, so could be commercial although opinions differ on this, as it is it is RCD'd but just wondered about interpretation of the regs I have however left a couple of dedicated circuits non RCD'd TV satelite and WIFI for all rooms etc as these are housed in a special cabinet under supervision

 

[lofty84]

If in doubt put it on a RCD on it - is what I was told

 

[malcolmsanford]

Should also have said it's a Hotel, so could be commercial although opinions differ on this, as it is it is RCD'd but just wondered about interpretation of the regs I have however left a couple of dedicated circuits non RCD'd TV satelite and WIFI for all rooms etc as these are housed in a special cabinet under supervision

To be honest I don't think you can use under the supervision of a skilled or instructed person in a hotel room, as these sockets can be used by the public, granted the argument that they are locked away can be used to cover 411.3.3 but what about 522.6.6

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Do you not want to fit RCD's for some reason?

 

[the pict]

Just opinion on the requirements, I, as a matter of course always fit high integrity boards where possible
Pict

 

[seb77]

yep..u def need RCD protection on what you have described.

 

[jase]

Should also have said it's a Hotel, so could be commercial although opinions differ on this, as it is it is RCD'd but just wondered about interpretation of the regs I have however left a couple of dedicated circuits non RCD'd TV satelite and WIFI for all rooms etc as these are housed in a special cabinet under supervision

the regs are the regs, there are not domestic regs and commercial regs, the fact that it is commercial means it doesnt fall under part p.

 

[the pict]

Yes your right of course Jase,although commercial can allow the skilled and or instructed rule
Pict

 

[Q.S.]

Unless you or a suitable trained other (try finding one of those) that is there all the time, it should have RCD protection. You may use RCD sockets if the cables are run in such a way they do not need RCD protection, however as a hotel I would go safety first - if there is a problem they can move rooms etc.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

The reason why there are exceptions to the requirements to provide RCD protection for socket-outlets and cables concealed in walls, is for commercal and industrial installations.
It is a statutory requirement of the EAWR that anyone carrying out any work duty or activity meet the requirements to be considered a skilled or instructed person as detailed by BS7671.
As such RCD protection, is only required for socket-outlets where they will be used for general purposes by ordinary persons, and that use will be unsupervised by a skilled or instructed person.
As for cables concealed in walls, unless it is likely that ordinary persons (i.e. members of the public) are going to be hanging pictures or shelves, again there is no requirement to provide RCD protection.
It is only for socket-outlets used to supply mobile equipment outdorrs and for circuits of special locations where there are no exceptions for skilled or instructed persons.

 

[pencilpusher]

Spin, that is interesting. I am pulling my hair out having had differing views on this very subject on this forum. I have a CU in a kitchen cupboard which is attached to outside wall. I have a T&E cable running from the CU down behind the kitchen cupboard and out at the bottom of the wall which then terminates in an adaptable box where it joins with swa to carry on underground to supply my garage. I have been advised that unless I can prove the T&E is more than 50mm below the surface, I need RCD protection. This is a problem because the said garage is on a TT stsyem with an RCD main siwtch and I need to obtain descrimination between RCD's.

There is no way anyone is going to put a picture up where the kitchen cupboards are. The only chance of a problem is if someone replaces the kitchen and drills through the short run of T&E that is already there.

This is my dilemma. I can run new swa to the CU but do I really need to?