RCD protect Forklift? Yes or No?

[Weezy]

The Job:
We are going to wire a forklift point in 6mm swa surface wiring inside a warehouse.

It’s a 3Phase forklift point 32amp.

Wired from a 3phase eton C32 MCB.
Will surface clip swa along existing cable tray down to a rotary isolator and 32amp commando outlet.

Jobs pretty simple however i can’t decide if this should be rcd protected?

Reg: 411.3.3 States socket outlets need rcd protection, but it doesn’t clarify if a commando outlet is classed as a socket or whether this is referring to regular domestic socket outlets.

Reg: 411.3.3 states circuits supplying mobile equipment not exceeding 32 amps needs a rcd, which i would think a forklift is a piece of mobile equipment... Is there any clarification on what is ‘mobile’?

In the section for ‘rcd omissions’ it talks about cables on the surface not needing rcd protection and in non-domestic cases sockets outlets can be omitted through risk assessment.

Also during my 18th edition update the lecturer mentioned that if swa is used in its full length from point A to point B then no rcd protection is needed.

I’m left wondering what regs override each other. I’m interested to know what you guys normally do.

*note ‘95%’ of the existing electrics in this warehouse have no rcd protection*

 

[James]

im not sure you would reasonably consider a fork lift charger to be mobile equipment. it's big, heavy and not normally moved around.
however, I have fitted flt chargers with both rcd and non rcd supplies in the past and not had problems with tripping the breaker.
I would strongly recommend that you over spec the supply cable and use a type D breaker as they have massive surge currents when started.

 

[Ian1981]

A 32 amp commando socket is just that , a socket which will require additional protection unless you omit the additional protection by providing a documented risk assessment.
Or install an isolator instead unless it’s providing mobile equipment outdoors upto 32amps.

Mobile is exactly that...... equipment that can be moved around

 

[westward10]

You are installing a socket and not a fork lift charger.

 

[Weezy]

You are installing a socket and not a fork lift charger.

Yeah the point, not the charger, iv never even seen one to be honest. I’m not sure what you’re getting at?

 

[Weezy]

A 32 amp commando socket is just that , a socket which will require additional protection unless you omit the additional protection by providing a documented risk assessment.
Or install an isolator instead unless it’s providing mobile equipment outdoors upto 32amps.

Mobile is exactly that...... equipment that can be moved around

In that case, instead of supplying a rotary isolator and separate commando socket, i could do away with both of them and buy one of these: 3 phase 16A or 32A 5 Pin CEE,RCD Protected Red Socket.Hook Up.Distribution board | eBay - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F251559291581
Using the RCD in place of the rotary isolator.

 

[westward10]

If the fork lift charger were to be hard wired yes you are installing a fork lift charger. You are installing a socket which could be used for any purpose.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Fork lift chargers have sockets on them, to plug the fork lift into.
Sometimes, the socket is separate to the charger, attached by a cable.

 

[Weezy]

If the fork lift charger were to be hard wired yes you are installing a fork lift charger. You are installing a socket which could be used for any purpose.

Alright, yea i see your point, so are you saying you would fit an rcd, even being inside a warehouse industrial environment wired in swa clipped direct/ surface wiring?

 

[Weezy]

im not sure you would reasonably consider a fork lift charger to be mobile equipment. it's big, heavy and not normally moved around.
however, I have fitted flt chargers with both rcd and non rcd supplies in the past and not had problems with tripping the breaker.
I would strongly recommend that you over spec the supply cable and use a type D breaker as they have massive surge currents when started.

Have you ever used one of these? 3 phase 16A or 32A 5 Pin CEE,RCD Protected Red Socket.Hook Up.Distribution board | eBay - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F251559291581

 

[Ian1981]

Alright, yea i see your point, so are you saying you would fit an rcd, even being inside a warehouse industrial environment wired in swa clipped direct/ surface wiring?

Just install it like the picture you uploaded in the link, rcd and socket combo.
The wiring to it doesn’t require additional protection if your installing swa

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Alright, yea i see your point, so are you saying you would fit an rcd, even being inside a warehouse industrial environment wired in swa clipped direct/ surface wiring?

If you are installing a socket to plug the charger into, then you would need either a 63A socket, or a risk assessment that concludes RCD protection is not required.

 

[Weezy]

Just install it like the picture you uploaded in the link, rcd and socket combo.
The wiring to it doesn’t require additional protection if your installing swa

I would have no rotary isolator though so the switching would happen via the 40a rcd, I cant see that being an issue surely, i think i’m over thinking things.
Like i say iv never seen a charger before in all honesty i would have thought the charger has a switch on it as well.

 

[Strima]

What does the charger manufacturer state about RCD protection and the type of RCD to be used?

 

[Charlie_]

Also check with manufacturers instructions for the charging kit, may also need to be an A type RCD