rcd protection for power circuits

[ample current]

When did it become a reg to have rcd's on socket outlet circuit, was it the 17th or was it the 16th?
Also if you were altering a single power circuit by adding a couple of outlets and moving a couple on the same circiut, do you have to RCD protect the circuit you altered even though there are 4 other power circiuts in the property or is it a case of "no worse than before"

 

[telectrix]

so what you're saying, spin, is that if you add a socket outlet intended for use by ordinary persons, that can be a RCD socket and no RCD protection needs to be added to the existing , your new cable requiring protection by earthed metallic sheath or RCD if < 50mm deep in a wall.??

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Lawnmower users beware.... your garden ain't a "special location" so feel free to tear your mains cable apart and die..

Shoot me now...

That's a bit of a stupid statement, isn't it?

 

[telectrix]

simultaneous posts.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

so what you're saying, spin, is that if you add a socket outlet intended for use by ordinary persons, that can be a RCD socket and no RCD protection needs to be added to the existing , your new cable requiring protection by earthed metallic sheath or RCD if < 50mm deep in a wall.??

Could be earthed metallic sheath, earthed conduit or trunking, mechanical protection sufficient to prevent penetration by nails or screws or can be run on the surface of the wall.

 

[ample current]

But this brings in other thoughts surely.

You install a new ring radial which HAS to be RCD protected old board can't get RCD's for ..hmm new board or do like they used to do and fit "another box with an rcd in" then another then another.
£40-60 job to £200-400 job, cant you just do the £40,yes of course but you have no room!

Ok i'll leave, then tom,dick or harry steps in for £25 and adds them anyway... sad but true..

Its not a new circuit,but an alteration to an existing ring final circuit for the first floor sockets of a domestic house, and not a radial.

 

[ample current]

If you read the installation instructions for most showers they say install with RCD protection so I'd say installing it and moving it both requires an RCD and notification too.

Who said any thing about showers.

 

[telectrix]

yes, i agree with that. the confusion arises over whether it.s necessary to fit RCD protection at the source of the circuit that you have worked on or just to protect the new cable/accessories. one argument is that because you have worked on a particular circuit, then that circuit in it's entirity should conform to current regs..

 

[Barry Rathbone]

Its not a new circuit,but an alteration to an existing one and not a radial.

Yes but the alteration must comply with relevant regulations do they not?

And yes "special location" sorry .... should have been more like "a place of danger where a RCD should not be used".. ^^

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Yes but the alteration must comply with relevant regulations do they not?

And yes "special location" sorry .... should have been more like "a place of danger where a RCD should not be used".. ^^

Compliance with the Regulations can be achieved for instance by spuring off the existing circuit using an RCD FCU.
Another option might be to add an RCD socket back to back with an existing socket-outlet.
Always assuming that RCD protection is required for the socket-outlets.
There's no requirement to protect the whole circuit, unless of course you are installing a socket-outlet in a bathroom, or the installation is Agricultural/horticultural.
As for the lawn mower comment, I doubt very much that my Suffolk Punch will be any safer because I've got an RCD.
However it is a requirement to provide additional protection by means of an RCD for mobile equipment used outdoors.
Still doesn't require the whole circuit to be RCD protected.

 

[Barry Rathbone]

No one in their right mind is going to install seperate circuits to accomodate the compliance with regulations.

anyone got a 50way CU that I can pick and choose which circuits I place on RCD and which I do not?

********.....

Its my real name IDC , your problem is if you are reported you will probably never get work.....

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I think you'll find, that the majority of sparks (as in all but you), will install separate circuits.
They may not install them to accomodate compliance with the Regulations, they may install them for convenience, or simply because it's good practice.
As for needing a 50 way CU in order to be able to pick and choose, it's just not necessary, a 4 way will suffice.

 

[Barry Rathbone]

I think you'll find, that the majority of sparks (as in all but you), will install separate circuits.
They may not install them to accomodate compliance with the Regulations, they may install them for convenience, or simply because it's good practice.
As for needing a 50 way CU in order to be able to pick and choose, it's just not necessary, a 4 way will suffice.

And you ar ehow old? for interest only?

 

[Amp David]

Could be earthed metallic sheath, earthed conduit or trunking, mechanical protection sufficient to prevent penetration by nails or screws or can be run on the surface of the wall.

Yes of course, but then again when the customer says they don't want surface trunking, then I don't think that the use off mechanical protection is the next method on the list of the majority of electricians.

In reply to the OP, then the addition of the RCD is 99% of the time going to be the chosen method i'd of thought.