RCD Protection for submains

[TJC1]

Evening all

We have been asked to do some redial work picked up by a testing company i a hostel. It has been picked up that is no RCD protection in the rooms

There are 5 submain circuits that feed the 20 consumer units, 4 consumers units per submain (B32) Each room have a consumer unit which has two double sockets off a 16a radial and a lighting.

They asked my advice on whether to change the submain MCB to RCBOs or whether to change the consumer units for main switch and RCBOs

They supply cables to each consumer unit are above a plasterboard ceiling but cant be sure of the installation method, does the submain need to be RCD protected? As i dont want to put RCBOs on each circuit and also on the submain also

Thanks

 

[Bait Account]

When it was installed will not change my coding. You would change your coding based on when it was installed. Very odd.

Yes I would and you've already said you would as well. So if it was installed yesterday or back in 2007 you would give a socket outlet that could supply outdoor equipment a C3.

 

[Nigel]

Nope.

Yep

 

[Nigel]

Yes I would and you've already said you would as well. So if it was installed yesterday or back in 2007 you would give a socket outlet that could supply outdoor equipment a C3.

Errrr no! I never said that.

I very clearly said I would c2 it regardless of date of installation.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It says socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32A.
Does not say sockets which are likely to be used to feed portable equipment outside.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Errrr no! I never said that.

I very clearly said I would c2 it regardless of date of installation.

Then you said C3 if the socket wasn’t likely to be used to feed portable equipment outside.

 

[Nigel]

It says socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32A.
Does not say sockets which are likely to be used to feed portable equipment outside.

If you cannot read then I cannot help you.

 

[Bait Account]

If I come across a socket that is likely to feed portable equipment outside without an RCD installed that was installed prior to RCDs being a requirement that will be a C2. End of.

Just as if I come across a fused neutral that was installed when they were allowed.

Are you saying that it would be a different code, if the socket was not likely to feed portable equipment outside?

Yes. I would code that C3.

Errrr no! I never said that.

I very clearly said I would c2 it regardless of date of installation.

Don't think you did bud.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If you cannot read then I cannot help you.

Lol.

 

[Nigel]

Then you said C3 if the socket wasn’t likely to be used to feed portable equipment outside.

Yes because one is deemed potentially dangerous and one is advisable to improve but not dangerous. Really quite simple.

 

[Ian1981]

It says socket-outlets with a rated current not exceeding 32A.
Does not say sockets which are likely to be used to feed portable equipment outside.

So how do you power your mobile equipment outdoors?
Most people plug their mobile equipment ie a lawnmower into a socket outlet for use outdoors.

 

[Nigel]

It's you that's being ****ing stupid. I'm not the one contradicting myself.

I am not contradicting myself. If you are unaware of why sockets likely to feed portable equipment outside have different levels of danger to sockets that don’t then I am willing to help you through that but it may take some time and be a little embaressing for you. Feel free to start a thread about it and I will school you.

 

[Nigel]

So how do you power your mobile equipment outdoors?
Most people plug their mobile equipment ie a lawnmower into a socket outlet for use outdoors.

Must be a nightmare for Spin to do the grass. Having to keep hard wiring the lawnmower into a rotary isolator.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

So how do you power your mobile equipment outdoors?
Most people plug their mobile equipment ie a lawnmower into a socket outlet for use outdoors.

Absolutely, and they should use RCD protection when they do that. As per the requirements of BS7671.
That requirement can be satisfied by use of an RCD protected socket, an RCD plug or an RCD adapter.
There is no longer a requirement to provide RCD protection to a socket, just because it might be used to feed portable equipment outside.

 

[Bait Account]

I am not contradicting myself. If you are unaware of why sockets likely to feed portable equipment outside have different levels of danger to sockets that don’t then I am willing to help you through that but it may take some time and be a little embaressing for you. Feel free to start a thread about it and I will school you.

I might just do that for the comedy value bud even though I know the different levels of danger. Might be funny to see how a lump of pork can educate anyone.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Must be a nightmare for Spin to do the grass. Having to keep hard wiring the lawnmower into a rotary isolator.

Why would I need to hardwire my petrol lawnmower?