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

 

[Ian1981]

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.

But there’s a requirement to provide additional protection to all sockets upto 32 amps regardless, the risk is higher the fact that you maybe using portable equipment outdoors, so as the inspector you need to risk assess and weigh up that risk.
If people are using equipment outdoors which is not rcd protected or the socket outlet they are using then the risk of danger has increased

 

[Nigel]

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.

So you know why one is C2 and the other is C3?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

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.

You might want to consider learning to read, before offering to teach.

 

[Ian1981]

Is it just me, when replaying to a comment the dam site freezes and you end up posting the same message twice!

 

[westward10]

If members cannot post comments without throwing insults then leave the thread. This is an old debate which often raises temperatures and some posts have been deleted.

 

[Nigel]

Is it just me, when replaying to a comment the dam site freezes and you end up posting the same message twice!

Instead of posting again just refresh page. Your post will only appear once. Happens to me all the time. Very annoying.

 

[Ian1981]

Instead of posting again just refresh page. Your post will only appear once. Happens to me all the time. Very annoying.

It’s on my iPhone
I’m getting the eyes of the wife!
Better go

 

[Deleted member 26818]

But there’s a requirement to provide additional protection to all sockets upto 32 amps regardless, the risk is higher the fact that you maybe using portable equipment outdoors, so as the inspector you need to risk assess and weigh up that risk.
If people are using equipment outdoors which is not rcd protected or the socket outlet they are using thus the equipment Thein is not protected,then the risk of danger has increased

See when I do Inspections, I do them to the current edition.
Any non-compliances, I then quote the Regulation that’s not being complied with.
I don’t make up a Regulation, or borrow one from 11 years ago.

Again we have this ‘might’ rear it’s ugly head.
Should we code that someone might install a socket within 3m of a bath or shower?
What else should we code for, that people might do?

 

[Ian1981]

See when I do Inspections, I do them to the current edition.
Any non-compliances, I then quote the Regulation that’s not being complied with.
I don’t make up a Regulation, or borrow one from 11 years ago.

Again we have this ‘might’ rear it’s ugly head.
Should we code that someone might install a socket within 3m of a bath or shower?
What else should we code for, that people might do?

I think I’ve made it abundantly clear that I inspect to the current edition.
The fact a homeowner for example with a rear or infact any garden is very likely to use mobile equipment outdoors by plugging into a near socket outlet makes it a fact and not a ‘might ‘
A simple question to the homeowner or client about their use of equipment can point you in the right direction about how they use the installation.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I think I’ve made it abundantly clear that I inspect to the current edition.
The fact a homeowner for example with a rear or infact any garden is very likely to use mobile equipment outdoors by plugging into a near socket outlet makes it a fact and not a ‘might ‘
A simple question to the homeowner or client about their use of equipment can point you in the right direction about how they use the installation.

So that would be using mobile equipment outdoors without RCD protection, code C2.
Not, socket might be used for something outdoors code C2.

 

[Ian1981]

So that would be using mobile equipment outdoors without RCD protection, code C2.
Not, socket might be used for something outdoors code C2.

When did I say a C2 for anything to do with a socket outlet?
Yes I agree the context of the code should be for the fact equipment being used externally has no additional protection.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

When did I say a C2 for anything to do with a socket outlet?

Don’t know?

 

[Nigel]

Some threads are just so painfull.

It is so simple.

 

[Ian1981]

spin As always it’s been........ draining

 

[45140]

The EICR is simply that.

You are reporting on the condition of the installation not how people might use the installation.

You cannot proceed on the basis of what someone might do otherwise you would code everything at least a C2. Supposing the householder has a gardener who uses a petrol lawnmower ??.

I can see it being recommended but only if it was obvious that equipment was being used outside and certainly what you are proposing is not what I was taught.