rcd protection on sockets

[deanmac]

hi guys if a bank of 20 sockets wired in surface trunking on a radial circuit,these sockets would be used for computers gameboys and music equipment,my question is would they need to be rcd protected ? i know normally they would not,it's just that my mate said if protecting computers they should, i cannot find anything on this

 

[DPG]

Still surprised that so much IT equipment can be classed as a domestic installation.

It's in a house - it's domestic. Just because their hobby is computers/consoles etc. makes no difference.

 

[deanmac]

If you are worried about nuisance tripping, if practically possible, why not split the radial into 2 or 3 circuits rather than one? As Lucien mentioned, if the accumulative earth leakage is sufficient to trip the rcd then it could be dangerously high anyhow, potentially making the circuit unsafe to use. Omitting the rcd rather than re-designing the install is not the answer. It is your duty as an electrician to design any install to a safe standard for all possible scenarios.

You cannot rely on a person's "word" that nothing else will ever be plugged in. You know as well as I do that this just doesn't happen in real life.

I think you are doing the right thing by installing a rcbo

i did consider extra circuits but not enough room in board

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Another option is RCD sockets.

 

[deanmac]

Another option is RCD sockets.

to expensive would need 20 to be honest the equipment won't be on all at the same time

 

[Octopus]

i did consider extra circuits but not enough room in board

Quote the customer for the right solution , not a fudge .....

 

[123]

to expensive would need 20 to be honest the equipment won't be on all at the same time

Is this for your mate, or you? Seems to me like it's for you.

 

[bernie4253]

Apart from the cost, which is small in relation to the rest of the install, why wouldn't you install an RCD if there is any doubt about the need, even if the regs do not require it?

 

[bernie4253]

Sorry, didn't read the whole thread and saw the board limit!

 

[brianmoooore]

Lack of space in the CU isn't an excuse. The circuit can be surface wired from a non RCD protected spare way in the CU to more than one RCD FCUs close to the sockets, with each RCD feeding a group of sockets.