RCD Quandary.

[telectrix]

basically, done a EICR for rental. 12 way wylex with 3871 MCBs, no RCD at all, so a few C2's and C3's. ideal world is a new CU with RCBOs, or even a dual RCD board. landlord won't pay more than necessary as it's a short term let and due to be demolished as soon as he gets planning for 2 houses on the land. upfront RCD would get rid of the "fails" on the installation, but 1 rogue circuit and the lot is dead. what would you do?

 

[pc1966]

Obviously when you combine an MCB and an RCD , fault finding can become a little more complicated.
Thrown in an AFD on top of that that with occasional random trips

I may be overthinking it

The issue of false trips and diagnostics to prove if the AFDD is dodgy or there really is a sparking event on the circuit is a major point to me. Already we need to allow for the occasional RCD trip for no apparent reason (OK, usually something switching), but when a customer has spent £1-2k on a new AFDD board they really are going to be unhappy if that is more common.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Agreed, the more things we combine together the more difficult it is to diagnose, I used to be able to work on my car engine without a problem, but not anymore, unless it's mechanical.

 

[Mikegh]

Agreed, the more things we combine together the more difficult it is to diagnose, I used to be able to work on my car engine without a problem, but not anymore, unless it's mechanical.

I'm not familiar with AFDs yet in practice but that would be my thinking

If.u had one of those combi things trip once a month you could end up doing a lot of troubleshooting

Probably not too bad I suppose if it's only rcbo combi

 

[Mikegh]

I'm not familiar with AFDs yet in practice but that would be my thinking

If.u had one of those combi things trip once a month you could end up doing a lot of troubleshooting

Probably not too bad I suppose if it's only rcbo combi

I suppose realistically for a DB that's the way it has to be
All the protection combined on a single mod device

 

[nicebutdim]

I'm not familiar with AFDs yet in practice but that would be my thinking

If.u had one of those combi things trip once a month you could end up doing a lot of troubleshooting

Probably not too bad I suppose if it's only rcbo combi

David Savery posted a number of videos about AFDDs, culminating with the video posted below. What stuck in my mind, relevant to the last couple of posts, is the fact that (at least some) AFDDs will indicate the type of fault detected when tripped.

 

[Mikegh]

David Savery posted a number of videos about AFDDs, culminating with the video posted below. What stuck in my mind, relevant to the last couple of posts, is the fact that (at least some) AFDDs will indicate the type of fault detected when tripped.

Is that 1 min or 1 hr lol

 

[nicebutdim]

Is that 1 min or 1 hr lol

His videos are generally long, but enjoyable.

 

[Mikegh]

I've barely researched arc fault devices and know pretty much nothing so can be shot down and probably will be

Isn't the idea of a safe installation that arc faults don't pose a hazard without AFDs being installed

 

[nicebutdim]

Isn't the idea of a safe installation that arc faults don't pose a hazard without AFDs being installed

This has been discussed at length on the forum and David Savery has also investigated the matter in some depth.

I won't offer any personal opinion as I'm not knowledgable enough to confidently back it up, but I can recommend relaxing with a beer while watching Savery's commentary on the matter.

 

[Mikegh]

This has been discussed at length on the forum and David Savery has also investigated the matter in some depth.

I won't offer any personal opinion as I'm not knowledgable enough to confidently back it up, but I can recommend relaxing with a beer while watching Savery's commentary on the matter.

Maybe I should just watch the video lol

 

[nicebutdim]

Maybe I should just watch the video lol

...and the others that preceed it ?

 

[timhoward]

His videos are generally long, but enjoyable.

That lot on 60A....! Feel better about my house now!

 

[nicebutdim]

That lot on 60A....! Feel better about my house now!

Large loads controlled by a Garo priority unit.

Pretty sure it was David Savery that first sparked interest for these units, in the UK.

 

[timhoward]

I won't offer any personal opinion as I'm not knowledgable enough to confidently back it up, but I can recommend relaxing with a beer while watching Savery's commentary on the matter.

16 minutes in, I've just paused to get the beer. Thanks for pointing out the omission.

 

[Mikegh]

...and the others that preceed it ?

I should keep my trap shut til I get some basic information

 

[nicebutdim]

I should keep my trap shut til I get some basic information

General consensus would concur with your thoughts, although that's not to say they're entirely without merit.

 

[telectrix]

we didn't need transistors in 1940. we didn't need RCDs in 1960. the human race has survived. WTF do we need AFDDs now? just another money maker. same as ipaps.

 

[DPG]

we didn't need transistors in 1940. we didn't need RCDs in 1960. the human race has survived. WTF do we need AFDDs now? just another money maker. same as ipaps.

You still got those square wheels on your car Tel?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Perhaps not square wheels, but may be cross ply tyres.

 

[Mikegh]

we didn't need transistors in 1940. we didn't need RCDs in 1960. the human race has survived. WTF do we need AFDDs now? just another money maker. same as ipaps.

RCDs ,not the most reliable devices in the world

But it's hard to argue with differential trip

Now where's my voltsticks

 

[static zap]

WTF do we need AFDDs now?

Need smoke detectors and DC sensiive RCD = RCBO too,
due to all the Electronic carp we get cheap form china.
( If USB chargers of a reasonable quality are included in sockets - Maybe they will include an Isolate mode .. ( In my dreams ).
people wont risk nasty -Hold on tight shocks. from cheap n nasty stuff they plug in.
--Mains plugs moulded in soft plastic , on the end of washing machines-
..my WTF moment ! ..