RCD testing - 2 chains of thought.

[Tiny Spark]

Yes I should add that I have always tested with loads unplugged.

As for the reason its not for convenience, I just think if you test at the furthest point you are taking a worst case scenario the same as you would with a PSC test or R1+R2 test.

As for the wondering round thing sometimes that is the case, Years ago before everything was labeled up properly we used to quite literally just plug the tester into a random socket and see if it tripped to fine what RCD's were feeding what circuits!
Thankfully times have changed and we now have the luxury of labelled sockets and site experience LOL

 

[Guitarist]

It's always comforting to give your sockets a "real life" RCD test, but providing that your RFC is all present and correct, it is unnecessary.

 

[driverman]

Was talking to spark only this week about RCD testing and he does a bit different to how I've been told to. He was saying he has been told to do test RCD the Niceic way.
His way......1. function test button.....no point testing if seized up. 2. 1 times test 0-180 3. 5 times test 0-180
4. half test..shouldn't trip ( RCD now warmed up after test 2 & 3). Is this correct?

 

[Tiny Spark]

I was always told to do a function test last as by doing it first you "lube up the system" so to speak.
Then do my tests in order 1/2, 1 and 5x at 0-180 degrees.

 

[driverman]

I was always told to do a function test last as by doing it first you "lube up the system" so to speak.
Then do my tests in order 1/2, 1 and 5x at 0-180 degrees.

Yes I've been told that way....Doing 2395 revision GN3 states our way also.

 

[Darkwood]

I was always told to do a function test last as by doing it first you "lube up the system" so to speak.

You on about the thread theme or your sex life?

 

[Guitarist]

I was always told to do a function test last as by doing it first you "lube up the system" so to speak.
Then do my tests in order 1/2, 1 and 5x at 0-180 degrees.

This is correct.

 

[DNS1]

I test at a socket because it's simpler to just plug in rather than faff with probes. If it fails, then it's time to get the cover off the board and test further.

If the circuit is connected properly at all fixtures and within the maximum length specified under 17th ed. then I don't see why you couldn't get reliable results at any point on the circuit.

 

[Tiny Spark]

You on about the thread theme or your sex life?

Thats functions fine with or without lube

 

[Engineer54]

You test RCD devices at it's terminals, (unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer) you're testing the device itself, not the whole damned circuit which should have been fully tested prior to any RCD device testing!! Nothing wrong with testing at a socket or at some other point on a circuit, for checking and /or fault finding. But for official recorded testing purposes, all testing should be conducted at the CU/DB....



As for testing sequence, leave that to your RCD/MFT test equipment!! As far as i know they all have a programmed sequence that you follow!! Normally the half rating tests are performed first, then the full rating tests followed by the 5 X tests