rcd testing confusion

[markzsparks]

Hi everybody,can anybody help,is it a regulation to check rcd operation on every circcuit.
just about to install shower cicuit which will be used as part of a elecsa assesment as well
as a consumer unit change,as im using a dual rcd board can i just test the rcds operation
on socket outlets,if not hows the best way to check it,ive looked through the big red book
and gn3 but still strugling, advice will be greatly appreciated thankyou.

 

[saveloy]

When I did my NIC assesment last year the assesor told me to check the RCD/RCBO at the board. Much easier and quicker. So in answer to your question ,no you don,t have to check RCD operation on each circuit.

 

[markzsparks]

Thanks im new to testing and have only ever checked rcds at socket outlets,i know i need to check
on the load side of the rcd is this just a matter on placing my probes on the neatral and earth bars
and the live to any mcb on that side

 

[saveloy]

Thanks im new to testing and have only ever checked rcds at socket outlets,i know i need to check
on the load side of the rcd is this just a matter on placing my probes on the neatral and earth bars
and the live to any mcb on that side

Just place the probes on the Live and neutral (load side) terminals of the RCD or RCBO and your earth bar. You are testing the trip time of the RCD / RCBO under different current loads that s all.

 

[markzsparks]

Thanks saveloy for the valuable imformation

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Hi everybody,can anybody help,is it a regulation to check rcd operation on every circcuit.
just about to install shower cicuit which will be used as part of a elecsa assesment as well
as a consumer unit change,as im using a dual rcd board can i just test the rcds operation
on socket outlets,if not hows the best way to check it,ive looked through the big red book
and gn3 but still strugling, advice will be greatly appreciated thankyou.

The Elecsa assesor always ask me what are the seven tests required to verify that the RCD is functioning correctly.....................Answers on a postcard please.

Cheers....................Howard

 

[bluetoffee367@f]

The tests on a rcd is times 1/2 on the negative and positive and the rcd should not trip. you then test on times 1 on both negative and postive cycles and the rcd should trip in under 200 milli seconds. You the test at times 5 again on the negative and positive and the rcd should operate in under 40 milli seconds. That is six tests and the seventh is to press the trip button on the rcd which should be done every 3 months. Note that this test only proves the mechanical components are working.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

The tests on a rcd is times 1/2 on the negative and positive and the rcd should not trip. you then test on times 1 on both negative and postive cycles and the rcd should trip in under 200 milli seconds. You the test at times 5 again on the negative and positive and the rcd should operate in under 40 milli seconds. That is six tests and the seventh is to press the trip button on the rcd which should be done every 3 months. Note that this test only proves the mechanical components are working.

Its word perfect, you must be that Elecsa assesor

 

[saveloy]

Just like to point out that when testing RCBO's (BS61009) the trip time, with a leakage current of 100% of rated tripping current, is 300m/s. This was pointed out to me on my assesment after I quoted 200m/s

 

[andekoch]

Also note that (some) RCBO's use the cable of the circuit that they are protecting as part of their detection circuit so if there is no live cable connected to the RCBO load side and you test it it is likely it will fail.