stand alone rcd

[ukpablo]

anybody reccomend any good stand alone rcd?

have a cct board, no rcd protection, cant get rcbo for type of board as mentioned in previous post, need to protect 6A upstairs light cct as light has changed in bathroom.............a stand alone rcd was mentioned?!

any pointers?

cheers all for previous comments too.

 

[Des 56]

There is a preocupation with reliance on Rcds,where some now believe the answer to any job, however small, now requires this Rcd

Rcds are in general an extra protection to the primary need for good earth and bonding and high current fault paths

It s a like for like replacement as mentioned before

I would swap out the fitting,test the circuit in question,ensure the existing earthing and bonding are adequate and fill out a minor woks certificate and recomend if you want,the installation of Rcd protection for the whole of the installation.as an extra benefit and insurance,not as a must have

 

[robsparky1975]

Have you only changed light like for like?ie no alteration to existing circuit.

 

[ukpablo]

thanks des.................much appreciated, and i have not touched install yet rob..........., was seeking advice before re-contacting customer after finding out i could not get an rcbo!................many thanks guys, will take your advice des and get busy with the supp bonding me thinks etc! . thnks too rob

 

[nabil ghoneim]

. Thank you for this wonderful greeting and I wish cooperate with the members to upgrade this forum

 

[Amp David]

Just done a job similar to the OPs, but involved changing from a single cieling rose to 5 spots, shower fan and light and fan isolator. Originally spent time thinking of sourcing an RCD to add to the upstairs lighting, then only to find that the landing/stairs were using a borrowed neutral.

After speaking with a collegue with quite a bit more time in the trade than myself, he also advised of making sure that the supp bonding was up to scratch, all tests checked out and note it on cert.

Like he said, if the customer isn't willing to shell out for a new CU, rewiring of the landing lights to fix the borrowed neutral and any other bit you find, then just make sure the work I was doing was up to scratch.

 

[ukpablo]

cool..............think that this is what i will do as it is only changing a light, the mcb is also being shared? i assume to one other light, maybe in the new extension which is about 10 yrs old? should i just leave this or purchase a new mcb and split? more work for me and messing with potentially other ccts?.........im tempted to just leave it alone. what do u think?

 

[Risteard]

fill out a minor woks certificate

A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate certifies that the circuit modified complies with BS 7671:2008.

 

[Amp David]

Its a no win situation sometimes.

Customer will not pay extra for something that will bring the work in line with regs 100%.If you don't do it someone else will. No chance am I turning away work like this as its making a living and not something I do for fun.

When your customers don't or won't part with the cash to make their installs in line 100% with regs, I'll make sure any work is safe, may not comply 100% but its as safe as it possibly can be, fill out cert and make comments regarding isuues.

If I ever get questioned about it i'll cross that bridge when I come to it. One thing to point out though is if I'm in this situation, then before commencing the work, I have a nice little agreement that customer signs to say they won't pay for extra works to bring things inline with regs

 

[pushrod]

Its a no win situation sometimes.

Customer will not pay extra for something that will bring the work in line with regs 100%., I have a nice little agreement that customer signs to say they won't pay for extra works to bring things inline with regs

That sounds interesting - is that a pre printed slip?

 

[TPES]

If changing a ceiling Rose for 5 spots and a fan then you are adding cable to the circuit, which needs to be RCD protected, especially in a bathroom, surely there's no other way? If it was acceptable to cut corners and just put a note on the certificate wouldn't we all do it?

 

[Des 56]

If changing a ceiling Rose for 5 spots and a fan then you are adding cable to the circuit, which needs to be RCD protected, especially in a bathroom, surely there's no other way? If it was acceptable to cut corners and just put a note on the certificate wouldn't we all do it?

If the circuit was being altered or added to,yes
The issue here is a like for like replacement and a minor works which it has been said must comply with Bs 7671 2008

The minor works may also be used for the replacement of a luminaire
The work carried out is the replacement,not the circuit that feeds that replacement

As long as the actual work carried out,ie the fitting of a replacement light, complies with Bs7671 2008 then the circuit it is supplied from may be to an earlier edition,there is a box for comments observed for this to be noted

Here is the view of the safety council and their guidanceAlterations and Additions in Domestic and Similar Premises

Simillar works have guidance questions
EDQ8
EDQ10
Edq16
Note there is no need for Installaing an RCD

 

[TPES]

My mistake, your correct, like for like replacement would be fine as is. I must have misread what was wrote, I took it that a fitting was being replaced for 5 downlights and a shower fan, which would be an addition to the circuit. Requiring an RCD.

Am I wrong in thinking that this work would require an RCD then?

 

[Des 56]

Your not wrong TPES

At least the extended or altered part must comply
Rcd and Bonding( unless the bonding can be excluded) to be installed


Ha! I just noticed your old name
Got fed up of it did you?

 

[pushrod]

Here is the view of the safety council and their guidanceAlterations and Additions in Domestic and Similar Premises

Cheers Des useful link there , have bookmarked it for future reference