When did RCDs on socket outlets become mandatory?

[EastAnglian]

Which of the amendments to the 16th edition Regs made it mandatory for socket outlets to be protected by a 30mA RCD for all new work?

I've been very surprised this week to find on a pre-work check for a house built in 1995 that there is no RCD protection whatsover on the installation. Memera board with cartridge fuses.

even more surprising (though hardly rare!) was the extension built in 2005 simply used another way on the same board, again no RCDs.

This is an estate house built by Bloor.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

It's never been mandatory for new work...and still isn't....under the 16th (pre-2008) any socket which might reasonably be expected to supply equipment outdoors....and under the 17th (post 2008) all 13a sockets unless for a specific item of equipment and clearly labelled.

 

[EastAnglian]

Thanks for quick response - I was under the impression that an amendment to 16th effectively 'introduced' the phrase which we now see in 17th but maybe that's just old age!

Mandatory is perhaps the wrong word, though I would say that for all intents & purposes in domestic installations RCDs it is very hard to justify not protecting socket outlets now.

 

[Engineer54]

Makes you wonder how we all survived without/before the cure-all RCD devices!! Amazing really!! lol!!!

 

[Knobhead]

We must lead charmed lives, other than that we're old and impervious to damage!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I believe the requirement to provide RCD protection for socket-outlets which may reasonably be expected to be used for portable equipment outdoors came in during the 15th edition.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I believe the requirement to provide RCD protection for socket-outlets which may reasonably be expected to be used for portable equipment outdoors came in during the 15th edition.

Correct.