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18th question.

Former Community Member over 6 years ago

Hi all, any comments welcome on this one.
Is it still acceptable to have a socket outlet for a specific use not rcd protected under the 18th?
I fitted a single 13a socket outlet recently in a loft space for one of my regular customers, it is to supply a security camera system and the suppliers asked for a socket to be provided. It is supplied from the first floor lighting circuit which doesn't have rcd protection. (16th. ed. board) There is not the slightest chance of the socket being used to supply anything else and I would like to issue a mwc stating that the socket is only to be used for this specific purpose. If it's a major issue I could get back to the customer and arrange to fit an rcbo but I don't really think that is necessary? Thinking now about going back to change socket for an rcd protected one?

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0 Former Community Member over 5 years ago

Hi, I would say using a 13A socket fed from the upstairs lighting circuit could be a deviation from the regulations as the socket could be used for something else and since you have not said what size the cable is for the lighting circuit, it was common practice at one time to use 1.0mm twin and cps cable for the lighting circuit, I would have run a dedicated 2.5mm radial circuit and since the latest edition of the regulations specify RCD protection where the cables are not enclosed in a metallic enclosure when buried in the walls in a new installation this would pose a problem unless of course you used MICC cable to feed the socket. As the installer/designer you will take ultimate responsibility for the installation. I would say that installing a 13A socket into a lighting circuit would be a deviation from the regulations as you have no control on what the consumer could do with that socket, yes the circuit protective device would ultimately protect the circuit. I believe that you would also have to carry out a Risk Assessment for that circuit to justify it, see Regulation 411.3.3 also you would have to check Maximum Disconnection time see table 41.1.
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0 Former Community Member over 5 years ago

Hi, I would say using a 13A socket fed from the upstairs lighting circuit could be a deviation from the regulations as the socket could be used for something else and since you have not said what size the cable is for the lighting circuit, it was common practice at one time to use 1.0mm twin and cps cable for the lighting circuit, I would have run a dedicated 2.5mm radial circuit and since the latest edition of the regulations specify RCD protection where the cables are not enclosed in a metallic enclosure when buried in the walls in a new installation this would pose a problem unless of course you used MICC cable to feed the socket. As the installer/designer you will take ultimate responsibility for the installation. I would say that installing a 13A socket into a lighting circuit would be a deviation from the regulations as you have no control on what the consumer could do with that socket, yes the circuit protective device would ultimately protect the circuit. I believe that you would also have to carry out a Risk Assessment for that circuit to justify it, see Regulation 411.3.3 also you would have to check Maximum Disconnection time see table 41.1.
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18th question.

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