I have a Client that will not provide a Risk Assessment to omit an RCD Commando Socket for a Data Cabinet. He wishes to employ a local isolator for the Cabinet, however he is concerned that the PDU Strip that arrived on site from the factory and pre-fitted within the data cabinet would still need an RCD. It is my opinion that the Factory built Data Rack is classed as a piece of equipment and as such does not form part of the Contractor's installation. If the Rack had arrived on site without the PDU strip fitted and it was installed by the Contractor then this would form part of the installation and therefore would require an RCD. Any advice/assistance would be appreciated.
Given BS EN 50310 (which is referred to from BS 7671), at least some of the rack power distribution is covered by BS 7671, as to the latest version of BS EN 50310 it requires local bonding to the rack earth bar, and the rack earth bar bonding to the room earthing etc.
This does indeed ask the question whether RCD protection is required for the socket-outlets if no risk assessment is provided.
The only other option open to you is to use rack power distribution units that employ couplers (to BS EN 60320) rather than socket-outlets to BS 1363 or BS EN 60309 - BS 7671 does not (at present) require RCD protection for couplers. So provided the power distribution strips comply with relevant standards ...
Given BS EN 50310 (which is referred to from BS 7671), at least some of the rack power distribution is covered by BS 7671, as to the latest version of BS EN 50310 it requires local bonding to the rack earth bar, and the rack earth bar bonding to the room earthing etc.
This does indeed ask the question whether RCD protection is required for the socket-outlets if no risk assessment is provided.
The only other option open to you is to use rack power distribution units that employ couplers (to BS EN 60320) rather than socket-outlets to BS 1363 or BS EN 60309 - BS 7671 does not (at present) require RCD protection for couplers. So provided the power distribution strips comply with relevant standards ...
