The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 98 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 10866 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

RCD socket outlet.

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hi all,
Any comments on this one most welcome!
A customer wants me to replace an existing one gang 13 amp socket outlet with a double.
The problem is that there's no rcd protection there, so i'm thinking that as I am in effect adding a socket outlet I should fit an rcd protected one?
If I were replacing like for like it wouldn't bother me at all but the fact it's going to be a double makes me think an rcd protected one is the thing to do, just seems a bit ott to fit one rcd protected socket when there are probably 20 others that aren't rcd'd!
Parents
  • 0
    A socket outlet or SCFU with a built in RCD will only provide RCD protection to what is connected downstream of if.


    So for example if the main earth conductor is missing or defective a fault on an existing non-RCD protected circuit elsewhere in the installation such as a lighting circuit could raise the touch voltage on the metal case of an appliance downstream of the RCD socket or SFCU to a dangerous level.


    Now for the REALITY CHECK there is EXACTLY THE SAME RISK if the circuit has a RCD or RCBO upfront of it in or alongside the consumer unit.


    So any 30 mA RCD device can only be installed with confidence if the circuit and equipment downstream of it it effectively earthed so that a fault elsewhere in the installation won’t raise the voltage on the CPC and connected class I appliances above 50 volts and in a TT installation there is a suitably rated and effective RCD main switch.


    Do not forget the basic requirements for safe electrical installation work.


     Andy Betteridge 


Reply
  • 0
    A socket outlet or SCFU with a built in RCD will only provide RCD protection to what is connected downstream of if.


    So for example if the main earth conductor is missing or defective a fault on an existing non-RCD protected circuit elsewhere in the installation such as a lighting circuit could raise the touch voltage on the metal case of an appliance downstream of the RCD socket or SFCU to a dangerous level.


    Now for the REALITY CHECK there is EXACTLY THE SAME RISK if the circuit has a RCD or RCBO upfront of it in or alongside the consumer unit.


    So any 30 mA RCD device can only be installed with confidence if the circuit and equipment downstream of it it effectively earthed so that a fault elsewhere in the installation won’t raise the voltage on the CPC and connected class I appliances above 50 volts and in a TT installation there is a suitably rated and effective RCD main switch.


    Do not forget the basic requirements for safe electrical installation work.


     Andy Betteridge 


Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines