RCD socket outlet.

BS 7288 not mentioned in the list of approved RCDs in the AMD2 draft reg 531.3.4.1


Edit; someone just posted a comment to include them

So you can fit a BS 7288 SRCD only if there is no intention for it to be operated by any person.

No - as BS 7288 is absent from both lists. (The only difference between the two lists is that the ones for skilled persons also has BS EN 60947-2 to cover CBRs and MRCDs)


  -  Andy.

I fitted my first RCD twin socket around 2 years ago. That seems to be in line with the regs. I will be installing a unit in the front porch for the mower. both fed via an MCB. Will my worst nightmare be realised in the future when Mr Peckham knocks on my door armed with the XX edition guide book and tells me that the rear RCD socket is in order but the front porch unit "needs improvement".?


Regards, UKPN.

Sounds like you made a good point or two there Andy

531.3.4.1 lists the RCDs intended for use by ordinary persons, 531.3.4.2 lists those for skilled people.


There is some other things that need sorting as well, such as are the BS7288 devices isolators and suitable for providing additional protection.


I expect that BS7288 needs tidying up and the product specification needs clarification before the BS7671 can sign off on their inclusion in the lists of approved RCDs in the Wiring Regulations 


Having said that my wife was somewhat surprised it could take three years to sort the paperwork out and in the meantime it needs to be noted on the certificate that is one has been installed it is a departure from the Wiring Regulations.


My my wife wants to know why the IET can’t they issue a  corrigendum to BS7671?


Am I right in thinking that BS8277 needs sorting out first?


Andy Betteridge 

Is that down to the authors of BS7288:2016 being clumsy with the use of words from BS7671?


I agree with John Peckham that these RCD devices being omitted from the Wiring Regulations is probably not an error on the part of the authors of BS7671, but is due to how BS7288:2016 was drafted by its authors and the specifications that was drawn up for them by those authors and the manufacturers, which in some instances are one and the same.


Andy Betteridge

'Connections page 37.'

That is good news in the magazine, if it is true. There is a good chance it is because of the upgrade of BS7288 and so now the SRCDs may be of a high enough standard to be included. Good for the customer, end user and the manufacturers.

However, this does not change the fact that additional protection is required before fitting one.

BS7288 - 'SRCDs are intended for use in circuits where the fault protection and additional

protection are already assured upstream of the SRCD.'

A case in point - the customer wants an external socket on the wall outside for her xmas lights, there is no RCD protection anywhere in the building. What additional protection should I put in place upstream so as to comply with BS7288 ?

Those of us who don’t get the NICEIC Connections Magazine can access it online through ISSUU.COM


You will need a free account, then you will be able to access a huge variety of magazines.


The article that Alcomax has detailed above is on page 37 of the current Autumn 2019 NICEIC Connections Magazine.


Andy Betteridge

Looks to me you`ve found the best workable solution under this set of circumstances.

In an ideal world you`d RCD the whole circuit - extra cost and even more so if you find faults on the existing circuit or whatever is connected to it.

If you`ve persuaded the customer to upgrade in the very near future and that is indeed all well and good.

However, despite their intention today, it might not happen and they might get a bloke down the pub to do it.

You might be called to justify your actions one day.

It`s a judgement call, we all make them everyday in every walk of life.


Example, I`ve rewired quite a few houses, the majority were occupied at the time, quite a few by 70, 80 even 90 year olds.

Ideally strip out the old then rewire new.

Often the existing would be pretty flimsy so disturbing it was a big no no.

So I`d leave the existing running and do a complete new installation.

On last day I`d disconnect the exisiting and power up the new.

Phew! I could breathe again, their electrics is now "safe" whilst beforehand it was not.

Do. I then strip out the old? Ideally yes, but often they do not want me to and I can`t persuade `em.

Do I undertake the job in the first place or do I walk? I undertake it.

I remember one time though I was dealing thru a person`s solicitor who had power of attorney.

The existing was so bad it was pretty much lethal. Any banging on walls/lifting floorboards would increase the risks unacceptably.

I was not prepared to risk that person.

I insisted that I would only do it if the person moved out temporarily then I could strip out first then completely rewire.

Even though I had evaluated that this particular person was not only old but of such a mental state that the trauma of temporary relocation would likely see them off.

I passed the decision to the solicitor. Either leave them in a dangerous installation where they might just live out their days normally or move them temporary or permanently and perhaps kill `em off by moving.

I walked, A rock and a hard place situation.

Actually the solicitor agreed my dilema and was going to contact family and the local unsociable services people.

I did hear, third hand, that the person was left in that situation and lived a further few years.

Was that the right decision? NO, there was no right decision available, just alternative wrong decisions and you decide which wrong decision to make then you live with it.