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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!
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    '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 ?
  • 0
    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
  • 0
    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 


  • 0
    Sounds like you made a good point or two there Andy
  • 0

    Sparkingchip:

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




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

  • 0
    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.Zap
  • 0

    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.
  • 0
    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

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