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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!
  • 0
    "So moving on I have actually bought a supply of Europa double pole RCBOs  and enclosures, now explain me how one of those inserted into an existing circuit affords a better level of additional protection than a DP SRCD?"


    Because they comply with BS EN 61008 which is a device tested to a higher standard than BS 7288 devices and they comply with the requirement set out in 531.3.4.1. I feel sure you will soon see an SRCD that complies with BS EN 61008, BS 1363 and BS 7288.
  • 0

    John Peckham:

    Chris


    Your SRCD near doors to the outside on your 15th Edition installation were no no doubt put there to comply with regulation 471-12 of the 15th Edition to protect leads and appliances going outside the equipotential zone. Your SRCDs would have no doubt complied with BS 7288-1990 not the current BS 7288-2016. I would recommend you bring your whole installation up to the 18th Edition standard for the added benefits. Just to show I am not smug I have a house with a 16th Edition installation. I have a new dual RCD board sitting on the floor waiting for me to get my a**e in to gear and get it fitted, in my defence I do now have Type 2 surge protection on my newly fitted REC 2 isolator carried out as part of the enabling works for the CU upgrade.



    Cobblers! Although in this particular case it is that it is the cobbler who has leaky shoes whilst his children have nice shiny new ones (one rewire, one new build). ?


    Work is progressing in stages. The next one is to provide a link between two buildings so that distribution circuits may be brought across.


    Oh yes, and at some stage I should do an EICR.
    If I may ask a rude question, " Are you happy to sign EICs and Minor Works as being compliant with BS 7671 when you have fitted an SRCD"? How would you code a BS 7288-2016 having discovered one on a periodic inspection?

    C3 for me. It has to be coded as a non-compliance.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    John Peckham:

    Good morning members of the flat earth society, at least it feels that way as those people refuse to believed any evidence that is contrary to their belief.


    A few points that may help some of you come to a different view.





    4.BS 7671 511.1. and then a look through Appendix 1 to see if BS 7288 is there?

    5. BS 7671 Regulation 133.1.3.

     





     




    Hi John, BS 7288 wasn't listed in appendix 1 of the 2008 17th edition, and here is a related topic from ye old forum:

    https://www2.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=28346


    Would you mind explaining why this has fairly recently become an issue that you hold dearly? ps, you seem to be struggling to get your new board fitted, I have a couple of hours spare next week if you need any help :)


     

  • 0

    John Peckham:

    "So moving on I have actually bought a supply of Europa double pole RCBOs  and enclosures, now explain me how one of those inserted into an existing circuit affords a better level of additional protection than a DP SRCD?"


    Because they comply with BS EN 61008 which is a device tested to a higher standard than BS 7288 devices and they comply with the requirement set out in 531.3.4.1. I feel sure you will soon see an SRCD that complies with BS EN 61008, BS 1363 and BS 7288. 




    I think I am correct in saying the new BS7288 devices are tested to withstand the same fault currents as they would if they were installed within a consumer unit, like the BS EN 61008 and BS EN 61009 devices, although they generally should not experience the same level of stress.


    I am beginning to forget what, and where, I have read things.


    Andy Betteridge

  • 0
    Pages 37 and 38 of the November 2019 Professional Electrician Magazine


    or The magazine website


    Andy Betteridge
  • 0
    Don’t miss the pin up boys on page 24 ?
  • 0
    Andy


    Wrong about the fault current rating by a long way.
  • 0

    weirdbeard:



    Hi John, BS 7288 wasn't listed in appendix 1 of the 2008 17th edition, and here is a related topic from ye old forum:

    https://www2.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=28346


    Would you mind explaining why this has fairly recently become an issue that you hold dearly? ps, you seem to be struggling to get your new board fitted, I have a couple of hours spare next week if you need any help :)


     


     




    BS 7288 itself has been updated.


    The current version of BS 7288 does not have the same provisions as the previous version, and, in addition, attempts, perhaps somewhat clumsily, to interpret BS 7671 using a mixture of terminology ... and further clearly says that additional protection must already be present in the circuit in which it is installed.


    So, this isn't just BS 7671 we're discussing here, but the product standard itself.

  • 0

    John Peckham:

    Andy


    Wrong about the fault current rating by a long way.




    I didn't write the article, there could be a lot higher current than 1500 amps,  though it doesn't make it clear if they can only cope with that or a higher current,  though I would agree that is typically what is measured in homes.


    I  cannot say I seen many switched fused connection units that have blown to pieces and they are produced to the other British Standard these devices comply with. 


    Andy Betteridge 

  • 0
    Clumsy is a word that has frequently come to mind in discussions on this subject. 


    Andy Betteridge

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