IMHO, RCD protection IS required for socket outlets under all commonplace circumstances in workplaces.

It would in my view be reasonable to use RCD socket outlets in many cases so as to limit the consequences of earth leakage to a single item of equipment. And whilst it can be argued that RCD socket outlets are not "approved" by the wiring regs, it would in my view be reasonable to list this as a departure from the regs, but one that provides an equivalent degree of safety.

Much better in effect to say "we have provided equivalent safety measures by use of RCD socket outlets" than to say "we omitted RCD protection because it would risk downtime"

The wiring system must of course be a type that does not need RCD protection.


If the conditions are indeed clean, dry, and well maintained, then RCD trips should be exceedingly rare events.


If even very rare RCD trips are intolerable, then it might be worth considering alternatives to mains voltage as a source of energy. Alternatives might include SELV, pneumatic power, hydraulic power, small dry cells, or other alternatives that carry no risk of dangerous electric shock.


As regards process shutdowns for RCD testing, it MIGHT be possible to argue that intervals between such tests could be extended in low risk situations, provided that the RCDs ARE tested whenever possible such as when a plant stoppage occurs for some other reasons. Better an RCD tested less frequently, than no RCD !.


One installation in which I was involved was a continual production process, any stoppage of which would be costly. Numerous sensors and instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, weight, or humidity were involved. These all used ELV derived from small plug top PSUs, all were plugged into RCD sockets, not one of which has ever tripped.

IMHO, RCD protection IS required for socket outlets under all commonplace circumstances in workplaces.

It would in my view be reasonable to use RCD socket outlets in many cases so as to limit the consequences of earth leakage to a single item of equipment. And whilst it can be argued that RCD socket outlets are not "approved" by the wiring regs, it would in my view be reasonable to list this as a departure from the regs, but one that provides an equivalent degree of safety.

Much better in effect to say "we have provided equivalent safety measures by use of RCD socket outlets" than to say "we omitted RCD protection because it would risk downtime"

The wiring system must of course be a type that does not need RCD protection.


If the conditions are indeed clean, dry, and well maintained, then RCD trips should be exceedingly rare events.


If even very rare RCD trips are intolerable, then it might be worth considering alternatives to mains voltage as a source of energy. Alternatives might include SELV, pneumatic power, hydraulic power, small dry cells, or other alternatives that carry no risk of dangerous electric shock.


As regards process shutdowns for RCD testing, it MIGHT be possible to argue that intervals between such tests could be extended in low risk situations, provided that the RCDs ARE tested whenever possible such as when a plant stoppage occurs for some other reasons. Better an RCD tested less frequently, than no RCD !.


One installation in which I was involved was a continual production process, any stoppage of which would be costly. Numerous sensors and instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, weight, or humidity were involved. These all used ELV derived from small plug top PSUs, all were plugged into RCD sockets, not one of which has ever tripped.