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Use of RCD protection in industrial and commercial installations

Andy
Hello All

We all know the benefits of RCD protection and how the regulations are changing regarding domestics. I am constantly being asked if RCDs are required for normal switched socket circuits in industrial installations apart from the obvious use of RCDs for areas likely to cause a reduction in resistance (sockets that could conceivably be used out side). So are RCDs required for general office circuits, for dedicated IT equipment (computers etc), work areas such as clean dry packing areas and so on.


Given RCDs require testing regularly and the results recorded which causes disruption to production equipment, IT equipment, Data centers etc are RCDs really required especially if they are installed within steel conduit or steel trunking on walls or under floors?


Any advice welcome


Andy
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    Rack mounted computer equipment doesn't have to connect via a 'socket-outlet'; cable couplers and appliance outlets could be used instead, and in this case:

    (a) BS 7671 does NOT require RCD protection, as Regulation 411.3.3 only requires RCD protection for socket-outlets, NOT cable couplers and appliance connectors.

    (b) Additional protection should be in place by providing supplementary local equipotential bonding, which is required by BS EN 50310 (and this is referenced from BS 7671 for such installations in Section 444).

    (c) Such equipment is usually housed in locked enclosures to prevent tampering in any case.


    If a particular circuit is critical for safety services or business functions, surely socket-outlets would not be the preferred option, to prevent accidental "unplugging".


    In industrial applications, there are a number of other functional and safety considerations, and again connection via plug and socket-outlet is not necessary.
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  • 0
    Rack mounted computer equipment doesn't have to connect via a 'socket-outlet'; cable couplers and appliance outlets could be used instead, and in this case:

    (a) BS 7671 does NOT require RCD protection, as Regulation 411.3.3 only requires RCD protection for socket-outlets, NOT cable couplers and appliance connectors.

    (b) Additional protection should be in place by providing supplementary local equipotential bonding, which is required by BS EN 50310 (and this is referenced from BS 7671 for such installations in Section 444).

    (c) Such equipment is usually housed in locked enclosures to prevent tampering in any case.


    If a particular circuit is critical for safety services or business functions, surely socket-outlets would not be the preferred option, to prevent accidental "unplugging".


    In industrial applications, there are a number of other functional and safety considerations, and again connection via plug and socket-outlet is not necessary.
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