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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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    How about an RCD assembly incorporating a switchable parallel feed (by a special key?) which could be put in circuit whilst the RCD is tested?  Straight away I can see that for the duration of the test the circuit may not conform to regs, but maybe with a Risk Assessment and suitable control measures in place this could be overcome.    Just an idea.....



    I wonder if I can improve on that idea - two RCDs side by side and an all-poles make-before-break change-over switch between the RCDs and the load - you'd then be able to test one RCD at a time without disconnecting the load or losing protection. If one RCD failed you could leave the system switched to the other until a convenient time for replacement.


      - Andy.
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  • 0

    How about an RCD assembly incorporating a switchable parallel feed (by a special key?) which could be put in circuit whilst the RCD is tested?  Straight away I can see that for the duration of the test the circuit may not conform to regs, but maybe with a Risk Assessment and suitable control measures in place this could be overcome.    Just an idea.....



    I wonder if I can improve on that idea - two RCDs side by side and an all-poles make-before-break change-over switch between the RCDs and the load - you'd then be able to test one RCD at a time without disconnecting the load or losing protection. If one RCD failed you could leave the system switched to the other until a convenient time for replacement.


      - Andy.
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