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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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    Foffer:




    AJJewsbury:





    two RCDs with a make before break switching arrangement wont work and you would drop your load. parallel paths would imbalance the currents through the rcds which would operate and drop your load.



     



    Ah yes, good point. Same problem with a single RCD and a by-pass switch then too. Back to the drawing board....


       - Andy.


     




    How about a purpose made assembly using two RCD's with tripping mechanisms that are disabled during switching, an interlock to make sure that both were not left on together and a system for provision of testing the one out of circuit.  It's getting a bit complicated now!


     




    Or back to the switching between twin RCDs idea, but with the switching done by electronics at the zero-crossing point? So the load side of the RCDs aren't connected together and the load never notices the switching.

      - Andy.

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  • 0

    Foffer:




    AJJewsbury:





    two RCDs with a make before break switching arrangement wont work and you would drop your load. parallel paths would imbalance the currents through the rcds which would operate and drop your load.



     



    Ah yes, good point. Same problem with a single RCD and a by-pass switch then too. Back to the drawing board....


       - Andy.


     




    How about a purpose made assembly using two RCD's with tripping mechanisms that are disabled during switching, an interlock to make sure that both were not left on together and a system for provision of testing the one out of circuit.  It's getting a bit complicated now!


     




    Or back to the switching between twin RCDs idea, but with the switching done by electronics at the zero-crossing point? So the load side of the RCDs aren't connected together and the load never notices the switching.

      - Andy.

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