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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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    Ruggedscot:

    again zero point only valid for resistive loads, but with modern switchmode and inductive  capacitative loadings that zero point would be hard and the switching timeframe tiny. sometimes we chase a solution and become blinded by the desire to identify that solution, when the reality is that it could be done simpler and easier through planning the work and having buy in from others. there is no process that can not be interrupted for a short time if all the required planning and adjustments are in place.




    I must admit I hadn't thought enough about different load characteristics and how this will alter switching loads and timings.   Maybe that's why I was a maintenance electrician and not a designer!  I also understand what you say about planning although as someone who worked in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, installing anything which needs to be turned off would be avoided if possible.  There will be planned maintenance downtime when the shut will be as short as possible and there is never enough time to do what you want normally without adding new jobs (RCD testing).  New satelite equipment would normally be hard wired from a control panel without RCD protection.  I realise that BS7671 would not apply in such a situation but think that RCD protection would be considered more often if testing did not involve switching the load off.  


     

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  • 0

    Ruggedscot:

    again zero point only valid for resistive loads, but with modern switchmode and inductive  capacitative loadings that zero point would be hard and the switching timeframe tiny. sometimes we chase a solution and become blinded by the desire to identify that solution, when the reality is that it could be done simpler and easier through planning the work and having buy in from others. there is no process that can not be interrupted for a short time if all the required planning and adjustments are in place.




    I must admit I hadn't thought enough about different load characteristics and how this will alter switching loads and timings.   Maybe that's why I was a maintenance electrician and not a designer!  I also understand what you say about planning although as someone who worked in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, installing anything which needs to be turned off would be avoided if possible.  There will be planned maintenance downtime when the shut will be as short as possible and there is never enough time to do what you want normally without adding new jobs (RCD testing).  New satelite equipment would normally be hard wired from a control panel without RCD protection.  I realise that BS7671 would not apply in such a situation but think that RCD protection would be considered more often if testing did not involve switching the load off.  


     

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