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Caravan RCD trip power connections

Paul R
Dear all , a holiday question


I have an acquaintance who asks why his IET 18th Edition RCD tester when plugs it in to the Local RCD (<30mA/300mS) , the primary supply RCD trips (that is further up the AC supply line) , rather than the caravan’s, so in effect nullifying the test.

Is this because the Primary Supply RCD  is monitoring a small standing current from other connections and the Local RCD needs to be tested by using the Local Earth at the unit ? ( which is not so easily accessible). 


Are there any other thoughts please ? 


Paul , Swindon LN IET. 



Parents
  • 0
    The danger is that you are carrying out a test to live terminals, albeit IP2x / IPxxD, which in reality should not be a "danger" to those with suitable training / experience, but not something you'd want to expose ordinary persons to.


    In many CUs, the job can be made safer by using GS38  croc-clips to connect to a neutral bar (or perhaps 2 if you're doing a 3-wire test), so you're only holding one GS38 probe in a terminal.


    I'm aware that space is limited in some modern caravans - of course you're there doing the risk assessment and of course it's up to you on the day.


    I do, however, object to the "up/down" method being called an "N trick" - it's a procedure that's recommended in a British Standard Published Document, and in this particular case may well be safer than disabling an upstream RCD
Reply
  • 0
    The danger is that you are carrying out a test to live terminals, albeit IP2x / IPxxD, which in reality should not be a "danger" to those with suitable training / experience, but not something you'd want to expose ordinary persons to.


    In many CUs, the job can be made safer by using GS38  croc-clips to connect to a neutral bar (or perhaps 2 if you're doing a 3-wire test), so you're only holding one GS38 probe in a terminal.


    I'm aware that space is limited in some modern caravans - of course you're there doing the risk assessment and of course it's up to you on the day.


    I do, however, object to the "up/down" method being called an "N trick" - it's a procedure that's recommended in a British Standard Published Document, and in this particular case may well be safer than disabling an upstream RCD
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