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30mA RCDs for sockets - AMD2

As you many (or may not) have noticed, AMD2 deletes the option to omit 30mA RCD protection for socket outlets (by documented risk assessment). So then ALL sockets rated ≤32A will need to be on a 30mA RCD.


This strikes me as unhelpful for some situations - e.g. feeds to server racks in data centres where the cumulative protective conductor currents will likely nuisance trip a 30mA device and hard-wiring instead using plugs & sockets is undesirable as non-skilled persons (electrically) are likely to need to be able to disconnect/reconnect the supplies to racks (sometimes under 'duress' conditions).


There are probably other situations too - I've seen 16A sockets used to feed lights high up in major railway station canopies (presumably so the fittings can be readily disconnected and brought to ground level for maintenance) - where I guess the risk of loss of lighting far outweighs the risk from shock.


OK we possibly get around the letter of the regs by hard-wiring to a short length of flex and having a connector (trailing socket) on the end of that (thus side-stepping the definition of a socket outlet which has to be connected to fixed wiring) - but that hardly seems to be in the spirit of the regs, nor necessarily a good technical solution where a fixed socket would have been the better solution.


Further thoughts?


  - Andy.
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    AJJewsbury:

    Further thoughts?


    I think the trajectory has been heading along these lines and Amd 2 finally implements the blanket requirement, Andy - regardless of circumstances.


    Like you, I'll be busy dreaming up the work arounds for those situations where RCD's are not appropriate, nor offer any real safety benefits


    That might include 63A socket outlets, where 32A would have sufficed (and the MCB may well still be 32A) and the interposition of all manner of gizmo's to ensure those socket outlets are not connected to fixed wiring - plus the increasing use of "non socket" socket outlets - ie use an alternative means of cable coupler device


    I think we lost the plot when we disregarded the "skilled and instructed" in favour of "carelessness of users"


    Regards


    OMS


Reply
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    AJJewsbury:

    Further thoughts?


    I think the trajectory has been heading along these lines and Amd 2 finally implements the blanket requirement, Andy - regardless of circumstances.


    Like you, I'll be busy dreaming up the work arounds for those situations where RCD's are not appropriate, nor offer any real safety benefits


    That might include 63A socket outlets, where 32A would have sufficed (and the MCB may well still be 32A) and the interposition of all manner of gizmo's to ensure those socket outlets are not connected to fixed wiring - plus the increasing use of "non socket" socket outlets - ie use an alternative means of cable coupler device


    I think we lost the plot when we disregarded the "skilled and instructed" in favour of "carelessness of users"


    Regards


    OMS


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