Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 44 replies
  • Subscribers 32 subscribers
  • Views 6325 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Are RCD's Required?

Nano Brewery
Hi, looking to understand if an RCD would be a required regulation (and/or just highly recommended) in the following situation.  The additional cost of installing four or five 3-Phase RCDs is quite substantial and I would prefer to avoid it if still deemed as safe and not legally required.  Earthing system is TN-C-S.


For connecting up 4x Immersion Elements (9kW, 9kW, 6kW, 3kW) in Brewery Tanks I am looking at either:


A.  SWA Cable clipped direct to basket from the Control Panel to IP rated Plugs/Sockets mounted on the wall.  Then floating SY Cable (recommended by electrician) from the wall to the Tanks, which is about a 2m run.  Thinking Plugs/Sockets just to make life easy if I ever want to move things around and also for easier access for cleaning.


B.  Same as above but swapping the Plugs/Sockets for Isolators.


Look forward to your feedback and opinions.  Cheers.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Sounds outside the scope of BS7671 to me.
  • 0
    AJJewsbury:
    Wondering if a direct feed from a Distribution Board RCD to the Control Panel could be an option for universal protection at less cost? Is this possible and allowed? Alternatively, maybe Tails split via a Henley Box >>> RCD (stand alone) >>> Control Panel?

    Definitely not tails to RCD to control panel - you'd need some circuit overcurrent protection in there.




    Cheers Andy. 


    Even with the Control Panel having Cartridge Fuses installed on each circuit?  I thought these would be providing the Overcurrent Protection? 


    The main issue seems to be that the 4 Three-phase Immersion Elements (which will be switched via the Control Panel) will be pulling 33kW (48 Amps) when all 4 are switched on.  Too much for an RCBO feed direct from the Distribution Board.

    To update others - I'm just looking for the most cost effective solution for incorporating RCD protection for additional safety with there being lots of metal and liquids present.


  • 0
    Even with the Control Panel having Cartridge Fuses installed on each circuit? I thought these would be providing the Overcurrent Protection?

    They'll only provide overcurrent protection to the outgoing circuits - the incoming circuit needs overcurrent protection too (for short-circuit protection at the very least).


    If the exisiting DB has sufficient spare capacity then a 3 pole MCB (or fuses) in there, feeding a separate RCCB (RCD), thence to the control panel might be plausible.


       - Andy.
  • 0
    Nano Brewery:
    To update others - I'm just looking for the most cost effective solution for incorporating RCD protection for additional safety with there being lots of metal and liquids present.


    I fear that we are going round and round in circles, but the answer to the OP is "no" so what's the problem? ?


Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines