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RCD protection in an IT run office

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Jolly good morning all,


I am currently carrying out an EICR for an IT based company in their head offices.

Looking at the 12way  3-phase distribution board, I can see there are multiple ‘Office Sockets’ circuits labelled up on 32amp MCB’s and not a single RCD in sight. 

To my knowledge, the use of RCD’s is perhaps not required in this type of environment, but just wanted to check your opinions.


Many thanks you’s and I hope everyone is having a splendid dayV?
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    John Peckham -


    I am fully aware of the use of RCD’s and the regs surrounding, hence why I asked the question and to get peoples thoughts about their use!

    Not a very helpful comment if I’m honest chap!


    My guess is that at the time of this particular installation, the installers may have perhaps thought that the IT equipment on said circuits, may be at risk of nuisance tripping if RCD’s were fitted, and may have risk assessed this at the time. 

    “61008-1, Supplement 1 reiterates this by stating that an IT system is implemented because it has the advantage that when the first fault occurs, there is no interruption of the power supply to any of the connected electrical loads. However, this "first fault" should be eliminated as quickly as possible.



    The proper use of RCDs in IT systems only makes sense if their function can be proven by measurement or calculation. However, because of the complexity and the difficulty in assessing the structure and expansion of an IT system, it cannot be guaranteed that RCDs will function as intended and therefore their use should remain the exception.”




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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    John Peckham -


    I am fully aware of the use of RCD’s and the regs surrounding, hence why I asked the question and to get peoples thoughts about their use!

    Not a very helpful comment if I’m honest chap!


    My guess is that at the time of this particular installation, the installers may have perhaps thought that the IT equipment on said circuits, may be at risk of nuisance tripping if RCD’s were fitted, and may have risk assessed this at the time. 

    “61008-1, Supplement 1 reiterates this by stating that an IT system is implemented because it has the advantage that when the first fault occurs, there is no interruption of the power supply to any of the connected electrical loads. However, this "first fault" should be eliminated as quickly as possible.



    The proper use of RCDs in IT systems only makes sense if their function can be proven by measurement or calculation. However, because of the complexity and the difficulty in assessing the structure and expansion of an IT system, it cannot be guaranteed that RCDs will function as intended and therefore their use should remain the exception.”




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