The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

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 14 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 2435 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

Plug in RCD 230V or 110V transformer

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
I'm curious to see what peoples opinions are on the two different options available for safer power tool use either using 110V tools with a site transformer alone or 230V tools however using these with the plug in RCD. 


I'm aware of the center tapped site transformer splitting the voltage into 55V so there is the arguement that it's only 55V pushing through your body, vs the RCD option, you're exposed to the potentially full 230V but the RCD cuts the supply almost instantly. However this is based on the RCD actually working and detecting a fault and even if it does perhaps even that brief exposure to 230V may be enough for some people to be fatal. Then again 55V maybe enough for some people too to be fatal. 


Thought?


Parents
  • 0
    To the best of my knowledge there has never been a fatal electric shock with the 55-0-55 RLV system.


    The RLV system achieves what RCDs achieve by disconnection time - but without a "failure mechanism" in the case that an RCD does not trip.


    RLV every time for me - or better still, battery tools.


    Another cautionary note is that BS 7288 is the PRCD standard ... and the current version of this standard assumes additional protection and fault protection is already provided upstream in the electrical installation.
Reply
  • 0
    To the best of my knowledge there has never been a fatal electric shock with the 55-0-55 RLV system.


    The RLV system achieves what RCDs achieve by disconnection time - but without a "failure mechanism" in the case that an RCD does not trip.


    RLV every time for me - or better still, battery tools.


    Another cautionary note is that BS 7288 is the PRCD standard ... and the current version of this standard assumes additional protection and fault protection is already provided upstream in the electrical installation.
Children
No Data

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