The Value of R.C.D.s

davezawadi (David Stone): 
 

More what Z? Do you mean more doubt and uncertainty? In my experience, the only reason for any uncertainty is poor EICRs. I have seen many where the “Inspector” says that an RCD needs to be fitted without any specific information on the non-compliance, usually with a high quote for the work. There is zero data on how many people are “saved” by RCDs and going by the accident statistics there cannot be very many.

If an installation needs an RCD because of specific non-compliance then it seems that everyone wants to “Upgrade” the CU. This is not necessary or in many cases desirable. Why not just fit an RCD in the tails, job done in an hour and for £40 maximum for materials? 

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Z's Reply. Not a good idea as if the R.C.D. trips off everything is lost and that may introduce an additional risk. 132.1 (ii). and 361.1.

Z.

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But no that is apparently not good enough, and there is much hand waving. Almost immediately a new board full of RCBOs is “necessary”, for a cost of £600-£1000 at least, in Bristol anyway. Does this make the installation one tiny bit safer than a single RCD? It does not, so why is it apparently necessary? Then when you see the mess that is made trying to extend all the old wiring and trying to fit a new bigger board in a small space and even bonding all the pipework when this is not necessary, has anything improved at all?

Here is a good one too. An advert in a local ad magazine:

*** Electrical, NICEIC approved contractor and Domestic Installer. 

(I'm still not sure why you would be both, they are different in requirements)

Call in the Professionals

-Electrical Inspection Condition Reports (EICR)

Keep people safe with an inspection every 5 years

 

Would you trust that level of competence? They haven't even got the name right! The content will probably be equally imaginary.

davezawadi (David Stone): 
 

More what Z? Do you mean more doubt and uncertainty? In my experience, the only reason for any uncertainty is poor EICRs. I have seen many where the “Inspector” says that an RCD needs to be fitted without any specific information on the non-compliance, usually with a high quote for the work. There is zero data on how many people are “saved” by RCDs and going by the accident statistics there cannot be very many.

If an installation needs an RCD because of specific non-compliance then it seems that everyone wants to “Upgrade” the CU. This is not necessary or in many cases desirable. Why not just fit an RCD in the tails, job done in an hour and for £40 maximum for materials? 

**********************************************

Z's Reply. Not a good idea as if the R.C.D. trips off everything is lost and that may introduce an additional risk. 132.1 (ii). and 361.1.

Z.

*************************************************

But no that is apparently not good enough, and there is much hand waving. Almost immediately a new board full of RCBOs is “necessary”, for a cost of £600-£1000 at least, in Bristol anyway. Does this make the installation one tiny bit safer than a single RCD? It does not, so why is it apparently necessary? Then when you see the mess that is made trying to extend all the old wiring and trying to fit a new bigger board in a small space and even bonding all the pipework when this is not necessary, has anything improved at all?

Here is a good one too. An advert in a local ad magazine:

*** Electrical, NICEIC approved contractor and Domestic Installer. 

(I'm still not sure why you would be both, they are different in requirements)

Call in the Professionals

-Electrical Inspection Condition Reports (EICR)

Keep people safe with an inspection every 5 years

 

Would you trust that level of competence? They haven't even got the name right! The content will probably be equally imaginary.