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MCB Change on Socket Circuit - No RCD

Bees2699

Hello All,

I have a question which I'm sure will have lots of opinions, so look forward to hearing them. 

After having carried out an EICR some welding sockets have failed, some due to the size of the MCB in relation to the cables current carrying capacity and some due to Zs. The loading is not an issue so we are looking to downgrade the size of the breakers which will sort out both issues. However as these are feeding sockets if we change the MCB will these have to become RCD protected. Although they have a specific intended use I cannot guarantee they wouldn't be used for anything else. However due to cost implications the customer is not willing to pay for either 3 phase RCBO's or individual RCD's mounted by the board or for replacing the sockets to include RCD's. By the changing the MCB we would only be making the circuit safer and up to the standard when it was installed, however I would usually try and bring any circuit I work on up to current standards. But as there are about 8 three phase circuits affected its not a simple or cheap option to replace them all. 

Look forward to any opinions or articles relating to this matter.

Thank you 

Bees 

Parents
  • 0

    I am not surprised that the customer does not want to pay for RCDs - 3-phase ones cost a lot more than 3 single-phase ones.

    411.3.3 requires RCD protection for socket-outlets not exceeding 32 A. However, other than in a dwelling, they may be omitted where, "a documented risk assessment determines that RCD protection is not necessary."

    So if the customer does not want to pay, get him to get his pen out pretty pronto.

    In a sense, that shifts liability from you to the customer. The Regs say nothing about the quality of the documented risk assessment.

Reply
  • 0

    I am not surprised that the customer does not want to pay for RCDs - 3-phase ones cost a lot more than 3 single-phase ones.

    411.3.3 requires RCD protection for socket-outlets not exceeding 32 A. However, other than in a dwelling, they may be omitted where, "a documented risk assessment determines that RCD protection is not necessary."

    So if the customer does not want to pay, get him to get his pen out pretty pronto.

    In a sense, that shifts liability from you to the customer. The Regs say nothing about the quality of the documented risk assessment.

Children
  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    Yes that was my thinking as well, might be a suggestion to him. I just wanted to check on the requirements to install if only making a small alteration due to a potentially dangerous situation. 

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