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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 

  • 0 in reply to wallywombat

    We wouldn't be adding any cabling or any sockets would simply be changing the MCB's to one of a suitable design for the circuit, making the circuit safer and comply with the appropriate disconnection times. I can add a statement into the comments section stating they are not RCD protected as per and ref the EICR number, stating that this remedial work was only to rectify potentially dangerous issues and not to bring the circuits inline with current standards. I can also advise the customer that he should risk assess the use of the sockets. 

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