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RCD TESTING BS7671:2018+A2:2022

sparkiemike

Anybody notice the changes to 643.7.1 and 643.8 when it comes to RCD testing. In the note it says that "Regardless of the RCD type, effectiveness is deemed to have been verified where an RCD disconnects with in the time stated below with an alternating current test rated at residual operating current I△n"

So the minimum requirement is to set your instrument to RCD type AC and carry out the test even if you have a Type A or Type B RCD.

Parents

  • “Tests as required by 643.1 followed by the operation of the test button” is hidden away on page 99 of GN3 (blue band) and was enough for a standard 2391 question as to when the test button should be pressed. The only acceptable answer as far as the examiner was concerned, was after the tests. 

  • in reply to lyledunn
    lyledunn said:
    “Tests as required by 643.1 followed by the operation of the test button” is hidden away on page 99 of GN3 (blue band) and was enough for a standard 2391 question as to when the test button should be pressed. The only acceptable answer as far as the examiner was concerned, was after the tests. 

    The examiner didn't take into account BS 7671 in their logic, sadly ... the "Tests of 643.1" are "643.2 to 643.11" and therefore include the functional tests of 643.10.

    As discussed above there is no indication of the order of tests 643.7 to 643.11, so in fact all the examiner could conclude is that the test button should be pressed twice ... once during the tests of 643.1, and then again afterwards.

    To the best of my knowledge, there was never an indication of the order of pushing the test button vs testing the RCD in the 8th Edition.

  • in reply to gkenyon

    Since it would appear that there is a bone of contention over the test button and when to operate it given the 'risks', perhaps a simple solution might be to delete that part of the standard which actually requires an integrated test button to be included by the manufacturer in the 1st place?

    After all, if we are not concerned about diluting the requirements for testing with a test instrument, then why worry about the need to provide a test button which by and large, and in reality does not get used by the consumer?

    That would settle the argument once and for all.

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  • in reply to gkenyon

    Since it would appear that there is a bone of contention over the test button and when to operate it given the 'risks', perhaps a simple solution might be to delete that part of the standard which actually requires an integrated test button to be included by the manufacturer in the 1st place?

    After all, if we are not concerned about diluting the requirements for testing with a test instrument, then why worry about the need to provide a test button which by and large, and in reality does not get used by the consumer?

    That would settle the argument once and for all.

Children
  • in reply to whjohnson

    I have often wondered similar myself - what is the point of assuming someone will push a test button when we know they never do ... and to put a label on something hidden away in a cupboard won't help remind anyone to do it either.

  • in reply to gkenyon

    Well, which is the lesser of two evils: a label in a cupboard which will never be read, or a certificate in a drawer which will never be read?

    Or perhaps, which is more or less likely

  • in reply to Chris Pearson
    Chris Pearson said:

    Well, which is the lesser of two evils: a label in a cupboard which will never be read, or a certificate in a drawer which will never be read?

    Or perhaps, which is more or less likely

    I don't think there's an answer to this. There are lots of warnings dotted around appliance instruction manuals - but we never read those either. Often get thrown in the bin, which leads to the argument twice a year about how to set the clock on the cooker.

  • in reply to gkenyon

    Know exactly what you mean Graham. I could have cheerfully chucked the oven out the back door! Instructions? Well we have the ones for several dishwashers, fridge freezer and a ride on lawn mower but the instructions for the oven, well God only knows! So its an hour behind at the moment and I cant figure out how to alter that. Never mind...nine year old nephew is coming for Easter, I am sure he will sort it in a jiffy!

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