Exposed: Cash for logos and drive by inspections

whjohnson said:

1) Should rented accommodation have RCD protection because the property is being let as a profit-making business?

No, but it should have RCD protection because:

(a) The landlord has a duty of care

(b) The tenant has no realistic choice to do that themselves

(c) original bathroom installation may be affected by plastic pipe extensions/repairs

(d) There may be children or vulnerable people.

(e) it's the right thing to do.

whjohnson said:

2) Do RCDs enhance safety for the end user even though an installation not equipped with one or more RCDs, still meets the disconnection times for the existing OPDs employed?

Yes:

(a) additional protection the often-used example of a damaged flex on a lawnmower or vacuum cleaner (Class II) that leaves exposed line conductor - that wouldn't operate an OCPD - but damaged plastic case of equipment, and a raft of other faults, are also covered by additional protection.

(b) fault protection in cases where the model of "fault to earth of negligible impedance" doesn't work, for example certain broken heating element faults, some faults in AC power electronic devices etc.

Overall, though, I'm appalled by fact this thread has be hijacked mainly by a debate on whether it's right to "code" RCD's or not. There are other things to go at in the article, and there is sufficient industry guidance out there on what code to give "no RCD for xxx".

whjohnson said:

1) Should rented accommodation have RCD protection because the property is being let as a profit-making business?

No, but it should have RCD protection because:

(a) The landlord has a duty of care

(b) The tenant has no realistic choice to do that themselves

(c) original bathroom installation may be affected by plastic pipe extensions/repairs

(d) There may be children or vulnerable people.

(e) it's the right thing to do.

whjohnson said:

2) Do RCDs enhance safety for the end user even though an installation not equipped with one or more RCDs, still meets the disconnection times for the existing OPDs employed?

Yes:

(a) additional protection the often-used example of a damaged flex on a lawnmower or vacuum cleaner (Class II) that leaves exposed line conductor - that wouldn't operate an OCPD - but damaged plastic case of equipment, and a raft of other faults, are also covered by additional protection.

(b) fault protection in cases where the model of "fault to earth of negligible impedance" doesn't work, for example certain broken heating element faults, some faults in AC power electronic devices etc.

Overall, though, I'm appalled by fact this thread has be hijacked mainly by a debate on whether it's right to "code" RCD's or not. There are other things to go at in the article, and there is sufficient industry guidance out there on what code to give "no RCD for xxx".