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RCD testing question

Marc Lambert

Hi

Just reading GN 3 page 95, operation of RCDs.

I've always thought, (and taught) that you press the test button at the end of the sequence of RCD tests simply because if you you use the test button first you can "unstick" a potentially faulty device and allow it to pass the tests when it might not have?

At a recent CEF / NICEIC Techtalk event they said exactly the same thing, "Join CEF's (or NICEIC) Head of Technical Solutions Darren Staniforth and electrical legend Dave Austin for a TechTalk near you."

Any thoughts on what page 95 GN3 says now? That you press the test button before using the tester?

Kind regards

Marc

Parents
  • 0

    I accept that the right thing is that the test button should be pressed, every 3 months, 6 months whatever.  But how practical is it to expect the householder to do it?

    1. How many householders know that they are expected to test RCD’s regularly, and how often? On a mixed board would they know which needed to be tested?
    2. It is unrealistic to expect householders to engage an electrician to push the button for them unless they are there anyway.
    3. Many householders are uncomfortable “going into” the CU and push a button that  will turn the house power off with a thud. Bad enough resetting an RCD or MCB after a trip, even if they recognise which breaker has tripped.
    4. Having tested the RCD, several appliances will need to have their clock resetting. In my house I have to reset the oven, microwave, washing machine and bedside clock/alarm.  Probably others that I will discover when I notice the time display is wrong.

    David

Reply
  • 0

    I accept that the right thing is that the test button should be pressed, every 3 months, 6 months whatever.  But how practical is it to expect the householder to do it?

    1. How many householders know that they are expected to test RCD’s regularly, and how often? On a mixed board would they know which needed to be tested?
    2. It is unrealistic to expect householders to engage an electrician to push the button for them unless they are there anyway.
    3. Many householders are uncomfortable “going into” the CU and push a button that  will turn the house power off with a thud. Bad enough resetting an RCD or MCB after a trip, even if they recognise which breaker has tripped.
    4. Having tested the RCD, several appliances will need to have their clock resetting. In my house I have to reset the oven, microwave, washing machine and bedside clock/alarm.  Probably others that I will discover when I notice the time display is wrong.

    David

Children
  • 0 in reply to davidwalker2

      What would you recommend? Take a resident-owned property and electrical installation.

    This may not be inspected and tested for many years? What ought BS 7671 to say?

    I understand it's not an easy question ... and equally there are examples in commercial/industrial installations (regardless of the recommended periodic verification intervals) where pushing the test button regularly is not always considered feasible.

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