We have been told not to do the five times tests on RCDs.

Have a look at the IET Guidance Note Three Table 2.17.

The test current for a Type A RCD has to be multiplied by the square root of two, which is 1.414 so the 1X test current is 42.42 mA pulsed D.C. and the 5x test current is 212.1 mA pulsed D.C. 

If you do a 5X test on a Hager 100 amp 30 mA Type A RCD and inject it with 212.1 mA of pulsed D.C. current using your tester it may not trip in 40 mS, complain to the manufacturer and you will be told you are not testing it correctly as the product standard allows a test current of up to 250 mA pulsed D.C. so you need reset your tester.

hager.com/.../updated-rccb-testing

It is even more of a problem if you tried testing the Type A RCD with a 5X Type AC test, because the test current would only be 150 mA AC current, not 250 mA pulsed D.C. so the RCD probably will fail to trip in 40 mS.

Again to fully test Type A RCDs you need a good understanding of the product standards, the manufacturers specifications and the individual testing requirements for each and every RCD you need to test.

Instead we “verify the effectiveness of the RCD” as noted on the bottom of the model EIC form in BS 7671 using a X1 AC test and haven proven it works with this test we then assume it’s within specification.

All the guidance on testing in the IET Guidance Notes and Codes Of Practice has been carefully considered and there are extremely good reasons why we are be told to change our working practices and stop doing things we have done ever since we trained and started working as electricians.

Also, as noted in the IET GN3 on page 97 RCDs are only rated for a finite number of operations, excessive testing isn’t good for them and may result in them actually failing when they are supposed to operate in a few weeks time, as Andy J said above testing today doesn’t mean they will actually work when needed to in a few weeks time.

Now I’m off to mow the lawn!

We have been told not to do the five times tests on RCDs.

Have a look at the IET Guidance Note Three Table 2.17.

The test current for a Type A RCD has to be multiplied by the square root of two, which is 1.414 so the 1X test current is 42.42 mA pulsed D.C. and the 5x test current is 212.1 mA pulsed D.C. 

If you do a 5X test on a Hager 100 amp 30 mA Type A RCD and inject it with 212.1 mA of pulsed D.C. current using your tester it may not trip in 40 mS, complain to the manufacturer and you will be told you are not testing it correctly as the product standard allows a test current of up to 250 mA pulsed D.C. so you need reset your tester.

hager.com/.../updated-rccb-testing

It is even more of a problem if you tried testing the Type A RCD with a 5X Type AC test, because the test current would only be 150 mA AC current, not 250 mA pulsed D.C. so the RCD probably will fail to trip in 40 mS.

Again to fully test Type A RCDs you need a good understanding of the product standards, the manufacturers specifications and the individual testing requirements for each and every RCD you need to test.

Instead we “verify the effectiveness of the RCD” as noted on the bottom of the model EIC form in BS 7671 using a X1 AC test and haven proven it works with this test we then assume it’s within specification.

All the guidance on testing in the IET Guidance Notes and Codes Of Practice has been carefully considered and there are extremely good reasons why we are be told to change our working practices and stop doing things we have done ever since we trained and started working as electricians.

Also, as noted in the IET GN3 on page 97 RCDs are only rated for a finite number of operations, excessive testing isn’t good for them and may result in them actually failing when they are supposed to operate in a few weeks time, as Andy J said above testing today doesn’t mean they will actually work when needed to in a few weeks time.

Now I’m off to mow the lawn!

Again I don’t doubt your knowlede  other than It changed to recording X1 AMD 2 of BS7671 which has a fail after 300ms. Page ten for quick reference