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Requirements for RCD protection on a 32a Socket supplying Mobile Equipment

Liam Puffitt

I have been presented an EICR with a code 2 referencing Regulation 411.3.3, no 30mA RCD protection for socket outlets under 32amp. The 32a socket has a 100mA Time Delay RCD fitted, as it's being used to supply a local DB within a cabin. My initial thoughts were this was satisfactory and shouldn't have been coded a C2 due to the requirement for discrimination between the RCD's to avoid nuisance tripping, now I am not so sure. 

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    There's no blanket demand for discrimination in BS 7671 - just means of achieving it when it is required. Lack of discrimination of itself won't cause nuisance tripping (although you might have both tripping when one would have been sufficient, but the same loads are disconnected either way, so little/nothing lost). There is a requirement for sockets ≤32A to have additional protection by 30mA RCD - likewise to mobile equipment rated  ≤32A outdoors whether through a socket not not (and if the DB is part of the mobile equipment, that would presumably include that DB, not just its outgoing circuits). Although it depends on quite what this "cabin" is - if the kind I have in mind it might be more transportable than mobile (BS 7671's definition of mobile equipment is more like the old portable/hand held definition in that it covers things that are moved while connected to the supply). In any event if the socket could be used for other purposes, especially hand-held stuff outdoors, 30mA RCD protection really isn't optional.

    It's quite normal to have 30mA RCDs in series - the regs have long demanded them both in caravans and pitch supplies.

       - Andy.

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    There's no blanket demand for discrimination in BS 7671 - just means of achieving it when it is required. Lack of discrimination of itself won't cause nuisance tripping (although you might have both tripping when one would have been sufficient, but the same loads are disconnected either way, so little/nothing lost). There is a requirement for sockets ≤32A to have additional protection by 30mA RCD - likewise to mobile equipment rated  ≤32A outdoors whether through a socket not not (and if the DB is part of the mobile equipment, that would presumably include that DB, not just its outgoing circuits). Although it depends on quite what this "cabin" is - if the kind I have in mind it might be more transportable than mobile (BS 7671's definition of mobile equipment is more like the old portable/hand held definition in that it covers things that are moved while connected to the supply). In any event if the socket could be used for other purposes, especially hand-held stuff outdoors, 30mA RCD protection really isn't optional.

    It's quite normal to have 30mA RCDs in series - the regs have long demanded them both in caravans and pitch supplies.

       - Andy.

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