Changing protective device for the same protective device tests

[sparkattack]

Hi, i just need clarification on a job ive got coming up. Ive got to remove a large RCD unit which is very old so i will just use henley block for for reconnection the line and neutral. I am then going to move the RCD in the consumer unit over to protect all the circuits. There is another consumer unit for other circuits so i am not worried about the segregation of circuits with RCD but i am curious on what extent i have to test and what certificate if any i have to fill in because i am changing the protective device for the same?! Obviously i would do a RCD test

Any help greatly recieved, thanks

 

[spinlondon]

It's your choice.

Some would do a full battery of tests, others only the important ones such as global IR, Zs at the end of each circuit and perhaps polarity. Others still would do none.

 

[Evans Electric]

What have you priced to do ? I presume its a faulty RCD you are changing , so you have to test the new one , never believe because its new its OK.

Have you priced to test and certify the whole building ? Sometimes I think we could be shooting ourselves in the foot , such as going to change a light fitting and investigating and checking the rest of the house , I don't think that is in our remit.

We listen too much to the brigade of paper pushing ,assessor type people these days ,methinks.

 

[sparkattack]

he wants the very large old seperare RCD removed so he can box all the meter and cu's in and so the circuits are still protected i am going to move the RCD over which is currently only protecting half the circuits (16th edition) to cover all the circuits

 

[spinlondon]

Unfortunately, doing such would not comply with Section 314, and could even be argued to be not complying with Regulation 610.4.

 

[Zeespark]

RCBO the lot of them, zero issues then.

Andy

 

[spinlondon]

Or at least the ones that were protected by the RCD.

 

[sparkattack]

they will all be protected by RCD the original way i said, and about the segregation of circuits they will be because there is another RCD protected consumer unit with its own RCD .

 

[spinlondon]

That's not quite what this post says:

he wants the very large old seperare RCD removed so he can box all the meter and cu's in and so the circuits are still protected i am going to move the RCD over which is currently only protecting half the circuits (16th edition) to cover all the circuits

Seems to me that you are saying here that the RCD was protecting half the circuits, and will now be protecting all the circuits.

 

[sparkattack]

sorry my mistake. i meant in that consumer unit. There is another consumer unit which contains another 6 circuits and has its own RCD.

 

[spinlondon]

If you're happy that this will minimise inconvenience in the event of a fault, have taken account of any danger that might occur in the event of the failure of a single circuit and that the combined earth leakage from equipment in normal use wont cause the RCD to trip, then there shouldn't be a problem.

As for your original question, just test or not what you are happy with. There's no definitive requirement in the Regulations, just a number of opinions on what should or shouldn't be tested.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

My look on this would be you are not altering the characteristics of the final circuits so a minor works cert with Rcd tests, Ze and Pfc all tested at the board. I would take a few readings from an easy few circuits both before and after the works but just for my own reference