Main switch in consumer unit

[Lurch]

Isnt that something along the lines of what i was TRYING to get across? headbang

No.

You said an RCD cannot be used as a main switch. It can, but not in that scenario.

 

[niceguy]

You CANNOT have an RCD as a main switch or isolator in a domestic installation.

Like the first reply i posted on the subject?

 

[Lurch]

Like the first reply i posted on the subject?

No.

You can have an RCD as a main switch.

You're clearly just not reading any posts in this thread and writing with your eyes closed. This is a pointless one sided argument.

 

[spinlondon]

I think that Niceguy is refering to 314 division of installation.

Specifically 314.1 Every installation shall be divide into circuits, as necessary, to:

(i) avoid hazards and minimize inconvenience in the event of a fault,

(ii) facilitate safe inspection, testing and maintenance (see also Section 537),

(iv) reduce the possibility of unwanted tripping of RCDs due to excessive protective conductor currents produced by equipment in normal operation.

Thre installation of a single front end RCD would not comply with the above Regulations, as a fault on one circuit would affect all circuits 314.1(i), it would not help in determining which circuit had caused the fault 314.1(ii), and the cumulative effects of earth fault leakage across all the circuits could be high enough to trip a single RCD 314.1(iv).

Some would argue that by installing a time delayed 100mA front end RCD, and then installing 30mA RCBO for individual circuits as required, you would satisfy the requirements.

 

[niceguy]

Which means, there would be no point at all installing a 100mA RCD as a main switch and then 30Ma for the circuits.

 

[Lurch]

I think that Niceguy is refering to 314 division of installation.

Really? I don;t think he is aware of that.

Some would argue that by installing a time delayed 100mA front end RCD, and then installing 30mA RCBO for individual circuits as required, you would satisfy the requirements.

* You CAN have an RCD as a main switch.

So where would you be happy to install a 30mA RCD in a domestic installation as a main switch?

No-one has said that. What thread are you reading?

 

[ianmacd]

Which means, there would be no point at all installing a 100mA RCD as a main switch and then 30Ma for the circuits.

You never specified what RCD you blanket banned them and now you are backtracking. It would be better just to admit your initial statement was not completly accurate.

 

[niceguy]

*You CAN have an RCD as a main switch.

*

I merely pointed out SEVERAL times that you cannot have a 30mA RCD as a main switch!!!

 

[Lurch]

Which means, there would be no point at all installing a 100mA RCD as a main switch and then 30Ma for the circuits.

I see you've just edited that. You clearly don;t understand what this thread is about and are now just making things up.

Not understanding what is being said isn;t a problem, but you are arguing for something which you clearly don;t understand. The arguing is the problem here. If you don;t understand, just ask *

*I merely pointed out SEVERAL times that you cannot have a 30mA RCD as a main switch!!!

No you didn;t, you have never once said you can;t have a 30mA RCD as a main switch. You made a blanket statement, and repeated it several times, of 'you cannot have an RCD as a main switch', which is incorrect.

 

[niceguy]

You never specified what RCD you blanket banned them and now you are backtracking. It would be better just to admit your initial statement was not completly accurate.

Apologies, i will make sure i proof read ALL my posts in the future.

Sorry, i thought most people would understand that in a domestic situation.

I was clearly very wrong.

 

[Lurch]

Apologies, i will make sure i proof read ALL my posts in the future.Sorry, i thought most people would understand that in a domestic situation.

I was clearly very wrong.

Oh. Who was it who was comlaining about the flamings for assumption?

I don;t see how we could understand that you meant a 30mA RCD. What was there to suggest that? The fact it is a domestic situation has nothing to do with it.

I think you're in your head on this one, but if you could proof read you posts without the red mist it would be helpful in future.

 

[niceguy]

I see you've just edited that. No i havent, its still there.

No you didn;t, you have never once said you can;t have a 30mA RCD as a main switch. You made a blanket statement, and repeated it several times, of 'you cannot have an RCD as a main switch', which is incorrect.

See above

You win. :z

 

[niceguy]

Oh. Who was it who was comlaining about the flamings for assumption?Plenty of others do it, but i dont see them getting flamed.

I don;t see how we could understand that you meant a 30mA RCD. What was there to suggest that? The fact it is a domestic situation has nothing to do with it.

I fit consumer units in domestic properties and distribution boards in commercial or industrial properties.

I think you're in your head on this one, but if you could proof read you posts without the red mist it would be helpful in future.

Ill PM you my replies before i post them from now on. Its the mist see.

 

[ianmacd]

Hope this has run its course now. Not having a dig, niceguy, but the post Lurchie was refering to has changed from when I initally read it but thats all by the by and lets forget this for now.

 

[niceguy]

Hope this has run its course now. Not having a dig, niceguy, but the post Lurchie was refering to has changed from when I initally read it but thats all by the by and lets forget this for now.

Yes, you are quite correct as spin had replied and didnt make sense with mine underneath.

I therefore edited as appropriate.

 

[Dambo]

I don't want to try and inflame the situation any further but i've got another question Blushing

If (for arguments sake! ) there was a 100mA RCD being used as a main switch in the consumer unit (with a 30mA RCD being used to protect the circuits), if a fault exceeding 100mA occured, would both RCDs trip?

 

[Mr Smith]

mr smith

and other moderators

are having to constantly look at posts from certain members

due to their temper coming out in their posts.

i will not speak for other moderators

but mr smith does not have endless patience

there will be no further warnings

actions will suffice

mr smith

 

[ianmacd]

If it was not a time delayed one then most likely yes.

 

[Lurch]

If (for arguments sake! ) there was a 100mA RCD being used as a main switch in the consumer unit (with a 30mA RCD being used to protect the circuits), if a fault exceeding 100mA occured, would both RCDs trip?

If the 100mA RCD was not time delayed then it shouldn;t. If the 100mA RCD was not time delayed then most likely. In practice, as RCD's operate slightly differently due to manufacturing tolerances, it may or may not take both out. It would also depend on the extent of the fault, i.e. how far over 100mA the fault current was.

 

[spinlondon]

I don't want to try and inflame the situation any further but i've got another question BlushingIf (for arguments sake! ) there was a 100mA RCD being used as a main switch in the consumer unit (with a 30mA RCD being used to protect the circuits), if a fault exceeding 100mA occured, would both RCDs trip?

Both could trip, even if the fault was less than 100mA, if there was earth leakage on other circuits.

You could technically have the 100mA RCD trip whithout any 30mA RCDs tripping, if there were for instance 5 circuits and they all leaked 20mA. Hence 314.1(iv).