Office sockets & RCBO's

[norv]

Been helping a builder out knocking a few walls & ceilings down in a small office building for a bit of a re-design. I've been making the sockets & lighting safe as we destroy the place but none of the sockets are on an RCD. Its a 3 phase installation. Because its unlikely that equipment will be used outside, i.e mainly used for pc's & phone chargers, would you change the sockets CB's to RCBO's ?

 

[Barx]

And have the computers tripping them all the time. You WILL be popular. lol.

 

[norv]

Thought not

 

[kme]

However, you WILL, if following BS7671:2008, have to provide one of the alternate means of protection for the "hidden" cables.

IMHO

 

[steptoe]

However, you WILL, if following BS7671:2008, have to provide one of the alternate means of protection for the "hidden" cables.IMHO

yessir eeee

and put about 2 doubles on each RCBO,

TBH this is how Ive been doing it for ages anyhow, simply to stop the whole system going down if there is a fault somewhere,

assuming its not the server of course!!! :|

 

[kme]

yessir eeeeand put about 2 doubles on each RCBO,

TBH this is how Ive been doing it for ages anyhow, simply to stop the whole system going down if there is a fault somewhere,

assuming its not the server of course!!! :|

So do I take it that you WOULD RCBo the sockets m8, rather than using one of the alternatives??? ?:|

 

[Mr Sworld]

Personally, I'm reading that bit of the reg's as only really applying to domestic housing.

Office's don't get the DIY'er putting holes in the wall randomly. As long as any work done is carried out by a 'skilled or instructed person' (ie a sparks [skilled] or good tradesman [instructed]) then you don't need the extra protection.

Hi all, how you doing? Been off to London to see 'Spamalot'

It's very funny! :^O

 

[steptoe]

So do I take it that you WOULD RCBo the sockets m8, rather than using one of the alternatives??? ?:|

might use something else now weve been given a choice,

but for past number of years been always wiring computer sockets etc on radials with RCBO protection.

tho Mr S is right IMHO

as an office usually being maintained by a 'trained' person.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Personally, I'm reading that bit of the reg's as only really applying to domestic housing.Office's don't get the DIY'er putting holes in the wall randomly. As long as any work done is carried out by a 'skilled or instructed person' (ie a sparks [skilled] or good tradesman [instructed]) then you don't need the extra protection.

This is my understanding as well.

The rcd / 50mm depth etc protection bit is to prevent DIY bob from injuring himself when drilling through hidden cables..

within comercial locations, office / shop / factory etc..

work would genrally be carried out by a skilled professional or supervised tradesperson..

possibly under the jurisdiction or guidance of a site, office or facilities manager of some sort.

Also H&S@work would probably not allow unskilled or unsupervised persons to undertake work that could put others at risk?? ?:|

 

[kme]

Fair point gentlemen. If I had a smilie tipping his hat, you`d get one.

 

[Mr Sworld]

Don't do office sockets on any earth leakage protection, computers chuck way to much ampage down the earth.

I do use the MK sockets with double earth's mind you and always go for dado trunking and running the live, neutral and two earth's in singles. And as a ring (a couple of times in 4mm!)

It's the way to go, so easy to upgrade or move sockets when the office layout changes! And you can run the phone, LAN network etc as well!

 

[steptoe]

wonder how far you could bend this rule for a tenanted council property?

its surely against the terms of their tenancy to alter anything in the property,

wouldnt this include drilling walls etc?

; \ ; \ ; \

 

[steptoe]

Don't do office sockets on any earth leakage protection, computers chuck way to much ampage down the earth.I do use the MK sockets with double earth's mind you and always go for dado trunking and running the live, neutral and two earth's in singles. And as a ring (a couple of times in 4mm!)

It's the way to go, so easy to upgrade or move sockets when the office layout changes! And you can run the phone, LAN network etc as well!

can some1 properly explain to me the benefits of this earthing system?

last big job i done was a pretty major telephone exchange and they insisted on everything being earth bonded together!!!

ie, NO clean earth anywhere!

I still dont understand the pros and cons of it all....

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

wonder how far you could bend this rule for a tenanted council property?its surely against the terms of their tenancy to alter anything in the property,

wouldnt this include drilling walls etc?

; \ ; \ ; \

Well my misses won't let me drill the walls without checking with her first..

"no dont put that shelf there!!"

"move that picture left a bit!!"

so I guess thats supervised...???

 

[steptoe]

Well my misses won't let me drill the walls without checking with her first.."no dont put that shelf there!!"

"move that picture left a bit!!"

so I guess thats supervised...???

yep,

your only a tenant, like most of us blokes....

I even got told off yesterday for daring to move something in the shed!!!

wouldnt that have been better over on that side,,,

FFS woman,,,,

its MY shed.... :_| :_| :_|