RCD for lights run in conduit??

[Lillpete]

I am quoting for installing floodlights at a tennis club (for security not the courts )

the wiring will be in plastic conduit so other than drilling straight through the walls no cables will be buried.

I have found that the old 3 phase Merlin board here is very expensive for RCBO's so provided the loops are low enough am I right in thinking that it's fine to have no RCD protection?? I'm sure it is but everybody's always banging on about RCD protection these days so I just want to make sure

 

[danny7299]

no need for RCD as its surface and machanically protected , disconnection time 5 seconds...

hope i am right , if not some one will correct me

 

[Andy™]

doesnt sound like an RCD will be required. although if it did need one, you could always have a MCB in the board feeding an RCD external to the board and then onto final circuit

 

[benji]

what about being outside the equipotential zone ?

yours benji

 

[danny7299]

go on.....

 

[boltonsparky]

5 seconds?? Aren't all final circuits 0.4second disconnection now on 17th edition, correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[danny7299]

just found this...

this

 

[danny7299]

so then... the last year or so, whilst working for me old boss, we put in some Lamp posts. Should this have Been 0.4sec Disconnection?

And if that wasn't able to be acchived via a good CPC , RCD protection added ?

little confussed now?

 

[Lillpete]

That's 16th I would think based on the eebads and the date of the reply

Not a bad idea about the separate RCD unit Applaud Smiley

 

[danny7299]

so can some one give a difinitive answer...

If you install somthing like a Lamp post , out side the equipotential zone , does it need to be RCD protected or just meet 0.4 disconecction time?

 

[M107]

All circuits on a TN system are required to disconnect at .4secs, unless they exceed 32amp or are a distribution circuit.

As for the rcd ... not required for surface mounted circuits on TN system.

But you could always install a stand alone rcd next to the cu for the ligting circuit.

 

[M107]

so can some one give a difinitive answer...If you install somthing like a Lamp post , out side the equipotential zone , does it need to be RCD protected or just meet 0.4 disconecction time?

RCD as per recomendation in 559.10.3.2 if you class a lamppost as street furniture.

 

[danny7299]

so when my old boss didn;t put the lamp posts on a RCD , he wasn;t really following the Regs?

mind you lamp post on private property, woulld that still be classed as street furniture.

 

[boltonsparky]

wouldn't be a bad idea to install an rcd... belt and braces! Don't think it's needed though and with the floodlights being for security purposes it may be better not to fit one to avoid nuicence tripping (depending on the floodlights being used). There you go... clear as mud!!!

Hope all the replies have helped you out and not made things more confusing.

 

[M107]

Depends on individuals interpretation of the regs.

 

[Lillpete]

Applaud Smiley

Thanks for the input I have sent out the quote saying that may or maynot need RCD dependent on further investigation of there existing supply, with costs for each situation and an offer to either test when I start the job or pop in to confirm if rcd required prior to acceptance of the quote.

The lights are going to be installed high up out of reach (approx 18') so I'm not worried about them getting bashed about.

So I guess I'd best go and do some 2391 revision for my exam on Thursday :z

Guiness Drink

 

[Evans Electric]

My interpretation of the Regs. is ...Commercial Premises , maintenance under the control of competent persons ... also surface conduit.. RCD not required.

 

[Lillpete]

My interpretation of the Regs. is ...Commercial Premises , maintenance under the control of competent persons ... also surface conduit.. RCD not required.

Having met the guy in charge of maintenance I'd question that ROTFWL

 

[Evans Electric]

I take your point but still does not require an RCD, IMHO .

 

[batty]

RCD as per recomendation in 559.10.3.2 if you class a lamppost as street furniture.

I would not thiink many lamp posts in street are Rcd protected even under 17th.

Batty