replacement RCD tests??

Talk Electrician Forum

Help Support Talk Electrician Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

0151

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2009
Messages
116
Reaction score
0
guys just been on a callout were after a bit of diagnostics the rcd on a split board is faulty.

the wholesalers was shut so ive left the lady with a rcd extension lead in a 16 amp breaker for tonight.

anyway my Q is if i replace the rcd like for like do I have to test & certify all the outgoing circuits etc as in con unit change or wil an MW cert cover it

confused

liverpool? :|

 
Last edited by a moderator:
personally i would rcd test the ccts to ensure the readings are within spec.

on the sockets while you were there do a zs

as for the need of a MW some would, some wouldnt

its like for like so no need really

but the testing is a must

 
According to niceic inst guide a n item of switchgear or protection device which covers more than one circuit should not be covered by a mwc. Being that an rcd on a split board is almost certainly protecting more than one circuit it would appear from this on page 297 table 16.1 to be a matter for an eic.

Maybe im wrong but thats how it reads to me.

martin

 
According to niceic inst guide a n item of switchgear or protection device which covers more than one circuit should not be covered by a mwc. Being that an rcd on a split board is almost certainly protecting more than one circuit it would appear from this on page 297 table 16.1 to be a matter for an eic.Maybe im wrong but thats how it reads to me.

martin
were talking about 7671 - not the NIC's own version

replacing an RCD is maintenance and should require EIC, possibly MWC but may not be necessary. now if it was installing RCD, that would obviously be different

 
I can't see why you would need a eic if you are changing like for like. It would be a good idea to issua a mwc so that when the Rcd fails you can say it was ok when you fitted it.

Batty

; \

 
I agree with andyc on this one, you are replacing like for like, not a new componant.

I would certianly test the rcd and do a zs for the circuits it protects but only to satisfy that everything is ok.I would think it would be ok to issue a minor works certificate.

 
Ok Andy-but if your with nic surely that would be the case as it says replacement of rcd.

Have to be honest havnt got brb yet so wouldnt know what it says in that.

:coat lol

 
Ok Andy-but if your with nic surely that would be the case as it says replacement of rcd.Have to be honest havnt got brb yet so wouldnt know what it says in that.

:coat lol
not with NIC, but even if i was, i would be working to 7671, not their own version

 
hi you are replacing the rcd like for like you are not changing

the characteristics of the device

 
thanks for all the replies guys. Zs, rcd times and MW I think is best

cheers

 
I think to be perfectly honest there is the age old interpretations of guidelines.

There are only two guidelines you should try to keep to and that is BS 7671, and best practice guides.

If you replace a consumer unit then common sense would tell you that

a, the addition of rcd's to an exsisting circuit would not cause nuisance tripping.

b, the main earth and bonding is to current regulations for the operation of such devises.

c, maximum zs recordings are taken to ensure disconnection of supply in the given times.

d, the continuity of circuit protective core is present throughout the circuit it protects.

I have seen lighting circuits that have missing cpc at some point in the circuit,in this event any earth fault would not trip the rcd in the required time.

I have also taken a reading end to end on a socket circuit to find all is well, only to find no earth at a socket outlet. The earth was twisted together but was not connected to the earthing point on the socket.

Any fault at that socket would prevent the rcd from tripping in the required time.

Always always think safety first, do the required testing then you can go home at night and sleep in the knowledge that today you may have saved some ones life!

 
Top