top flor flat & 16th edition

[binky]

Just been working on a 3 year old flat, on top floor, and was surprised to see no RCD in CU for sockets, but as I mostly work houses, couldn't think if RCD was essential for such a flat where no portable appliances are ever going to be used outdoors (at least not without a huge extension lead :^O )

 

[Apache]

Suppose not on the 16th.......

 

[Lurch]

Under the 16th edition the requirement for an RCD was for 'sockets that were reasonably expected to supply portable equipment used outdoors', so as you say it's pretty unlikely for the sockets in a top floor flat to be used to supply portable equipment used outdoors.

 

[Andy™]

^ what he says. no need for the RCD to be there under 16th

 

[Evans Electric]

Nothing wrong with that IMO . Wired correctly to the regs current at the time.

Deke

 

[PBC_1966]

Sounds fine to me as well. Fully compliant with the 16th edition since one would not reasonably expect the sockets to be used for equipment outdoors.

 

[matt.leung]

i would still chuck an RCD in, weather it is a flat, house or shop etc...

cant go wrong then.... safety first...

 

[Lurch]

i would still chuck an RCD in, weather it is a flat, house or shop etc... cant go wrong then.... safety first...

I'd disagree. I see what you're saying, RCD is safer than no RCD, but I hate seeing RCD's thrown in for no reason.

 

[PBC_1966]

RCD's thrown in for no reason.

Isn't that the 17th edition credo? Just throw an RCD on everything......

 

[Lurch]

Isn't that the 17th edition credo? Just throw an RCD on everything......

Yes, as I've said before, knee jerk reaction to solve a problem that never existed just because it was highlighted by someone who had soem weight and didn;t know what the actual problem was.

 

[PBC_1966]

Yes, as I've said before, knee jerk reaction to solve a problem that never existed

My sentiments exactly. While RCD's have their uses and offer an improved degree of safety, I really feel that we've gone completely over the top with them now.

And the way the devices have been presented to the public, a lot of people have been left with the idea that with an RCD there's no chance of severe shock or electrocution, which, of course, is nonsense.

 

[Andy™]

i would still chuck an RCD in, weather it is a flat, house or shop etc... cant go wrong then.... safety first...

whilst 17th ed may require it, 16th did not.

RCDs are not always safety first. although according to 17th ed, RCD's are God

 

[binky]

Under the 16th edition the requirement for an RCD was for 'sockets that were reasonably expected to supply portable equipment used outdoors', so as you say it's pretty unlikely for the sockets in a top floor flat to be used to supply portable equipment used outdoors.

This is what I thought, just wanted to double check.