16th Adding RCBO's

[AndyPRK]

I am considering getting my 16th edition installation upgraded by getting some RCBO's fitted for the lighting circuits (on the non RCD side).
With PME, is there any advantage in getting the immersion heater MCB changed to an RCBO. (I have a gas boiler).
I'm thinking no human is likely to get in contact with live wires by accident, with the exception of drilling through a cable.
Or infact is there a disadvantage in fitting an RCBO? i.e it tripping when I want to use the heater as a backup.

I don't think I want RCBO's on the Alarm and Smoke Alarms.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I am considering getting my 16th edition installation upgraded by getting some RCBO's fitted for the lighting circuits (on the non RCD side).

OK. You could also achieve this by fitting another RCCB to the unprotected side.

With PME, is there any advantage in getting the immersion heater MCB changed to an RCBO. (I have a gas boiler).

PME has nothing to do with it.

They are a safety device. It matters not what is on the end of the circuit except sockets to which you have connected hand-held appliances especially outdoors.

I'm thinking no human is likely to get in contact with live wires by accident, with the exception of drilling through a cable.

That's a ridiculous sentence.

Accidents happen. From accidents are what RCDs may protect you.

Do you often drill through cables and contact live wires on purpose?

Or infact is there a disadvantage in fitting an RCBO? i.e it tripping when I want to use the heater as a backup.

Not really because that would mean there was a fault which without the RCBO (or one or two RCCBs) you may not discover.

I don't think I want RCBO's on the Alarm and Smoke Alarms.

Why not?

If you can answer that then the same applies above - except sockets...


Fundamentally it's up to you.

If you want to pay for safety devices which could save your and your loved ones' lives then all well and good - or don't have faults nor accidents.

 

[plugwash]

Personally I wouldn't bother, IMO as long as the person looking after the property understands where the safe zones are there is no real need for RCBOs on fixed equipment circuits.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I am considering getting my 16th edition installation upgraded by getting some RCBO's fitted for the lighting circuits (on the non RCD side).

Why would you be considering this? It's not a must do

With PME, is there any advantage in getting the immersion heater MCB changed to an RCBO. (I have a gas boiler).

No advantages over any other domestic earthing arrangement

I'm thinking no human is likely to get in contact with live wires by accident, with the exception of drilling through a cable.

Be surprised!

Or infact is there a disadvantage in fitting an RCBO? i.e it tripping when I want to use the heater as a backup.

They can nuisance trip, which would be a great disadvantage if needed as back up.

I don't think I want RCBO's on the Alarm and Smoke Alarms.

There are ways around it, but if these circuits are already in place not really worth considering, as they can as stated before nuisance trip.