Two RCD's or only one??

[gypmaster]

Hi,

Got an aroured power cable running out of the house, under some paving then under a deck and into a socket.

The socket feeds two 'outdoor' switches, one of which powers a pond pump ...

question is, I thik - should I put an RCD on the power cable coming out of the house?

And
]should I put an RCD on the cable that runs from theoutdoor switch that powers the pump?

TIA

 

[Spark123]

Armoured cable itself does not have to have RCD protection, the socket does need RCD protection. This can be achieved by using an RCD "Powerbreaker" type socket or by having an RCD protecting the armoured cable and the socket.
Are these switches plugged in?
Also, you should note that this work is notifiable to your LABC under part p of the building regs.

 

[festa]

Yeah upstream RCD protection for me,then anything you add in the future will also be automatically protected.

ooops by upstream i mean using an RCD in the C/UNIT in the form of either group protection or singular RCBO.
Just bare in mind pond pumps can offer leaky earth current`s and on some occasions sheath currents* can found to run in the armour of SWA and trip the C/UNIT RCD taking out all other circuits protected by the same RCD.

*Ive never come accross armour sheath current`s but ive heard about them from other installers.

 

[gypmaster]

Cheers for the advice guys,

so where exactly should I have the RCD?

In case you haven't guessed, I have no electrical experience/knowledge at all

 

[mikeyd]

Spark123 - You need to edit your post. I'm know it's just a typeo but you have written that armored cables need RCD protection.

Gypmaster. Best option would be RCBO as per Festas suggestion (if your consumer unit will support one) It would go in place of the MCB.

 

[Spark123]

cheers

 

[gypmaster]

Cheers,

given what I've said about the set-up i.e. no RCD anywhere, is it safe?

I reckon I'll need to get a qualified leccy in then, eh?

 

[Spark123]

An outside socket without RCD protection is not considered safe.

It may be better to consult a qualified pro, yeah.