As a matter of interest, I wonder why you and SFX are suggesting that - just because of the age of the existing residual current device? (although it looks as if they have probably 'paralleled' the three L paths through the device, they needn't have done, but that won't have made any difference to functionality)
Kind Regards, John
I think I agree with you, I expect to see the earth termination.There's nothing wrong with the cut-out in the OPs picture. That's exactly what that style should look like.
That's what a Series 6 cutout looks like, it's predominantly used for TN-S/SNE services.Really? never seen one without a cover like that.
Fair enough - that's the answer to the question I asked - i.e. whether your advice was based just on the age of the RCD.Which do you think will trip first? I'd hope either but given that device is probably almost as old as me and probably rarely tested I'd want peace of mind and a local RCD inside the garage.
Ah - fair enough.I suggested a RCD because at that point only the closeup image of the CU was shown, and I thought that there was no RCD in place. Later images did then show the ELCB prior to the CU.
OK - so in answer to my question, you (as well as chivers) were concerned about the age of the RCD. If it were you, would you not just test it, or would the age put you off completely, regardless of test results?However, if I was using a metal based/framed table saw in a remote garage, with that old ELCB in place in the house, I think I would still be tempted to get an £9 RCD on the garage socket.
I thought that - but it's a pretty modern meter (I would have guessed {perhaps wrongly!} probably installed in the last decade or so) and I find it hard to believe it would then have been connected to rubber tails.I can't see anyone has mentioned the tails between the meter and the elcb, are they some kind of braided rubber cable? I'd expect to see insulated and sheathed PVC tails in an up to date installation.
I agree with you about the installation's general need for TLC (and maybe more), but I'm not sure that what you say above is all that logical ...JohnW2, I was not concerned about the 'age' of the RCD causing it to not work.
I am happy with bathtub failure curves. I was concerned that the system as a whole looks like it works, but needs some TLC as seems to have some not-age-related issues. So I would be treating that setup warily. .... Hence having a plug in RCD directly on the new table saw would make me happier that the saw itself would be safer (eg if I nicked its cable) if other parts of the system were at issue.
Maybe but if that is the incoming PEN customer earth terminal (or a separate earth conductor), it's a (small) extraneous conductive part and should be bonded(!)There's nothing wrong with the cut-out in the OPs picture. That's exactly what that style should look like.
I'd hope you would test them on a Regular basis mechanically and electronically for disconnection times. I've had a number of RCDs fail in my line of work that aren't that old at all but due to what looks like irregular testing have caused them to have poor disconnection times. Also since the OP doesn't sound like getting an electrician to do any remedial work done sometime soon I think having that RCD socket would be safer?Fair enough - that's the answer to the question I asked - i.e. whether your advice was based just on the age of the RCD.
As a matter of interest. At what age (or after how many years of service) do you feel an RCD should be 'retired'? Most of mine are probably about 20 years old - in my position, would you be worrying?
Kind Regards, John
I do (although I'm not sure what you mean by 'test mechanically' - do you mean by pressing the Test button {which activates the mechanism electronically}).I'd hope you would test them on a Regular basis mechanically and electronically for disconnection times.
Indeed. As I said, age is not really a good indicator of anything - modern RCDs can sometimes fail very young, and some old one can go on satisfactorily 'for ever'.I've had a number of RCDs fail in my line of work that aren't that old at all but due to what looks like irregular testing have caused them to have poor disconnection times.
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