BS 7671: 2008 - increasing use of RCD's.

[securespark]

A recent thread got me thinking about this & it has been the subject of debate here before now.

If you cannot guarantee a cable protection by other means, it must be RCD-protected.

What if you end up with every circuit RCD-protected?

Is that OK, providing you have RCBO's? Or does it still fall foul?

 

[Spark123]

I suppose as long as they are all arranged as so you don't lose all the circuits at once i.e. if you are using RCBOs it will be just as inconvenient as it is at the moment when an MCB trips.
My one gripe would have to be putting ALL circuits (including lighting) in a bathroom on RCD. I personally think pushing for SELV lighting will be a better way forward. As it read in the DPC, SELV lighting would need to be RCD protected . I put one of the forms into the IET a while back mentioning this.

 

[bernardgreen]

We have everything in our house divided between two RCDs.

The asssignment of circuits to RCD was based on safety.

Lights in the kitchen are not on the same RCD as power in the kitchen. So an accident with a kettle that results in scalding and tripped power RCD does not take out the lights.

 

[oharaf]

I think its the Germans, on the contenant they love RCBO's; I believe it is another attempt to bring us into line with europe

Personally I see the use of RCD to protect circuits apart from lighting circuits and a few exceptions to be more than adequate

Cannot wait to see the 17th edition, there are some blinders apparently such as light switches in bathrooms and no more final rings but radials!!!!

Ejitts

 

[dingbat]

Cannot wait to see the 17th edition, there are some blinders apparently such as light switches in bathrooms and no more final rings but radials!!!!

Your sources are guessing wrong.

 

[oharaf]

What have you heard DB. i was have been told that light switches, very similar to external fittings are going to allowed into the bathroom just like those crazy Italian lot have

 

[dingbat]

Light switches are already allowed in zone 3.

 

[Adam_151]

Article in one of the wiring matters seemed to indicate that in a domestic setting, any concealed cable, thats not mechanically protected needs to be on a 30ma RCD in addition to being in safe zones!

This is certainly different from what was put forward in the DPC, so we will have to wait and see, I suppose

 

[dingbat]

Yup, Adam.

It's okay though... it'll only add around £300 to the cost of a CU change! (assuming RCBOs)

I'm off to buy shares in Hager/Wylex/MK...

 

[Adam_151]

I'm off to buy shares in Hager/Wylex/MK...

In reality... we'll just see RCD incommer boards come back into fashion

Surely checking safe zones is common sense? If we start trying to protect people against lack of common sense we might be busy for quite some time

 

[daytona]

Light switches are already allowed in zone 3.

zone 3 will no longer be defined as a zone!

 

[daytona]

Cannot wait to see the 17th edition, there are some blinders apparently such as light switches in bathrooms and no more final rings but radials!!!!

Your sources are guessing wrong.

supplementary bonding no longer required,(if main bonding complies with part 41)ANY circuit in a special location will have to be rcd protected,rcd protected socket outlets allowed in bathrooms up to 3m from bath or shower.

 

[Spark123]

I think the point Dingbat was trying to make is that light switches are currently allowed in a bathroom subject to them being in Zone 3 in response to oharaf.

ANY circuit in a special location will have to be rcd protected,

Any circuits in any special location need to be RCD protected? Are you sure?

 

[daytona]

i was refering to locations containing a bath or shower and yes im sure..

 

[Cremeegg]

Adam - yes according to ECA seminar this week - all cables in walls etc less than 50mm from surface and not mechanically protected will have to be RCD protected - be they power, lighting or switch drops - whether they are in safe zones or not.