Quick RCD plug question...

[neds]

I have a 50m cable reel which i use for some power tools. Now I'll be taking some of these outside and so for safety was wondering if it would be OK to just chop off the old 13amp plug and install an RCD plug at the end of it. Is this OK to do? the reel has 4 sockets will these be protected OK or am I missing a trick here?

Cheers

 

[Spark123]

You can if you want, 50m is a fair piece of cable! Remember to fully unwind it before using high current appliances.

 

[thompsk]

You can if you want, 50m is a fair piece of cable! Remember to fully unwind it before using high current appliances.

Good point spark, even a small 10m lead for example can get dangerously hot if a high load is used whilst it is wound up, personally I always unwind fully all my extensions when using them.

 

[neds]

Ah OK cheers! will get me an RCD plug from screwfix tomorrow. Never even thought about unwinding the cable but it does make sense now. Well I suppose my SDS drill could be pretty heavy on current draw?

 

[Taylortwocities]

SFX do cable reels with an RCD already fitted. Maybe a better option for you?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Never even thought about unwinding the cable but it does make sense now.

It should tell you that on the reel or in the instructions.

SFX do cable reels with an RCD already fitted. Maybe a better option for you?

Or an RCD socket so that anything plugged in gets protected?

Or putting all, or all the G/F, sockets on an RCD?

 

[Steve]

indeed, if neds has an RCD in his consumer unit, it probably protects the ground floor sockets already.

 

[neds]

Not sure if my consumer unit is RCD protected, how can you tell? Also I may take the cable reel elsewhere and would like the reassurance. I saw the cable reel with the RCD in place but not a 50m one...

Also just saw they got an RCD adapter, may be more useful that hard wiring one in so i can use it on other stuff. I'm assuming this will have the same effect and can be used with an extension reel of 50m?

 

[Spark123]

The length of lead has nothing to do with RCD protection, an RCD will still protect the cable wether it be 1m or 100m.
If you have an RCD on your CU there will be a unit with a test button on it labelled RCD, RCCB, RCBO or something like that which when you press the test button trips the socket circuit. If you can upload a photo of your CU we may be able help more.
I have a few 50m leads but are a bit more heavy duty (2.5mm), it is a nightmare every time I have to unwind them and will only go back on the drum if they are fed on neatly.

 

[neds]

OK Cheers had a look at the CU and as you say there does appear to be a switch labelled RCD and a test button, so I'm assuming all my wall sockets are protected? Still will be handy when doing work somewhere it hasn't got one.

Yeah the 50M reel is a tad on the bulky side but I thought I'd probably need a longer length and its not that much dearer so opted for that.