RCBO'S

[sherman0251]

Why do alot of sparks fit seperate RCBOS instead of a dual RCD board apart from making the installation almost nucience free???
As far as im aware this is a much more expensive way of installing????

 

[Steve]

Because it is more in the spirit of the regs. Twin RCD boards are a shortcut.

 

[sherman0251]

I may be being a bit simple but can u explain?? If all circuits are protected by an RCD and circuits are split correctly between the 2 then how is it taking shortcuts?? Regards

 

[RF Lighting]

Because if you get a fault on one circuit it still takes out half your installation.

Imagine you are on holiday and a bit of water gets into an outside light which is fed from the upstairs lighting circuit.

This fault trips one of your RCDs.

The downstairs sockets are on the same RCD.

The contents of your freezer are ruined, as is your kitchen floor

How much extra was an RCBO again?

 

[sparkyspike]

It's only expense that stops more RCBOs being used. In my house I have a split load board with RCBOs on one side for most of the circuits, and a common RCD on the other side for non-essential circuits (garage, outside lights, underfloor heating)..

But for customers I'm normally limited to fitting just two RCBOs in a 'high-integrity' CU. I tend to recommend RCBOs, but end up compromising due to the cost. As Steve says, dual RCDs are a shortcut and not as good a solution.

 

[Click-Sure]

I'm doing an all-RCBO install tomorrow as it happens.

It is only 6 circuits though.

 

[securespark]

I did an 8 way a few months back. A Hager with all RCBO's. A bit of a begger really. The RCBO's tails were a PIA and the extra height robbed space where those tails (and the circuit wiring) would have gone.