Thunderstorm on Saturday & RCD

[Clitheroe]

Saturday night in my area there was some loud thundering and I might have also heard reports of lightning if I remember rightly. The 3OmA RCD in the consumer unit at my parents house tripped (for the sockets, workshop and outdoor lights). The Time delayed one however I was told never tripped (tt system and long overhead line). This is most likely to be due to the thunder probably but what bothers me is there any chance the RCD(s) could be damaged or are they ok?, since I dont have the proper equipment to check them properly.

Many Thanks

 

[luminaire]

All RCDs come with fitted with a Test button. Look inside your Consumer Unit and you should easily spot it. It is advised you test them at least once every three months.

What's wrong with using the test button - that's why it's there.

Obviously it's not the same as testing it with a meter but how many householders can do that.

It's been shown that where people have tested on a regular basis they have had less problems than those do don't or never test them.

 

[Steve]

This is a bit naughty, and it only gives a rough indication of the RCD's performance, do it at your own risk:

to test the 30mA RCD, connect a 20 watt lamp between live and earth. This creates a 80mA fault. The 30mA RCD will trip instantly.

to test the TD RCD, you need another lamp rated appropriately (I=P/V) and connect it to a circuit NOT protected by the 30mA RCD.

25 watt is about 100mA
75 watt is about 320mA (good luck finding bulbs of these ratings)

alternatively, ask an electrician to test the RCD, and you will get a much clearer picture of its performance.

 

[Clitheroe]

All RCDs come with fitted with a Test button. Look inside your Consumer Unit and you should easily spot it. It is advised you test them at least once every three months.

What's wrong with using the test button - that's why it's there.

Obviously it's not the same as testing it with a meter but how many householders can do that.

It's been shown that where people have tested on a regular basis they have had less problems than those do don't or never test them.

Yes I know. Just for the record I actually DO test it quarterly like the label near the mains says. I was just wondering really why it actually tripped.

 

[luminaire]

[Yes I know. Just for the record I actually DO test it quarterly like the label near the mains says. I was just wondering really why it actually tripped.[/quote]

To properly test the operation of the RCD you would need an RCD tester.
To do that presumably you would need to call in an electrician, unless you can hire one from somewhere. Even then you would need to know how to use one and able to interpret the results.
Best of luck.