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When is a residual current device required?
In what scenarios would a residual current device be necessary? What is the overall purpose of this device and is it ever legally required?
Expert Trade Answers
"You would use one to protect your Electric lawnmower if it cuts through the cable."
Answered on 14th Mar 2022 - Member since Feb 2022 -
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"Required for all domestic consumer units that have got circuits feeding socket outlets and lighting circuits.
For the purpose of protecting human life from fatal electrical shock in the event of a fault condition occurring in the electrical installation.
Very useful device."
For the purpose of protecting human life from fatal electrical shock in the event of a fault condition occurring in the electrical installation.
Very useful device."
Answered on 9th Nov 2021 - Member since Sep 2020 -
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"Every Circuit in a house these days should be protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD).
Most fuseboards should have twin RCD to meet with current wiring regulations."
Most fuseboards should have twin RCD to meet with current wiring regulations."
Answered on 9th Nov 2021 - Member since Oct 2021 -
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"In order to provide protection against both over current and earth leakage, requiring a high current to flow to earth. Rated at 30mA."
Answered on 2nd May 2022 - Member since Jun 2021 -
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"The Residual Circuit Breaker is essential equipment for human protection in a house. Most home insurance requires a certificate of electrical installation and no RCD will fail. A practical example of using a residual circuit breaker, 32 Amp Circuit Breaker only trips after 32 amp, if it has a residual circuit breaker with 0.003 amp or 30mA it is tripped off. The current that passes through the human body is much smaller."
Answered on 28th Dec 2021 - Member since Oct 2021 -
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"Properties supplied by a TT earthing arrangement (one with a local earth terminal, as opposed to an earth being provided by the distributor). This typically includes rural locations fed by overhead cables. In this case, a 100mA RCD should be used for all circuits other than those below, which require a 30mA RCD.
Socket outlets for general use, where a device can be routinely plugged in or disconnected.
Any location with a bath or shower.
Circuits supplying equipment for use outdoors - for example, outside sockets, or sockets in a garage used to supply a jetwasher or lawnmower.
Cables installed in walls or partitions where the installation depth is less than 50mm, or where the wall contains metal parts other than nails/screws."
Socket outlets for general use, where a device can be routinely plugged in or disconnected.
Any location with a bath or shower.
Circuits supplying equipment for use outdoors - for example, outside sockets, or sockets in a garage used to supply a jetwasher or lawnmower.
Cables installed in walls or partitions where the installation depth is less than 50mm, or where the wall contains metal parts other than nails/screws."
Answered on 15th Jun 2022 - Member since Oct 2021 -
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