Rcd Needed For An Outside Light?

[Deleted member 9648]

Well said Jason....there does not appear to be any major issues with the existing installation other than it is old and not up to date....which doesnt mean a simple external light can not be added safely. This sort of sledgehammer to crack a nut advice will just make the client feel you are trying to rip them off.
Agree there would be nothing wrong with advising the client of the advantages of updating their installation though.

 

[Johno]

My post wasn't meant with any disrespect, I had only answered the original question and hadn't read the rest of the posts. Reading it now i appreciate how it may of seemed. I may be wrong, but i was under the impression that you cannot add to a circuit that does not already comply with the current regs and this is why i thought a cu change would be the best option.

 

[Jason Smith]

no worries mate, I believe that as long as a circuit is no WORSE in terms of compliance after we have worked on it , then all is well. I know we install to the 17 now, but loads of our work is obviously on older systems. That one i have just quoted seems to make absolute common sense, other wise everytime they enforce a new edition on us all the countrys wiring systems would have to be updated to some extent before any work on them could be done.IMHO.

 

[Johno]

Some people have said that as long as the additional work complies then is ok, but others say that as the addition uses the existing circuit then, in a way, the addition doesn't comply. Though I agree with the first (in most cases), if in any doubt I tend to cover my behind.

 

[griswald1]

hi,im new on here. your question about needing rcd protection for outside light. appreciate to know what the outcome was. i have someone with old cu with no rcd protection and they want outdoor light fitted.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

There is no requirement for fixed equipment outdoors to be RCD protected.

If you scan through this thread the regulations concerned are quoted.

 

[griswald1]

many thanks,

 

[mikeymoo]

I always had it drilled into me by my college Lecturer When in doubt RCD RCD RCD RCD. The cost of a RCD FCU is so low that its not worth Risking

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I always had it drilled into me by my college Lecturer When in doubt RCD RCD RCD RCD. The cost of a RCD FCU is so low that its not worth Risking

Thats a decision for the installer but it should be made clear that it is not a requirement of 7671 contrary to popular belief.

 

[Benny_Boy]

I always had it drilled into me by my college Lecturer When in doubt RCD RCD RCD RCD. The cost of a RCD FCU is so low that its not worth Risking

I think relying on such conventions makes one lazy, it's much more important to know, and install to, the current regulations. That said there's no harm in additional safety if the price difference is negligible I suppose.