Whats this mean on a rcd test

[davesparks]

What evidence can you find to say it has to be done your way?

Just think about it for a minute!
What are you testing?
Why are you testing it?
What effect will a less than perfect IR have on the test?
Could the capacitance of the cables have an effect on the test?

What would be the implications of the above if they did affect the test?

 

[ruston]

it's in GN3 . Not a clear pic , but you will get the gist of what Dave is saying.

 

[Maxstone89]

It doesn't preclude another test method thought.

 

[ruston]

I know , I was just showing you where it was written.

 

[Midwest]

Then you are not carrying out the test correctly!
RCD tests should be carried out at the outgoing terminals of the RCD with the outgoing conductors disconnected.

Perhaps you should revise your test procedures a bit before carrying out any more testing.

I understand your hypothesis for testing an RCD (i.e. just testing the RCD only), but how do you do that in the case of a dual RCD CU, without having to deconstruct the bus bars etc? You would also be carrying out an unnecessary live test, with the CU cover removed, when the test can be carried out at a socket without exposure to live parts, unless I'm not understanding you correctly. Why would manufacturers supply such test leads?

 

[davesparks]

I understand your hypothesis for testing an RCD (i.e. just testing the RCD only), but how do you do that in the case of a dual RCD CU, without having to deconstruct the bus bars etc? You would also be carrying out an unnecessary live test, with the CU cover removed, when the test can be carried out at a socket without exposure to live parts, unless I'm not understanding you correctly. Why would manufacturers supply such test leads?

In a CU the outgoing ocpds can be switched off to disconnect the outgoing circuits then just drop the link from The RCD to the N bar and you have the RCD suitably disconnected.

Having the outgoing circuits connected could bias the RCD to trip at lower current than if it was tested in isolation. If the outgoing circuits were to have say 10mA total leakage on them and the RCD was tripping at 38mA instead of the required <30mA then it would pass the tests with the outgoing circuits connected but not with them disconnected.

A competant person carrying out the tests at the cu following safe working procedures will be at far less risk than the unsuspecting user of the installation who suffers a fatal shock because their RCD was not tripping at the right current.

 

[trev]

I know , I was just showing you where it was written.

Yes it does, the bit where it said "the test should be conducted at........."
Nice to see somethings never change on here guys.

 

[davesparks]

Hi Trev
I take it they've revoked your excommunication order!

 

[trev]

The excommunication order that I made mate

 

[GMES]

Trev is always welcome and it is good to see you back matey I and a lot of others have missed you now can you put these silly sods straight about testing rcd's in the way only you can:rofl:

 

[trev]

Trev is always welcome and it is good to see you back matey I and a lot of others have missed you now can you put these silly sods straight about testing rcd's in the way only you can:rofl:

Thanks for that Glenn. I think I just did though but just in case....
In an IV you've done your tests in the correct order so you know the circuit is in an acceptable condition. You're then going to carry out an RCD test. IE, you're testing the device. So can anyone please explain why you're considering carrying out your test in an incorrect manner.
On an EICR, it doesn't matter which order you carry out your tests as the circuit is already in service. However, at some point you're required to test the device. Not the bloody circuit because you've most likely already done that. So the same applies, why the almighty bloody hell are you proposing to carry out the test in an incorrect manner?
All this is Janet and John stuff lads, it's all there in the books that we're supposed to have a thorough working knowledge of.




See Glenn, never said **** or upset anyone. Told you I could do it

 

[Doomed]

However, if there is no load you can test at the RCD without disconnecting the circuit.

 

[Doomed]

Note that I said AT the RCD, not on the circuit.

 

[ruston]

I was just saying I know that other test methods are not precluded , not that the op is correct lol.

Edit: Forgot to quote Trevs post lol.

 

[davesparks]

However, if there is no load you can test at the RCD without disconnecting the circuit.

No, because the circuit conductors are still connected and can skew the test result.

You are testing the RCD device, not the RCD + outgoing conductors or anything else.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Yes it does, the bit where it said "the test should be conducted at........."
Nice to see somethings never change on here guys.

Who are you?

 

[trev]

Who are you?

Not a bloody clue Steve, how the hell are you?

 

[Maxstone89]

NICEIC ALLOW rcd test to be done at the socket.

on my yearly checkup, id put in a new socket radial circuit, he asked me some questions and then to show him how i carried out all my testing, hes said nothing when i showed him an rcd test via the socket.

 

[Leesparkykent]

NICEIC ALLOW rcd test to be done at the socket.

on my yearly checkup, id put in a new socket radial circuit, he asked me some questions and then to show him how i carried out all my testing, hes said nothing when i showed him an rcd test via the socket.

so what? It's written in black and white how the test should be conducted for the reasons mentioned in various other posts on this thread.

 

[trev]

Kurtis, the NIC make their own rules up. Maybe the inspector was clueless, there's a few of them about. Check out the post which quoted GN3 mate.