18th edition board requirements ?

[Firetrekker]

Hi,
Could I ask as I’m newish to this industry, I’m trying to get a definitive or generally accepted layout for a typical 18th edition domestic board. SPD, increased RCD rating etc. What’s the requirement for a new domesic install???
Thanks.

 

[45140]

The consumer unit profile will match the wiring requirements, with regards to the rest, this detail is in BS7671 and the associated on-site guides that are available.

 

[Zdb]

Hi,
Could I ask as I’m newish to this industry, I’m trying to get a definitive or generally accepted layout for a typical 18th edition domestic board. SPD, increased RCD rating etc. What’s the requirement for a new domesic install???
Thanks.

Type A RCDs rather than the standard type AC.

I think full RCBO ticks a few boxes

 

[Firetrekker]

Thanks, I will have a look at those.

 

[telectrix]

and joan of arc detectors and splurge devices, are a recommendation, not a necessity.

 

[Firetrekker]

It seems the discrimination of rcd to be say an A type for the average domestic seems to be a given now, and then up from that for specific requirements. What I’m getting is an AC type does all days are at an end .

 

[45140]

It seems the discrimination of rcd to be say an A type for the average domestic seems to be a given now, and then up from that for specific requirements. What I’m getting is an AC type does all days are at an end .

Then you are being misinformed. There is NO restriction on the use of AC RCDs whatsoever. The choice of an A against an AC is related to the use of electronic equipment which may generate low level dc current which can cause irregular tripping, or where a device could generate a dc current that could cause the RCD to fail wrongside - eg not to trip when a fault occurs.

In many cases there will be no necessity to default away from AC types. A number of the RCD manufacturers sites contain detailed information on the subject.

 

[Firetrekker]

Hi, yes I’ve been on several including Hagar and the first mention of circuitry and the requirement to cover it comes in the AC category, and every domestic house has usb chargers, led lighting, electronic washing machines and the move to wards technology just increasing day by day, wouldn’t you say a type A should become the default now for general domestic, unless as I said you have specific reasons to do otherwise?

 

[l4urence]

Hi, yes I’ve been on several including Hagar and the first mention of circuitry and the requirement to cover it comes in the AC category, and every domestic house has usb chargers, led lighting, electronic washing machines and the move to wards technology just increasing day by day, wouldn’t you say a type A should become the default now for general domestic, unless as I said you have specific reasons to do otherwise?

I agree with your view, certainly for any circuit with socket outlets. It depends on the circuits of course - immersion, non dimmer / LED lighting - conventional loads could remain on type AC but I would only consider this where say the cost of RCBO's wouldn't justify the cost.