RCDs and the Importance of the Test Button.

[telectrix]

done a small job today. just a socket & SFCU ( for a light) in customer's shed, on existing feed. feed cable is 2.5mm on a 16A MCB, RCD protected. cable tested OK, installed bits. Zs 2.4Ω. ramp test of RCD, mft reads>51mS. prerssed test button on RCD (which the customer said had never been done or RCD tripped in 15 years). then re-tested. ramp 27mS. times... 32mSec@ x1. 9mSec@ x5. just goes to show that they can get sticky.

 

[Stroppy]

All the installations I do trip frequently on their own, so the RCD's don't get a chance to get 'sticky'!

 

[Rockingit]

yes....
and how many customers take any notice of the test quarterly sticker....or are shown functional operation on handover...

Of course my own house gets plunged into 'reset all the clocks mode' every 12 weeks, Mrs Rock just lives for the moment.

:joker:

 

[Stroppy]

This is the trouble. The conscientous householder may do the test a few times, but then either soon forgets, or thinks fup that, I'm not going round resetting everything every time I do this, and doesn't bother.

 

[telectrix]

but these same customers who can't be arsed to do this simple thing won't forget to have the BMW/Merc/4x4 serviced regularly, just in case the brakes fail and they get splattered across the M6. but they're quite happy to put their lives in the hands of a £20 device that may or may not work to save said lives. crazy.

 

[Stroppy]

The mentality seems to be "if it works its got to be fine." Maybe all RCD's should have a 12 week timer and alarm fitted to them which is silenced with the test button.

 

[R G]

The mentality seems to be "if it works its got to be fine." Maybe all RCD's should have a 12 week timer and alarm fitted to them which is silenced with the test button.

Failing that , ask the client what appliance they use roughly every 3 months , and then put the neutral in the earth at the plug top .

 

[GLENNSPARK]

but these same customers who can't be arsed to do this simple thing won't forget to have the BMW/Merc/4x4 serviced regularly, just in case the brakes fail and they get splattered across the M6. but they're quite happy to put their lives in the hands of a £20 device that may or may not work to save said lives. crazy.

its the `well its always worked fine` mentality here again Tel....
till it fires that is...

 

[Richard Burns]

I tell customers to at least test the RCDs every six months since you will need to change the clocks with BST / GMT changes anyway so why not test the RCDs at the same time!

 

[UNG]

if the RCD fails to operate 1st time using the manual test button then i was always told it should be condemned...but as has been pointed out....thousands of RCDs would then have to be condemned....a few goes usually loosens em up....
another one as well is an RCD should be replaced everytime it clears a fault....
suppose that puts testing them out to grass then....

Trouble is that there is no fault or service indicators so how do you ever tell it's cleared a fault

but these same customers who can't be arsed to do this simple thing won't forget to have the BMW/Merc/4x4 serviced regularly, just in case the brakes fail and they get splattered across the M6. but they're quite happy to put their lives in the hands of a £20 device that may or may not work to save said lives. crazy.

Most cars these days have a built in reminder for servicing and major faults so it does make it difficult to forget or ignore. May be there is an opportunity for someone to develop a consumer unit that informs the householder that their installation needs an EICR or other work carrying out

 

[telectrix]

should make them like intruded alarms with a service timer. time runs out - leccy cuts off, call sparks.

 

[UNG]

Now there's an idea

 

[Engineer54]

Someone earlier on thread highlighted the reason why homeowners don't regularly push the test button on RCD's. Because it means going round the house resetting all the electronic clocks and timers on the majority of modern day appliances and entertainment systems . I'm afraid nothings going to change very much, for that very reason!! lol!!

 

[bigbaddave]

Someone earlier on thread highlighted the reason why homeowners don't regularly push the test button on RCD's. Because it means going round the house resetting all the electronic clocks and timers on the majority of modern day appliances and entertainment systems . I'm afraid nothings going to change very much, for that very reason!! lol!!

I know what you mean on that one. Explain to he customer on install about testing and I bet its probably only less than 5% ever press the test button..