RCD on garage electrics
Discussion
They can be very effective, but with any electrical equipment, they can fail. They are a secondary protective device, after proper insulation, mechanical protection, proper earthing, correct choice of short circuit protection etc. They are very effective, but should never be relied on. As per earlier posts, they are mandatory on many circuits.
So it does sound like a basic "Garage consumer unit with RCD" which Screwfix sell for £20 would solve things. I could fit that in no time, but what concerns me is whether it needs to be tested. Could I just put in an extra earth spike at the garage to ensure it's properly earthed or should I get in the electrician who can do the earth test etc as well?
Sorting out my house consumer unit can be another task then. RCD protection sounds good to me because I am pretty reckless so the extra protection would be good and I can take the opportunity to have the consumer unit moved to make space for under staits toilet.
Gandland and people, thank you very much for advice.
Sorting out my house consumer unit can be another task then. RCD protection sounds good to me because I am pretty reckless so the extra protection would be good and I can take the opportunity to have the consumer unit moved to make space for under staits toilet.
Gandland and people, thank you very much for advice.
Do I take it there is no RCD protection on the house consumer unit then?
If there is an earth at the main intake position in the house, there should be need for an earth spike (I do not know enough about your installation to give an informed opinion).
Yes, testing would be necessary - it is required by BS 7671 and part P of the building regs. Any consumer unit change is 'notifiable work', so it has to be undertaken by an approved domestic installer, or signed off by building control.
If there is an earth at the main intake position in the house, there should be need for an earth spike (I do not know enough about your installation to give an informed opinion).
Yes, testing would be necessary - it is required by BS 7671 and part P of the building regs. Any consumer unit change is 'notifiable work', so it has to be undertaken by an approved domestic installer, or signed off by building control.
I ran a power source out to my garage, which has a single bus bar RCD protected CU fitted in it. However, to prevent the main feed from the house tripping if the garage trips, the feed from the main CU in the house is fitted with an MCBO with an 80 millisecond delay (where the main circuit in the house is also protected with an RCD). Gives good discrimination.
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