Any electricians in the house? - RCD wiring question

[TSS]

I’m fitting an RCD for some automated gates. It didn’t come with any instructions. It has 2 earth terminals, one marked “E” with an earth symbol next to it and one mark “SE” with an earth symbol next to it.

Which earth do I connect to which? Presumably one is for the earth from the house and one if for the earth wire from whatever the RCD is protecting? Does "SE" mean Supply Earth, i.e. the earth from the house?

Thanks,

TSS

[jhfozzy]

What make / model is the RCD, have you tried to google the model to find the instructions?

They way they are designed it shouldn't matter which way round you connect the earth terminals BUT....

In my experience, when I've seen them connected the wrong way round they WILL NOT protect the circuit. i.e. not trip.

You could test the unit (in safe conditions) to find out which way to connect the earths.

But I personally wouldn't fit the unit unless I could get hold of the instructions or find someone who knows the unit wiring.

Edited by jhfozzy on Tuesday 27th October 11:17

[JERRYCO]

RCDs are wired using live and neutral not the earth. Is it an RCBO? Do you know the make?

[jhfozzy]

JERRYCO said:

RCDs are wired using live and neutral not the earth. Is it an RCBO? Do you know the make?

Most RCBOs have a fly lead coming off them, he doesn't mention one, it could be an ELCB, I know a few people that call them (wrongly or rightly) RCDs.

[TSS]

It's one of these: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/83049/Electrical-Sup...

I think I have found the answer though. SE stands for Seperated Earth, so for normal installations not powering sensitive equipment you simply wire both earth terminals together.

Many thanks for the replies though.