Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This one, concerning a distribution board, and whether RCD protection is required for related existing 16th Edition circuits, is answered by the NICEIC:
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| Is RCD protection needed? |
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Question: If a distribution board requires to be replaced in order to add a new circuit into an existing installation, is it necessary (if required under the 17th Edition regulations - BS7671 : 2008) to fit RCD protection to existing, unaltered (apart from re-tested) 16th Edition circuits?
Answer: The description of the works given falls under the category of alterations and additions and, as such, Regulation 610.4 applies. Basically, alterations and additions are to comply with BS7671 : 2008. Assuming that the reason for any RCD protection is to satisfy Regulation 522.6.7 (cables located in wall or partitions at < 50mm depth), then there may be other options.
Firstly, the designer should consider whether the installation is under the supervision of a 'skilled' or 'instructed' person as per Regulation 522.6.7. Installations in most places of work can be expected to be under the supervision of such a person to meet health and safety legislation. If this is the case, then RCD protection would not be required. Neither would it be required if the cables were mechanically protected as noted under Regulation 522.6.6.
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link: www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions
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Related contacts
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NICEIC Group Ltd.,
Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park,
Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU5 5ZX
Tel: +44 (0)1582 531 000
Fax: +44 (0)1582 531 010
Email: enquiries@niceic.com
Web: www.niceic.com |
enquiries@niceic.com
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| Source: NICEIC & James Hunt |
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