Q & A of the Day - Do domestic RCD regulations apply to commercial properties too?

Question: I'm currently re-wiring a chip shop. In this establishment there are fridges, freezers, fly killers and an emergency lighting system, as well as three-phase equipment. All of this electrical equipment is fed from an existing three-phase board that is only two years old.

Could you please advise me on whether the same regulations for RCDs in domestic property apply to commercial properties?

Answer: If you are re-wiring the chip shop, then similar regulations apply when the installation is used by ordinary persons - i.e. RCD protection for socket-outlets less than 20A and used by ordinary persons for general use, and for cables that may be buried less than 50mm deep and which are not suitably protected by earthed metallic protection.

If however, in such a commercial establishment as you describe, the installation is under the supervision of a skilled or instructed person, then RCD protection may not be required. You will need to establish whether this will be the case or not.

Generally speaking, the premises would normally be under the control of a supervisor or manager who should be aware of the dangers that electricity can create and who can adequately supervise and/or instruct the staff.

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