RCD's: Life-Saving Electrical Protection

RCD (Residual Current Device) protection is an electrical safety device that protects against electric shock and fires caused by faulty wiring or electrical appliances, it drastically reduces the risk of serious or fatal electric shocks. In the UK, it is a legal requirement to have RCD protection installed in certain situations and is necessary for most new circuits in a domestic property.

An RCD (Residual Current Device) is designed to prevent electric shock and fire hazards by detecting and responding to electrical faults. They react much faster than standard fuses or circuit breakers when an earth fault occurs, providing crucial protection to people. RCDs are especially important for protecting vulnerable people such as children and the elderly, who may be more susceptible to the dangers of electric shock. 

An RCD constantly monitors the electric current flowing through the circuits it protects. It detects any imbalance in the electrical current, such as leakage current that may occur if someone touches a live wire or if there is a fault in an appliance. 

If an RCD detects an imbalance, it quickly switches off the electricity supply to the affected circuit within 300 milliseconds, usually considerably faster . This rapid response is crucial as it significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death from electric shock.

Even if an electrical installation has passed an EICR, RCDs offer an additional and vital layer of safety focused on preventing electric shock in everyday use. 

Here are some benefits and requirements for having RCD protection installed:

• Protection against electric shock: RCDs provide a high level of protection against electric shock. They detect any imbalance between the live and neutral wires in a circuit and quickly switch off the power if necessary.

• Protection against fires: RCDs can also protect against fires caused by electrical faults. They can detect and cut off the power supply to an appliance or circuit before it causes a fire.

• Legal requirement: In the UK, it is a legal requirement to have RCD protection installed in certain situations. This includes all new electrical installations, certain outdoor electrical equipment, and some high-risk areas such as bathrooms and swimming pools.

Requirements:

• RCDs are required on almost all new electrical installations in the UK, in order to meet the safety standards set by the UK Wiring Regulations (BS7671). This includes new installations as well as alterations and additions to existing installations.

• Outdoor electrical equipment: RCD protection is required for all outdoor electrical equipment that is not protected by a suitable enclosure, such as garden lighting and power sockets.

• High-risk areas: RCD protection is required for all circuits in high-risk areas such as bathrooms, swimming pools, and saunas. This is because the presence of water increases the risk of electric shock.

• Portable equipment: RCD protection is also recommended for portable electrical equipment such as power tools and extension leads. This is because these items are more likely to be damaged or exposed to moisture, which can increase the risk of electric shock.

RCDs are a vital part of modern electrical safety, providing a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit breakers cannot offer. It’s important to have them installed and maintained properly to ensure they function as intended.

Call us today to book an upgrade to install RCD protection in your home.