Electrical question - RCD

booksandbikes

Can anyone kindly tell me if this consumer unit has RCD protection? There is an RCD spur and the individual breakers have a yellow T button on them but I don't know if that means there is RCD protection on everything (and googling just give me too much technical detail that I don't understand)?

We are going to get a couple more electrical sockets installed in our garage, and wondering if the consumer unit could do with an upgrade as well, even though it looks fairly new.

sheenas

The consumer unit looks fine and looks right up to date. There signs that all might not be well with the quality of installation. I would spend money on an eicr inspection and have the issues fixed.

Keep_pedalling

There is no RCB protection on that CU.

QrizB

Keep_pedalling said:

There is no RCB protection on that CU.

... but every circuit has an RCBO, which provides broadly equivalent protection. 

It's also got a SPD (right-most module, orange).

OP per you previous threads I think you only moved in a year ago. Did you get an EICR as part of your purchase paperwork?

Rodders53

Keep_pedalling said:

There is no RCB protection on that CU.

Wrong.  
Each circuit is on a RCBO (Residual Current circuit Breaker with Overcurrent protection) device - combines RCD and MCB in one unit within the consumer unit. Observe the yellow 'test' button on each RCBO.

Only SP switched in that variant, but that's OK.

It has a Surge Protection Device (SPD) that has a standard RCD protecting that device.

A closer picture to see all the markings on the RCBOs would identify what type of RCD protection they provide more precisely.  They should be type A (or better) RCD rather than AC which was the norm until fairly recently.

That is a very modern Consumer Unit and probably quite recent -- it should probably have an install and/or next test date sticker on it somewhere but I can't see one that is readable.  Local Council Building regs may/should have a record.

booksandbikes

I've dug out the paperwork - it was installed in 2021 with a next testing date of 2026.


QrizB - yes, we moved in October last year. There was no EICR provided, but I found an invoice for one (with listed defects which I assume were fixed) from 2021 which is when the previous owner had the new CU and electric hob installed. 

Here is a closer pic of one of the RCBOs plus the relevant section for the EIC from the CU install. I can't see reference to A or AC anywhere.


So, as it is relatively new it's not worth changing to RCD? All the wiring around it looks bloomin' awful but I guess that is just aesthetics...?

booksandbikes

sheenas said:

The consumer unit looks fine and looks right up to date. There signs that all might not be well with the quality of installation. I would spend money on an eicr inspection and have the issues fixed.

What are the signs? The higgeldy-piggeldy wiring or something else?

grumpy_codger

booksandbikes said:

...
So, as it is relatively new it's not worth changing to RCD? All the wiring around it looks bloomin' awful but I guess that is just aesthetics...?

RCDs exist for decades. RCBOs are newer, more advanced improvement. And they seem to be type B if this makes any difference (that's what 'B' indicates in RT060630B) https://www.tradesparky.com/circuit-protection/fusebox/rcbo/fusebox-rt060630b-rcbo-spn-6a-30ma-6ka.
I'm no expert, but I don't see any real 'issues' and wouldn't waste money on any inspections.

ic

booksandbikes said:

So, as it is relatively new it's not worth changing to RCD?

You have RCD protection, with the benefit that a trip on any circuit doesn't kill the electric to other circuits.  Installation of RCBOs as you have is more expensive than MCBs plus an RCD.  Unless there was a fault and the lot needed replacing, what you have is what you want.

Ectophile

Here is a closer pic of one of the RCBOs plus the relevant section for the EIC from the CU install. I can't see reference to A or AC anywhere.

From the part number, they are type A https://fusebox.co.uk/products/rta060630b/

QrizB

booksandbikes said:

So, as it is relatively new it's not worth changing to RCD?

That would be a backwards step, almost as retrograde as replacing your breakers with rewirable fuses.

RCDs are the past. RCBOs are the present.