Can any good electrician help please?
Question:I'm going to fit a 2 gang IP66 switched waterproof socket to an external wall. I was going to drill a hole,fit conduit, & make a spur from the 2 gang socket that the washing machine & microwave in the kitchen are plugged into. I've been told by a friend that I can't do this as I must have an RCD socket fitted between the two. Neither he nor I know what RCD stands for. Can anyone tell me if he's correct, would I be breaking any laws by not fitting one, and what does RCD stand for. Any help would be much appreciated.
Answers:
you may not need to fit an RCD between the two if the circuit the socket you're taking a spur off is already fed via an RCD at the consumer unit. check there to see if you have a switch marked "test" which trips off when pressed. then see if the socket in question still works. if the power has gone off to this socket, then you can spur off without an additional RCD.
It stands for residual current device.
Residual Current Devices (RCD’s)
I'm knowledgeable with electrics, but not up to date on the regulations. However, what you propose is perfectly OK as regards safety etc, but fitting an RCD is certainly advisable, and I think it may be compulsory nowadays.
Still, it's no problem - just get an outside socket with an RCD built in. It'll fit the same as a plain vanilla one.
Residual Current Devices ...
If you live in the UK go to B & Q they do an outside socket (ip rated) already wired that comes complete with an RCD plug that you wire up once the cable as been fed through the wall.
I do beleave that this product complies with Part P regulations for a DIY person to install.
Check it out about £20 safe and legal!
To explain these RCD's. Works like this, you have your live and neutral. Logically, the current flowing 'down' the live must equal the current flowing 'up' the neutral. If there is an inbalance (like you creating a circuit to earth) then the device will trip the power. So, much safer for you.
Residual Current Devices
Residual Current Device.Check at your local DIY store for info about socket.I don,t think you need one by Law.But fit one if you any doubts,you will better with one than without.
if you live in a dwelling with ground floor door you must have rcd protection.this is basically extra sensitive protection in case you chop through a cable with a lawnmower or such like. you do not need to have an rcd in your fuse box, regulations dictate only one socket has to be protected.just fit an ip rated rcd socket outside.
RCD - as everyone else says - is residual circuit device. These used to be known as earth leakage trip. Basically it measures any imbalance between the currents flowing in the cables and if they exceed a certain level, it shuts off the power. They are available in different sensitivities, common ones are 30mA and 100mA. As you are planning to use the socket to power outdoor equipment, use the 30mA model.
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