RCD maintenance?

[Ingwe]

When we had our annual habitation service, one of the tests carried out was measuring the speed of the RCD cutting out (or on if that’s how it operates). The measured time (I don’t recall the specific time) was said to be too slow. The technician (and they really are technicians) switched the RCD several times measuring the response time each time and the readings improved in terms of the time time taken to operate.
I’ve read that one should operate the RCD every time you use hook-up. Is there any routine maintenance one should carry out to this item?

 

[Sandancers]

When we had our annual habitation service, one of the tests carried out was measuring the speed of the RCD cutting out (or on if that’s how it operates). The measured time (I don’t recall the specific time) was said to be too slow. The technician (and they really are technicians) switched the RCD several times measuring the response time each time and the readings improved in terms of the time time taken to operate.
I’ve read that one should operate the RCD every time you use hook-up. Is there any routine maintenance one should carry out to this item?

There is no routine maintenance that can be done. If it is failing a tripping speed test then it should be replaced with an identical one. I would ask the tester what type of rcd it is, what it's tripping time should be and what the actual time is.

I have never come across a rcd which tripped slower than it should. Not to say it could not happen tho.

 

[pappajohn]

When was the last time you looked in your consumer unit (fuse box) at home.
I reckon that answers your question
If the trip time exceeds 300ms for a type 2 or 40ms for a type 1 then it's time to renew.

 

[Jasz]

I have known old ones to be slow (rarely) and be OK after having been switched off and on a couple of times so it is possible.

 

[Odd-no-more]

We should all push the test button once a month to keep it working, but nobody does, including me. I still have my electrical tester and I do an insulation test and the RCD test before I start using it after the winter.

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[Ingwe]

We should all push the test button once a month to keep it working, but nobody does, including me

That’s what I was told. Couldn't see it in the manual however. The manual says to do it every time you go on hook-up.

 

[Odd-no-more]

That’s what I was told. Couldn't see it in the manual however. The manual says to do it every time you go on hook-up.

The once a month is for domestic the "every time" is a good idea for a Moho

 

[Sandancers]

That’s what I was told. Couldn't see it in the manual however. The manual says to do it every time you go on hook-up.

You could also check the polarity of the supply from the site hook-up, which is more likely to be reversed than your RCD to not work.

Back in the day I was involved with putting RCDs on portable generators. We were worried that the constant vibration would degrade the RCDs. We would run the gennys for days with several RCDs strapped to them then cause the RCDs to trip with the genny running. Never could we get an RCD to NOT work !

 

[Gaston aires]

I’m told RCDs are so quick you can stick you tongue across the terminals and not get a shock ? Maybe some Funsters can try out this theory and report back.
Phil

 

[Ingwe]

I’m told RCDs are so quick you can stick you tongue across the terminals and not get a shock ? Maybe some Funsters can try out this theory and report back.
Phil

……or not!

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[Ingwe]

What’s black and hangs from the ceiling? A bad electrician.

 

[Sandancers]

I’m told RCDs are so quick you can stick you tongue across the terminals and not get a shock ? Maybe some Funsters can try out this theory and report back.
Phil

Theoretically YES, the dis-connect time is less than the time taken to kill you.

We always preferred to use technical testers, just to look cool.

 

[St3v3]

Theoretically YES, the dis-connect time is less than the time taken to kill you.

We always preferred to use technical testers, just to look cool.

There is a difference between getting a shock and being killed. But yes, you'll still know you've touched a live never mind putting your tongue across L&N.