Residual Current Device Testing and Safety

Residual Current Device offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide. Residual Current Devices, or RCDs. are safety switches that prevent people from getting electrocuted in homes and businesses. The device monitors the flow of electricity as it enters a property from the main distribution panel. A surge of electricity, or an imbalance of electrical power, can cause injury or death. If an imbalance in electricity is detected, the switch automatically cuts off the electricity. The installation of at least two RCD Safety Switches in a building allows the electrical circuits to be evenly divided. That increases safety two-fold by preventing electrocution, and allowing some lights and power to remain on in the building.

Residual Current Devices are designed to protect against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by earth faults. For example, if you cut through the cable when mowing the lawn and accidentally touched the exposed live wires or a faulty appliance overheats causing electric current to flow to earth. RCD’s are very sensitive and will activate within 10 to 30 milliseconds stopping the flow of electricity.

Types of Residual Current Devices (RCD)

There are various types of RCDs that can be used to make sure you are always as safe as possible.

Fixed RCDs

These are installed in the consumer unit (fuse box) and can provide protection to individual or groups of circuits. A fixed RCD provides the highest level of protection as it protects all the wiring and the sockets on a circuit, and any connected appliances.

Socket-Outlet RCDs

These are special socket-outlets with an RCD built into them which can be used in place of a standard socket-outlet. This type of RCD provides protection only to the person in contact with equipment, including its lead, plugged into the special socket-outlet.

Portable RCDs

These plug into any standard socket-outlet. An appliance can then be plugged into the RCD. They are useful when neither fixed nor socket-outlet RCDs are available but, as with socket-outlet RCDs, they provide protection only to the person in contact with the equipment, including its lead, plugged into the portable RCD. Portable RCDs are plugged into a fixed socket and are suitable for monitoring appliances in high-risk areas such as workshops, outdoor areas or damp locations. They should be used where RCD protection is not already provided or is unknown.

What RCD Testing Regulations Apply?

RCD Regulations UAE indicate that the company must have at least two residual current devices connected to the main switchboard. However, compliance regulations could vary based on the size of the building and the current flowing to each section of it. If regulations aren’t followed, the company could incur a fine of a decent amount.

Are RCDs Reliable?

We’ve found that fixed RCDs are about 97% reliable. This improves if they are tested regularly. If you have fixed RCD protection, it will reduce the risk of electric shock to you and your family. It can also protect your home against the risk of fire caused by faulty wiring or appliances.

Remember – Although RCD protection reduces the risk of death or injury from electric shock it does not reduce the need to be careful. Have your wiring checked at least once every 10 years to ensure the safety of you, your family and your home. If you find a fault with your wiring, or an appliance, stop using it immediately and contact a registered electrician.

Don’t forget to test – You should test all fixed and socket RCDs about every three months. Manufacturers recommend that portable RCDs are tested every time you use them.

How Often Should RCD Testing Occur?

RCD testing has to be completed every three months, and documented, to remain in compliance. There is a test button on the device that has to be pressed to determine if the switch is working correctly. It is working properly if the power goes off. If the power does not go off, an electrician has to be called to re-test the switch, repair it, or replace it. It is strongly recommended that all homeowners, even those not selling the property have the devices installed for safety. The cost of installing residual current devices is nominal, especially compared to the safety of family members. In order to remain compliant to the standard, you will need to comply with the above test intervals in the section above.

One of the most common problems that we see in our country is that everyone is busy and it’s very easy to miss these dates and not be compliant with the standards. We can help you by taking care of this responsibility for you. The Carelabs team will send reminders of your RCD renewal coming due, several weeks before the renewal is due, to ensure you are always compliant at your premises

How Much Will RCD Protection Cost?

A plug-in RCD can cost as little as 120 AED. A fixed RCD will cos.