Safety in your home : Safety Switches / Residual Current Device (RCD)
Is your home electrically safe with professionally installed RCD's?
Almost 80% of the deaths by electrocution in WA in the last 20 years could have been prevented if Residual Current Devices (RCD) or safety switches were installed. Since 2009, new regulations mandate homes to have a minimum of two (2) residual current devices installed at the time ownership is transferred or when a rental lease is made. All properties constructed from the year 2000 should already have two RCDs fitted.
RCDs are a mandatory requirement for the protection of both socket outlet (power) circuits and lighting circuits. Having RCD's installed in your own home provides extra protection for you and your family and peace of mind.
RCDs are a mandatory requirement for the protection of both socket outlet (power) circuits and lighting circuits. Having RCD's installed in your own home provides extra protection for you and your family and peace of mind.
What is an RCD and how does it work?
An RCD is a device that immediately switches off the electricity when it detects leakage or flow of electricity to earth (or other fault path) ie. through a human body, for instance. This usually happens within 30 milli-seconds (0.03 seconds), much before electrocution can cause death. RCDs also prevent fire from faulty appliances by detecting electricity flowing to earth in electrical wiring and accessories.
When an R.C.D activates or trips there could be a number of reasons this has happened. If you have plugged an appliance into your power point i.e. a toaster or a kettle, and all of a sudden you find yourself ‘without power’… You will find that your Safety Switch has tripped. This is telling you that there is something wrong with that appliance. It may be something very minor but if left without repair or replacement it could lead to serious injury or electrocution. If this happens it should simply be a matter of unplugging your faulty appliance, throwing it away or getting it repaired and resetting your R.C.D.
The same applies to your light fittings. If you turn on a light switch and all of a sudden you find yourself in darkness, the tripped R.C.D has detected a fault in your light fitting. Turn off your light switch, reset your R.C.D and call JJSmith Electrical to come out to assess your problem.
When an R.C.D activates or trips there could be a number of reasons this has happened. If you have plugged an appliance into your power point i.e. a toaster or a kettle, and all of a sudden you find yourself ‘without power’… You will find that your Safety Switch has tripped. This is telling you that there is something wrong with that appliance. It may be something very minor but if left without repair or replacement it could lead to serious injury or electrocution. If this happens it should simply be a matter of unplugging your faulty appliance, throwing it away or getting it repaired and resetting your R.C.D.
The same applies to your light fittings. If you turn on a light switch and all of a sudden you find yourself in darkness, the tripped R.C.D has detected a fault in your light fitting. Turn off your light switch, reset your R.C.D and call JJSmith Electrical to come out to assess your problem.
A typical RCD will automatically switch off when a leakage of more than 30 milli-amperes (0.03 amperes) is detected. Under fault conditions, if you were to touch a faulty equipment and got a shock, the 30 milli-amperes will give you a shock. Normally, it shouldn't be enough to do any serious harm, but each circumstances are different.
Now, say if there was no RCD protecting the equipment, or more importantly -you, you could receive a shock in excess of 10 amperes - the typical smallest size residential circuit breaker. This could cause severe damage to you, possibly death. Studies have shown that even 500 milli amperes (o.5 Ampere) for 10 milli seconds (0.01 second) is enough to stop your heart.
If a child should jam a finger or a fork into a socket the R.C.D will detect an unexplained loss of current flow which the device recognises and an electric shock and will shut down the circuit (trip) in less than 0.03 seconds. Hopefully avoiding any serious injury or death. Unfortunately R.C.D’s cannot tell the difference between people and water. Therefore if there is some rain and some water gets in where it is not wanted i.e. behind a power point or into a light fitting, it will recognise that as an electrocution and it will also trip. In this case we recommend that you call us for advise or repairs.
If you or someone you know does accidentally get an electric shock, go to the hospital immediately. The shock may not have any immediate effects, but could cause heart problems later on. It is also mandatory to call Energy Safety on 6251 1900 or if after hours: 1800 678 198 to notify them of a faulty equipment or electrical work.
Is an RCD the same as a circuit breaker? Am I protected if I have a circuit breaker?
No. A circuit breaker protects the wiring by disconnecting supply when a higher level of current flow is dectected than can safely be carried by the cable. This is often not fast enough to prevent electrocution.
A circuit breaker and safety switch look somewhat similar, but the RCD is easily identifiable by the Test Button.
A circuit breaker and safety switch look somewhat similar, but the RCD is easily identifiable by the Test Button.
We have an RCD installed. Is it working properly?
It is recommended that once every 3 (three) months, press the test button on the RCD to see if it is working. This should immediately turn off the appliances connected to the powerpoints (and possibly lighting) that the RCD runs through. This also frees the RCD from sticking, and possibly failing when you need it the most. Electric clocks and timers will require resetting after each test.
JJSmith Electrical can test your safety switches for correct operation - to make sure they trip at 40 milli-amperes as well as in sufficient time. If the RCD does fail any of these tests, then it is recommended to replace them as soon a possible, before someone accidentally gets an electric shock.
Our electricians know about electrical safety and we are trained to know the safest way to carry out electrical work. It is important to have all electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician for legal and insurance reasons. O
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Call JJSmith Electrical on 0400 238 040 or email j.smith@jjsmithelectrical.com.au now to have your home made safe. After all, your house is your life.
JJSmith Electrical can test your safety switches for correct operation - to make sure they trip at 40 milli-amperes as well as in sufficient time. If the RCD does fail any of these tests, then it is recommended to replace them as soon a possible, before someone accidentally gets an electric shock.
Our electricians know about electrical safety and we are trained to know the safest way to carry out electrical work. It is important to have all electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician for legal and insurance reasons. O
n
Call JJSmith Electrical on 0400 238 040 or email j.smith@jjsmithelectrical.com.au now to have your home made safe. After all, your house is your life.
Selling or buying a property?
At least two RCDs must be fitted to protect all power points and lighting circuits before the land title is transferred. If you are planning to sell your home and it does not already have at least two RCDs protecting all power points and lighting circuits, you will need to engage a licensed electrical contractor to fit two RCDs to the main switchboard or distribution board.
Renting?
Landlords must arrange for at least two RCDs to be installed on the switchboard at their rental premises. If RCDs are not fitted then tenants should contact the managing agent or landlord and request that two RCDs be installed.
Number of RCDs
The regulations require two RCDs be installed on the main switchboard. In some cases, to reduce the number of circuits affected by the operation of any one RCD, homeowners may consider having more than two RCDs fitted.
In some cases it is recommended that you fit additional R.C.D’s to designated circuits such as spa’s and pool’s (which are also legally required to be protected) to avoid nuisance tripping. For example, it is not uncommon for a swimming pool to trip an R.C.D and if it is wired into your local power circuit you may frequently find yourself resetting your clocks and replacing food in a defrosted freezer. Whereas on its own you will just find your pump isn’t running until you reset your RCD.
In some cases it is recommended that you fit additional R.C.D’s to designated circuits such as spa’s and pool’s (which are also legally required to be protected) to avoid nuisance tripping. For example, it is not uncommon for a swimming pool to trip an R.C.D and if it is wired into your local power circuit you may frequently find yourself resetting your clocks and replacing food in a defrosted freezer. Whereas on its own you will just find your pump isn’t running until you reset your RCD.
Non-Compliance
Penalties of up to $15,000 for individuals and up to $100,000 for a body corporate may apply if the regulations are breached.
Our electricians know about electrical safety and we are trained to know the safest way to carry out electrical work. It is important to have all electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician for legal and insurance reasons. On
Call JJSmith Electrical on 0400 238 040 or email j.smith@jjsmithelectrical.com.au now to have your home made safe. After all, your house is your life.
Our electricians know about electrical safety and we are trained to know the safest way to carry out electrical work. It is important to have all electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician for legal and insurance reasons. On
Call JJSmith Electrical on 0400 238 040 or email j.smith@jjsmithelectrical.com.au now to have your home made safe. After all, your house is your life.
For more information about safety switches, read:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_shock
And from the department of Commerce website relating to RCD's:
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety/residual-current-devices-rcds-safety-switches
RCD rules
Note:
Parts of this page has been copied and pasted from the Department of Commerce website and is correct as of 29/10/2016. For more information, go to the Department of Commerce websites at:
https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety/residual-current-devices-rcds-safety-switches