Residual Current Devices
A Residual Current Device (RCD) or safety switch is an electrical safety device designed to immediately switch the electricity off when electricity "leaking" to earth is detected at a level harmful to a person using electrical equipment. RCDs are designed to operate within 10 to 50 milliseconds. They also reduce the risk of fire by detecting electrical leakage to earth in electrical wiring and equipment.
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An RCD offers a high level of personal protection from electric shock. |
If you are using portable electrical equipment, power tools and extension leads at work you must be protected against earth leakage by an RCD that is installed at a permanent switchboard or in a fixed socket outlet. This is required under the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996.
Residual Current Devices significantly reduce the severity of electric shock, but will not protect you against all electric shock. For example, contact with both the active and neutral conductors causes electric current to flow through the body which will not be detected by the RCD unless there is also a current flow to earth.
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RCDs are an addition to safety measures, not a substitute for them and they should be regularly tested and maintained. |
