"Andy Wade" wrote in message
...
Bob Watkinson wrote:

314-01-01 states that 'Every installation shall be divided into circuits
as necessary to

1) avoid danger in the event of a fault, and
2)facilitate safe operation, inspection, testing and maintenance.

The On Site Guide does not give specific reference to RCD's and this
reg either and indeed the subject has regularly come up for debate on
other forums.

Section 3.6.2 gives advice on the application of RCDs and cites 314-01-01
& -02. That seems to me to be fairly "specific."

erm, no I've just re read 3.6.2 and it doesn't mention 314-01-01 or 02.
Although I accept your version may be newer



What you have to consider is each installation and what is needed to
comply with the regs. For example in a large multifloor Victorian house
there would be considerable risk of a person falling down the stairs if
because of a fault on another circuit the RCD tripped. On the other hand
in a small ground floor office it is difficult to imagine how danger
could be caused by an RCD trip. In any case if emergency lighting were
used the problem again disappears. In short, the use in itself of a
single RCD does not necessarily breach 314-01-01.

True, but it does not necessarily comply either.

correct. It all depends on the application


My view is that 314-01-01 is primarily aimed at considerations for
overcurrent protection

It doesn't actually say that, though.

correct again. Though it is stio my view or interpretation if you like.


314-01-02 requires that other circuits remain energised when a circuit is
faulty. Again, I interpret this as for overcurrent protection. If you
interpret it as being for earth faults then you would not even be able to
use a split board, unless there were a separate rcd for each protected
circuit

"Circuit" doesn't necessarily mean "final circuit" (see definitions). The
arrangements feeding the supply to (say) the two halves of a split-load CU
are "circuits" so far as this reg. is concerned. The key words in
314-01-02 are in the final sentence "... and due account shall be taken of
the consequences of operation of any single protective device."

A sentance which like this whole issue is open to interpretation


Andy