Residual Current Device, Why are so many installations missing them?

Orrell Electrics NICEIC approved electricians based in Liverpool

We are emergency electricians and offer a 24 hour call out service.

Today I attended an property to quote for an installation of four outside sockets, from the time I had entered the front door and made it to the back of the house I had spotted several faults within the property. One of the biggest faults I spotted and made the customer aware of was no protective bonding conductor the water at the stopcock, in essence the metallic pipework of the property was not earthed which would be classed as a Code 1 on a electrical installation condition report.

The customer talked through his requirements and where he would like the sockets positioned. He wanted me to feed off a single socket in the living room and feed the sockets outside, the socket was very old and showing signs of ageing.

Next I asked the tenant to show me the consumer unit, the consumer unit was the old Wylex re-wireable fuses (BS3036 fuses to be exact).

The main incoming fuses were the old porcelain type with the neutral conductor fused, I explained to the tenant that he needed to speak to his supplier urgently to arrange for this to be upgraded.

I then explained to the tenant that a) he needed to upgrade the consumer unit and b) the proposed installation  of the outside sockets would need to be RCD protected as they are outside of the equipotential zone.

I provided the customer with some literature which I always carry with me from the electrical skills council explaining in layman's terms why we use RCD's, see the following link:

http://www.esc.org.uk/public/home-electrics/rcds-explained/#c1283

Sometime's I am baffled by how unaware people are at the dangers of the condition of the installations in which they live.

The following quote is from the above link:

RCD protection can save lives by protecting you and your family from fatal electric shock, and can provide some protection against fire.

Every year in the UK around 70 people die and 350,000 are injured as a result of electrical accidents at home.  A Government report also indicated that, each year, about 4,000 fires caused by electricity in homes might have been prevented if RCD protection had been fitted in the consumer unit.  Despite this, more than half of UK homes – that’s 13 million - don’t yet have any, or an adequate level of, such additional protection.

RCD protection is particularly important whilst using mains-powered electrical equipment outdoors, where there is an increased risk of electric shock.

42% of people have never had their electrics checked.

59% of people do not use qualified electricians when carrying out electrical work.

The statistics speak for themselves.

Sometimes I feel like I am fighting a losing battle when trying to explain to customers the dangers of their individual installations, there needs to be more information and education available to members of the public and that is what we as electricians face on a daily basis.

So in short if your electrical installation at your home or business is looking a little dated or you are thinking of installing an outside socket or water feature for example, please think about getting your consumer unit checked out, it could save your life.

If you need your electrical supply inspecting or you are thinking of installing outside sockets give Orrell Electrics in Liverpool a call, we will give you the facts and will not baffle you with technical terms.

Visit our website for more information: www.orrellelectrics.co.uk

Or give us a call on 07894 272875/0151 526 9998