A Grade Electricians

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are the technical name for Safety Switches.

Safety switch (RCD) These devices are installed in a switchboard by an Electrician for personal protection of the occupants.

The Safety switch monitors stray current and trips if an inbalance occurs, such as current flowing through a persons body.

This provides a high level of protection against electrocution, but be warned - they are not infallable.

 

It is still possible to be electrocuted with Safety Switches installed, but the risk is greatly reduced.

Safety Switches are fitted with a test button and should be tested regularily to ensure they are fully operational.

 

Circuit Breakers

Circuit breaker
Circuit breakers are often mistaken for Safety Switches, but they DO NOT offer any personal protection.

Circuit breakers protect the wiring, but unlike Safety switches, they will not trip if a person contacts live wiring.

Safety switches trip if fault current greater than 30 milliamperes (0.030 of one amp) is detected.
Circuit breakers trip if fault current is in the range of 20 amperes.

That is 600 times more current flowing through a circuit breaker before it trips.

There are various options to consider when installing Safety switches, such as individual circuit protection or multiple, nuisance tripping and overloads.

We are happy to discuss Safety switch installation with you, as it can be a confusing topic and would take many pages to explain fully here.

 

Disclaimer: the disclaimer class can be used for notes, terms and other little legal type things.