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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Can RCD FCU be used https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1349362495 Message started by Jonsey on Oct 4^th, 2012, 3:54pm

Title: Can RCD FCU be used
Post by Jonsey on Oct 4^th, 2012, 3:54pm

Hello

Newby here. I am in need a bit of advise, there is an external socket installed on the conservatory wall in our house, but there is no RCD protection. I have attached a pic of the diagram that shows the wiring (its not great I know).

Basically the conservatory is wired from the upstairs socket ring via an unswitched FCU @ 13A in the 3rd bedroom, which feeds the light via a switched FCU fused @ 13A and 2 double plugs, one which the outside socket is connected to. Could I replace the unswitched FCU with an RCD FCU, to offer RCD protection to the whole of the conservatory.

Also if it can be done I have read about Passive or Active ones

[gallery]Jonsey/1349362408.jpg[/gallery]

Any Help will be greatly appreciated

Title: Re: Can RCD FCU be used
Post by Lectrician on Oct 4^th, 2012, 6:45pm

Yes, you can do that.

An active RCD will trip itself off during a power failure where as a passive one will not.

I would fit a passive one.

Title: Re: Can RCD FCU be used
Post by Jonsey on Oct 5^th, 2012, 7:55am

Lectrician wrote on Oct 4^th, 2012, 6:45pm:

Yes, you can do that.

An active RCD will trip itself off during a power failure where as a passive one will not.

I would fit a passive one.

Hi Lectrician

Thank you for your reply, as the conservatory houses no major appliances like fridge or freezer, could an active one be used as im not to fussed about poping upstairs to reset if it ever trips due to power failure.

Regards

Dave

Title: Re: Can RCD FCU be used
Post by Lectrician on Oct 5^th, 2012, 8:44am

You can use either, it's just a convenience thing.

Title: Re: Can RCD FCU be used
Post by The_Trician on Oct 5^th, 2012, 1:00pm

Just a quick observation -
You really ought to have another separate fused connection unit fitted with a 3A or 5A fuse to provide overcurrent protection for the conservatory light too.

TT

Title: Re: Can RCD FCU be used
Post by Lectrician on Oct 5^th, 2012, 6:19pm

The_Trician wrote on Oct 5^th, 2012, 1:00pm:

Just a quick observation -
You really ought to have another separate fused connection unit fitted with a 3A or 5A fuse to provide overcurrent protection for the conservatory light too.

TT

Its a switched fused spur for the lights, although it does show a 13amp fuse - should be a 3 amp.