3 Lead RCD Test in the Consumer Unit on RCBO's Saving Time During the Live Testing's Process
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 พ.ค. 2024
- Student training aid for testing an RCBO rated at 30mA using a MFT Megger tester. Includes a full demonstration of how to test the RCBO using 3 leads from with the consumers unit.
Note my default position is always 3 lead testing as it’s my preferred method of testing for Earth Fault Loop impedance when RCD protection is present. 2 lead tests can also be carried out for both testing RCDs and circuit Impedance.
Student trading aid for testing for external earth fault loop impedance Ze test using a MFT Megger tester. Please note this test is carried out with only the external earth path in circuit. Includes a full demonstration of the test in a domestic single phase installation in the real world.
Student training aid for the live test measuring prospective fault current PFC using a MFT Megger tester. Includes a full demonstration of how to measure PFC current. This test is shown being done out in the real world.
Live tests carried out in the video are...
Safe isolation
Supply polarity
External earth fault loop impedance (Ze)
Prospective short circuit current test PSCC
Prospective earth fault current test PEFC
RCD tests
== 🕐 Time Stamps - Cut to the action 🕕 ==
00:00 - 3 lead RCD test
00:58 - Isolating the board pressing the test buttons on the RCBO's
01:55 - Proving the outgoing side of the consumer unit is isolated
03:00 - Supply polarity
04:06 - External earth fault loop impedance test (Ze)
04:54 - Using a torque screwdriver
05:20 - PFC testing PSSC and PEFC
06:16 - Breaking capacity's of the incoming fuse and the RCBO's
06:30 - Testing the RCBO's form the top of the device
09:36 - Stickers on the front of the consumer unit
Videos are training aids for City and Guilds (C and G) and EAL courses Level 1, 2, 3 plus AM2, AM2S and AM2E.
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Live tests carried out in the video are...
Safe isolation
Supply polarity
External earth fault loop impedance (Ze)
Prospective short circuit current test PSCC
Prospective earth fault current test PEFC
RCD tests
GSH Electrical good
when changing from (pefc)L-E to (pscc)L-L/L-N do the probes still stay in the + and - on the test instrument for this specific tester or do you move accordingly with the colours on the MFT
hi there thank you for the informative video! On 09:36 in the video, where did you get your test sheet from? can you provide a link, please? Thank you
You all probably dont give a shit but does anybody know a tool to log back into an instagram account?
I was dumb lost my login password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me
@Paul Jamir instablaster =)
Graham sound like he’s Gaz’ prisoner.
Very well explained. Clear as a bell.
😂👍🏻
Great video. Was nice to see other live tests as well as bonus code iformation to keep in mind toward my ongoing learning. and thank you for the suggested advice on RCBO/RCD testing at the board 👍🏻
Great video, fair play to Graham. Thanks for showing this kind of content
Great clarity in these videos. Thanks so much. Really interesting. Please keep making them.
Thanks guys. Doing my inspection soon and this was a great help. Keep it up
No need for 3 lead test. 2 lead.. Live and earth is all you need to do. It gives you a free hand to reset trip as well
Great job as always 👍🏼
Thanks Graham ... that was really useful 👍
Lovely bit of testing lads. Great to see. Yes I see a lot of people missing the supply polarity test. It been some help.
Hi. Thanks as always... also anther lovely video from you today 🙌.
Where is bs7671 does it say supply polarity is a live test? Genuine question, I can’t find it. Guidance note 3 shows polarity as the final dead test
Good work
I find the video materials to be utterly useful. One thing that would help students all levels is with the terminology and abriviations and acronyms, it's a good thing to use the acronym, but even more useful, if it is mentioned in full at least once so that we would all know what is meant when it's being introduced! Your work is really highly appreciated and most superlatively enjoyed. Thanks señor.
www.efixx.co.uk/Apprentice%20Hub/downloads
Checkout the Jargon Buster on my eFIXX website 👍
Great video very clear and easy respect for you Gaz
Hi. Thanks for the positive comment Gaz
With the megger tester , you can test Rcds /rcbos with just the 2 leads , in domestic properties I never use the 3 rd lead just keep the 2 leads in unless I’m proving the r1/rn r1/r2 readings on socket then use the plug lead that comes with tester
i was told to carry tests on individual tests...thank you for your advice ..
Class!!
Yes Sensei.
Thanks Grame
Wel done im was in a training room and watch you you test and learning a lesson from you and my Mentor
Thanks thats helps me to mofing on and test on the rigth way out of sans law
Great video guys good tip
Thank you Lads
Really useful kit by Kewtech, Lightmate Light Testing Kit, Kewcheck 103 Socket Tester, R2 Socket Test Adaptor,
Thanks 🙏
thanks for posting the video to help general awareness of trainee electricians. this video is obviously not meant for the general public who should be getting qualified sparks to do this kind of stuff. just to add a bit of information for apprentices; although guidance note 3 says you can do RCD testing (which includes RCBO's) at the board or a local socket, never any mention of doing it at any other connection point or lighting, an RCD test is effectively a bench test of the device and should not be done with its circuit cables or any other circuit cables under load. the correct way to test RCD's is turn all other circuits off so there is no possibility of currents induced by cables running near each other, remove the load side conductors so there is no load and then test the device, however the EWR says that the full test does not need to be done every time the installation is being inspected if there is a risk the disconnection of conductors could introduce a fault if they are not going to be tested again after re-connection. hence the test at a local socket. so in the video you correctly did the tests with all other circuits isolated and presumably made sure all connected loads were switched off during the testing so no load was present on the RCBO's under test.
I often come across old test schedules where there is only 1 or 2 RCD's protecting all circuits of a board where every circuit has a different RCD results value, this just shows whoever completed the schedule doesn't know what they are doing, if you have 2 RCD's in a modern 17th edition board, all circuits protected by the first RCD will have the same results for 1 x and 5 x column, as will the circuits protected by the 2nd RCD.
doing RCD testing at the board is not only the correct way to do it but as the video shows its also the quickest
just a final comment; the 18th edition has finally realised that users will not test RCD's every three months (and most sparks don't even tell them) so under the 18th edition the notice now says the RCD's RCBO's should be tested every 6 months. we now have the opportunity to associate the changing of summer time and winter time on our clocks etc with the need to test the RCD's. as we all know the reason for users testing RCD's isn't just to confirm that a mechanism designed to save lives works, it is also to lubricate the mechanism so it doesn't get sticky and not work when needed.
all the best to all qualified sparks and please stick to your quotes, don't let punters drive down prices by getting us to compete with each other. we are highly trained professionals and should charge accordingly
Hi thanks for your detailed comment... these videos are 100% not for Mr or Mrs DIY and form part of my training course. All the best GSH
Electrician precision at finest
good job
great video ? please let me know how should be tested the RCBO type B and type C ? thank you !
Great video guys thanks . Is this a MSB or a sub board? Is there a MEN link in the board? Also when disconnecting the 16mm main earth cable, would that be the one from the earth stake or up stream supply? Im assuming this is a sub board? Question from Down under AUZ where we use TNCS MEN system. cheers for showing me how to use my megger properly. Legends
Question:When testing polarity between the N&E conductors, you said that there's continuity due to a TNC-S earthing arrangement to the installation..
Is this a quick indicator to what earthing arrangement there is to that installation.. For example if there was no continuity then it will be either TT or TN-S (excluded the others from BS 7671)...
As always an informative video for learners!
Any reason in particular you chose a 3 lead test for the RCD testing? Have the same MFT and always use the 2 lead method as it free's up a hand!
Because if he'd done a 2 lead test, Gaz wouldn't have any buttons to press 😂
Nice to see someone who is as good as me at testing
Does this work also on Rcd’s found on split load boards? Say putting crocks on neutral and earths and going from lives with probe lead?
@6.30 you state that rather than going to the end of the circuit to test the RCD you can do it at the CCU. But I thought that you should where practicable test as close as possible to the load side of the RCD at the point of installation, and the loads should be disconnected during the test.
What is it you get a +12- flashing or constant when doing safe isolation? Or countuinity between E.N and E.L 230v? Thats what i like to hear
Great to see Jason Statham involved in Electrics
😂😂😂
Why do you need to turn off the other rcbosif you’re testing individual circuits? I need to test a few three phase boards and they each have a few rcboson them and I just want to test them at the board. But the boards contain other circuits which I don’t necessarily want to turn off.
Hi, for rcd testing can we put one lead on neutral bar and one lead on mcb to test that circuit? And also can we get ZS on cu as well for individual circuits ?? Plz let me know, thnx
The test leads..... aren't they the unfused Megger leads? Shouldn't they be fused leads, for live testing? Thanks for the brilliant videos GSH.
oh by the way great videos and love Efixx
Thanks Shaun for supporting both channels. Gaz 👍🏻
The symbol on the Megger was on AC not type A for an rcbo? Or can you get type ac rcbo's?
Lovely video. Just missed if it was PITR or not? The picture of the result sheet was not clear.
Thanks again
Hi. Thanks for the comment. All results conform to the requirements of BS7671. Keep watching and all the best GSH Electrical 👍
@@GSHElectrical whether it was PIR or EITC was my question. 10 year was the next inspection recommendation then it must be PIR! Then he said it was the date of installation. But I haven't seen the test results.
Best,
H
Hi thoughts are - How can you get the functional trip times in mili seconds from the board when it should include theR2 resistance at the zs point , which in turn creates a higher trip time> you may calculate the R2 but trip times are functional real time readings .
Testing the device not the circuit
Mem 2 pods wont test at board need to be at least 600mm away before tests will work so testing some rcbos cant be done at cu cheers
hi all I've just completed a weekend of board testing my question is we were unable to test the RCBO's at the board ?why in the end we had to remove both live and neutral and a short lead and then we were able to carry out the test I will add that all of the RCBO's were 30mA and C type. so even the electrician I was with could not answer this question. Shaun the apprentice
I was always told for RCD. 1/2 test, full test, 5x test then TEST BUTTON LAST and NOT first. I know the new RCD tests have changed and some have been dropped but is it now TEST button FIRST?
can this method be used in am2 assessment?
great stuff and always helpful. @5:40, Graham reads a small mistake the kΩ which should be kA, isn't it?
Hi. I am sure you are correct, I haven’t revisited the video yet as I am out. I edited the video using four different apps and I still missed this small verbal mistake. PFC as you quite rightly point out should be measured in Kiloamps or Amps. I will add this information to the description of the video. Thanks for watching and commentIng. GSH Electrical
Dennis Wu. Hi on the revisit of the video Graham says kilo Amps during the test which is correct. Thanks again for watching GSH Electrical
Did not expect your reply. very helpful videos, and waiting for more. thank you very much
It must be better to test the RCD/RCBO from a point in the circuit further down the line that the device is protecting?
You’re testing the device, not the circuit. So it doesn’t matter
Hi.you done this 3 lead rcbo test on the lighting circuit at the consumer unit with lights still connected but your other video shows testing with the lighting circuit disconnected from the rcbo WHY is this
Prefer to do RCD testing at the end of line but I can understand why it done at the consumer unit in certain circumstances, I wouldn't expect an electrician to keep reseting the RCBO/RCD when testing a third floor lighting circuit with the consumer unit on the ground floor.
They shouldn't be carried out at the end of the circuit as they are not a test of the circuit, but rather a test of the RCD. They should be conducted with all loads disconnected from the RCD so as not to influence the results. They should always be carried out at the terminals of the device itself.
@@richardwalsh5882 Where is this stated? I'm sure I've seen you make this comment else where.
Electricity at Work 1989, a statutory document (which BS7671 isn't) expresses the need to reduce risk and danger working close to live conductors where reasonably possible.
"The need to be near uninsulated live conductors
209
People at work are permitted to be near live conductors only if this is
reasonable in all the circumstances. If, for example, it would be reasonable for the
work to be carried out at a safe distance from the conductors then it would be
prohibited for that work to be done near the conductors."
The only live measurements you have to take inside a DB are Ze and PFC, RCD testing can be safely done at socket outlets (most of the time) and complies with EaW1989.
This is backed up by every annual visit I've had where they always insist on RCD testing done at socket outlets. By all means test how you'd like on your jobs but please don't encourage others to believe incorrect facts.
Richard is correct! Read Guidance note 3. You are testing the RCD not the circuit, you will have already proved the Disconnection times on the circuit when carrying out the earth fault loop impedance test.
The scheme do not write the regulations. A competent electrician should have no trouble testing safely!
@@pauldavies9709 What about light fitting? Also, GN3 shows RCD testing done at the consumer unit.
When testing polarity when the beep noise came on for neutral to cpc, did it beep because it’s combined and then separate earthing system? If it was TN-S it wouldn’t beep?
Because neutral to CPC is virtually a dead short in a TN-C-S system, it triggers this particular tester's continuity beep (which does not have to be selected as a mode - it is active at all times when it isn't measuring a voltage).
These continuity checkers may show a positive continuity even with resistances in the tens or even thousands of ohms, so a TN-S should also show 'continuity' and sound the audible tone when testing between N and CPC.
Some voltage proving units cycle through voltages, low to high then back to low and will end on a direct short - this is designed to test the continuity feature of this sort of voltage tester.
hello have you done the 18th edition. i want to do it but i think i should wait until january incase they change some regulations again
Hi. If you can follow SparkyNinja on Facebook and TH-cam he is giving free training 👍 also he is a top bloke. All the best Gaz
Hi. I would like to know how you carry out the RCD test on the test rigs with out tripping the Rcd for the on the college main board?
Sean Dempsey hi, if you have RCD’s in your college test board and an RCD on the feed to the college test board and they are both rated at say 30mA then your system lacks selectivity.Therefore when testing your circuits it’s pot luck which RCD with trip. Either use a time delay RCD (s type RCD) or remove the one feeding the testing rig. All the best. Gaz
Thanks by the way you do a great job you're videos are very informative and useful
I qualified back in the late 80s after doing C&g 236 parts 1&2
But sadly I can no longer work due to eal health but I do try to keep up to date with the regs and so on, so as to keep my brain active.
Thank you for the fab videos
There is a way to trip the RCD and not the one further upstream. I believe you put the earth lead on the neutral too. Don’t quote me, look at John award’s video on testing RCDs. It’s new to me too. The one upstream doesn’t see the imbalance but the one downstream does.
Would you still follow this rcd procedure today?
Surely if possible you disconnect main earth connected to MET, which is very unlikely that would be in the board for earth fault loop impedance
Why do you need 3 leads (L/N/PE) to test the RCD (RCCB or RCBO)? Here in Germany, Austria or Switzerland we only use L and PE for RCD Testing. For witch purpose so you need the N for RCD Testing?
Hi. We also can do a 2 lead test but as I like my learners to do 3 lead earth fault loop impedance test rather than 2 lead test I have stuck with 3 lead tests where possible. I hope you understand my learners are aware of the 2 lead test. During training I like to pair things down to remove confusion. Thanks for the questions and watching GSH Electrical 🙌
Thanks for answering my questions! Thank you for many many super videos.
Very interesting to see how similar electrical installations are through out Europe and on the other hand how different they are.
Does a load need to be present to do this test. I’m just starting out and did a test for a hot tub feed. The hot tub had not yet been delivered so I only tested from the board to the rotary isolator. It was just a 2 lead test but the RCD did not trip. Nothing at 1 or 5 x, nothing on a ramp test.
#freegraham
Hi what is the point of doing RCD tests at half times, one times, and five times, when it is only required to record the highest value on the test results?
This seems to me like a waste of time?
Also in another video you started something about having a second RCD down stream so you should be careful not to trip that as well?
But if you test the first one by probing line to neutral and then the third lead on the incoming neutral then only the RCD under test will trip
Firstly would like why to you put padlock when you working on your own?
Do you not think that it’s a bit over taken during testing, I mean it take long time to carry out the way how to do it.
Can u buy those stickers
i bought the wiha torque driver thinking i could use my existing draper expert bits in it, needless to say they are not compatible, expensive mistake
If an appliance isn't connected correctly testing the RCD in the consumer unit may not be an adequate test
When doing AM2 is torque NM specified ?
Adrian tyler if not ask the instructor 👍... you will be given a speciation
Just thought you should know that this will not work with the Memshield 2 RCD pods that convert MEM 2 MCBs to RCBOs. I tried this myself and thought the pods were faulty. Spoke to Memshield Technical and was informed that the tests will only work downstream of the unit.
yep good point
You should always do the functional test button last
Hi. That’s a great discussion point and one we have in the classroom as this is a teaching aid. Is this a drawback of doing the test in the consumer unit as the functional is preformed first? Or is it a more controlled environment to carry the test out at the dis-board (safer)? This way no need to remove covers and carry the test out up stream (safer)? Lots of talking points for my learners. Thanks for watching and commenting GSH Electrical
I got told this on an NICEIC inspection if the RCD/RCBO is sticking it will show up in the test by doing a factional test with the test button first you free it up and could stick again. This seems a valid point to me.
Hi gaz. With regards to the rcd test on the lighting rcbo circuit at the fuseboard. Would the same procedure work on a lighting mcb on a split board rcd
Hi, on a split load board with RCCB’s test at the RCCB’s with all loads (breakers) off. You can do a 3 lead test as shown or a 2 lead test RCD test 👍. Thanks Gaz
I knew Jason statham was a mechanic but never knew he was an electrician 😂
🤣🦾👍
Only doing a Zs at the board for a lighting circuit then surely wouldn’t tell u that the last point in the circuit is actually earthed ?
Since when did jason statham become a sparky? confused!
Why not just test from E/L E/N N/L saves all that messing? Also why do you have to prove on a proving unit when you are testing on a known live source?
He's over testing on the proving unit to get into his students heads to check and live. Any confusion over when he should or could test may cost a student his life.
A PFC test is not carried out between line and neutral, it’s between line and earth.
Line - Earth = PEFC.
Line - N = PSSC.
Those are the 2 potential fault currents, (PFC)
You record the highest
Hi, Not too sure why you are connecting the neutral to carry out a test on an RCD. The neutral has absolutely no effect on the testing of the RCD. Also to satisfy BS 7671:2018 only 0.5x & 5x test would be required. Cheers.
i agree i only use a two wire test from my 1721 and 1741
Should you not disconnect the loads from the RCBO/RCD before testing so you are testing against a set known current?
He had the load off in the installation but it’s probably easy to remove the circuit from the top of the RCBO before testing 👍🏻.
@@GSHElectrical Of course they were! (points to suspicious lead hanging in the same position from twin socket at beginning and end of video 😁). Definitely easier to do in the board than within the installation though, plus you know you won't have missed any hidden loads. Great videos - I've learnt a lot, and less filth than Mr David Savery!
😃👍🏻
if you get high pfc would you have to contact DNO?
Hi. Very unlikely to be above 6KA but if it was you could install 10KA MCB’s. Thanks for commenting and watching GSH Electrical
great thanks for your help :)
No need @@GSHElectrical as under Annex Zb there is a conditional rating of 16kA.
18th edition now only requires the highest reading of all the tests to be recorded for the RCD test.
th-cam.com/video/n0coQKHgi2k/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the message 👍
This is a serious question Gaz...and it’s a bit like proving dead you go the extra length for safety. If your not testing RCD trips at the sockets or lights can you be absolutely sure the RCD would trip if there was fault at the socket and light can there be extreme circumstances when a fault develops at the socket and light and the RCD does not trip. Extremely unlikely but the question is out there and ignoring the fact the RCD is faulty. I guess you cover yourself by putting in a limitation and saying that RCD tests were all done at the board.
Hi, RCD testing at the CU is not a limitation because the purpose of the test is to test the RCD itself, not the circuit it's connected to. The R1 + R2 and Zs tests prove that the circuit has sufficiently low L-E loop impedance to trip the over-current device (MCB) in the case of a fault and as the level of current required to trip the RCD is much lower it should always trip well within the time required. Hope that helps.
The test button on the device is not supposed to be pressed before you trip time test with the test meter, this would be an incorrect test method.
👍
In the US, 'megger' is pronounced 'meager', which means lacking in quality or power xD Sound like 'mega' to british and australians though, which is pretty much the opposite of that.
Interesting. Lost in translation discrepancies are always a potential for confusion. Like when I first discovered that in the US, a 'fanny' is not quite what I thought it was...
Surely the functionality test of the RCD test button should not be tested until after the RCD trip times tests are complete ??
I agree
You can't prove polarity at a tncs system with out a neon tester think about it
Clipped direct 😩
Once required torque is indicated, do not tighten again!!
Hi I hope this helps
th-cam.com/video/DGc4PAXHAyA/w-d-xo.html
Gaz 👍
nice man, you got to meet jason statham!
100%
Great to see Jason Stathams brother get in on the real money. None of wasting your life in Hollywood nonsense.
🤣👍🏻
Never rest your test equipment on top of a consumer unit, common mistake by the inexperienced.
Should blur his number out.
👨🦯
#freegraham
#freegraham