What exactly is an RCD?
Let’s talk non-scientific electrical speak for a moment. As the local electrician in Harlow, we are here to help you make an informed decision on your home electrical system and its safety.
Your electrical trip switch box, consumer unit, fuse box, fuse board (all the same thing essentially) is the ‘brains’ or ‘control centre’ of your home's electrical system. It has a whole host of responsibilities from keeping the power up and running to protecting the electrical wires in your home from overload and preventing fires.
It carries out these responsibilities in part by the use of a variety of trip switches. One of these trip switches is the RCD switch. This device has the job of protecting against electric shocks so it is fairly important. Its full title is ‘Residual Current Device’.
This clever device monitors the electricity that is being used in your home and will detect when there is a potential electric shock occurring. In a matter of milli-seconds it will disconnect the electrical supply to any circuits that it thinks are giving a dangerous electrical shock.
Why do I need an RCD?
The RCD is a life saving device and has now been installed into home electrical systems for many decades. If you do not have one of these devices installed then its very important that you have one fitted!
Without an RCD, if a dangerous electrical fault occurs, there is a chance that your electrical system will not detect the presence of the fault and as such, electric shock could occur.
The RCD not only saves lives but can prevent cable damage, detect some types of electrical faults in appliances and water ingress into electrics in many cases.
I already have an RCD do I need a new one?
Whilst there are many RCD devices installed throughout our homes in the UK, many of these devices are now out of date, have not been professionally tested and may not work in the face of the modern electrical equipment that is now present in our homes.
If you have NO RCD or an older RCD, we strongly recommend that you have the devices checked and the newest type installed where necessary. Part of an Electrical Safety Check with JJB Electrical, involve the inspection and safety testing of any RCD devices to ensure that they are operating correctly and compatible with modern home electrical appliances.
As your local electrician in Harlow our primary concern is electrical safety in your home and where existing RCD devices have not been checked for many years, they may not operate as they should in the event of dangerous electrical situation.
Does an RCD mean a new Fuseboard or Consumer unit?
In many cases, installing an RCD will NOT mean that a new consumer unit installation is necessary. The more modern the consumer unit the more likely it is that we are able to source replacement parts that are compatible with the original equipment.
Where you have an old-style fuse box installed, it is likely that this will need replacement in order to install an RCD devices especially if there is not an RCD present at the moment.
There are some benefits to having a new consumer unit installed should it be necessary.
If your home is NOT protected by an RCD device then it is wise to have one installed. Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.
