Residual Current Device

1. Residual Current Device (RCD) safety switch test Introduction RCD is a piece electrical equipment that monitors electrical circuits and switching off the electricity when a fault is detected and a provide protection from electrocution. RCD vary according to the nature of work RCD test applies only to working environment where plug-in of electrical equipment are in use. Reason for this test RCDs used should be tested regularly to make sure they are working effectively.

RCD testing ensures that the device will operate quickly should there be an electrical incident. This is also known as safety switch testing. Your RCD is designed to trip, or switch off all the power to that circuit. Procedures I. Plug a lamp into a power point and make sure it works and live it turned on II. Make sure that electricity is connected to the property and the main switch is in the on position, the lamp should be on III. Turn off all electrical equipment IV. Then push the RCD test button on each RCD. The RCD should operate. If not operating it must be checked by the electrical contactor V. Check now that the small lamp is off and check all the power points and lights do not work by plugging the small lamp into all power points and turn on the power points. VI. If the small lamp turns on the electrical contactor must correct the wiring. VII. When finished testing, turn the TCD back on and check that the lamp works when plugged into the power points Comments  

RCD tests should be carried out and documented every three months RCD testers usually have a test button that should be pressed to determine whether the switch is functional. If the power goes off, then the tester is still functional unless otherwise the electrician is summoned to perform necessary repairs

2. Live polarity test Reason for carrying out the test To verify polarity of supply authorities system. Procedure An approved voltage indicator shall be used or test lamp to GS38. Using the approved voltage indicator, one probe shall be placed on the incoming neutral, and the other on the incoming line conductor, on the main breaker. The indicator should show it is live. One probe shall now be placed on the CPC 3. Continuity of protective and bonding conductors test. Reason for the test. To check that all circuit protective conductors (green and yellow cables) are continuous and are present at every electrical accessory on the circuit. Also to check that the main earthing conductor and main bonding conductors are continuous and correctly connected. Procedure The line conductor is connected to the circuit protective conductor of the same circuit at the consumer unit and a measurement taken at all accessories on that circuit between line and circuit protective conductor. The highest measurement obtained is recorded on the test report. Test result is R1 + R2. The line conductor and neutral conductor are then connected and the above repeated to obtain R1 + Rn