Do you know what Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are for?
According to a recent survey almost half of UK homeowners don’t know what RCDs do. Only 16% know whether their home has any.
During the summer we bring out our electric lawnmowers, gardening tools and other outdoor appliances. Worryingly, Electrical Safety First research found 96% of garden electrical products fail safety tests. This might be due to sub-standard plugs, counterfeit fuses or water penetration, for example. It’s certainly something to think about.
How RCDs save lives
RCDs work by monitoring the flow of current in a circuit's live conductors. If the current flow is imbalanced the RCD will trip to cut-off the electricity supply to the circuit almost instantly.
RCDs don’t limit voltage or current but provide protection by limiting the time a maximum current flows to earth. This helps to prevent electric shocks, fires and damage to property and equipment.
Fixed RCDs. Typically, your property’s fuse box or distribution board has fixed RCDs installed. These provide continuous protection for entire electrical circuits.
Socket outlet RCDs. Socket outlet RCDs provide protection for devices plugged into individual electrical sockets. They’re common in outdoor outlets to provide extra protection when you use your lawnmowers or power tools, for example.
It’s recommended you make sure your RCDs work properly with regular checks using the test button you’ll find on most devices. This should cause the RCD to trip, and you can then reset it. If it doesn’t trip, then call in a professional electrician to check for a possible fault.
If an RCD trips frequently, it’s a sign you have an electrical problem. This means your RCD has done its job and is protecting you from electrical risks. If you have faulty equipment, you should replace or repair it. If your electrical circuits are faulty, you should call in a professional as soon as possible.
Who knows their RCDs and who doesn’t
What’s worrying is people’s awareness of the importance of RCDs. Almost seven out of 10 people between 25 and 34 know what RCDs do. Even so, only around a third know whether their home has any. Just over half of people over 55 know about RCDs but less than 20% know if their property has them. Only around half of people living in privately rented accommodation know what an RCD is, compared to 60% of homeowners.
Please get in touch if you would like to check the safety of your electrical installations and wiring. The MSE team provides a full electrical inspection and testing service.
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