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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an RCD?

RCD, or Residual Current Device, differs from a fuse or MCB, in that it gives you extra additional protection needed on socket cicruits, outdoor equipment, or circuits in a shower/bathroom.

The 17th Edition of the Regulations requires all circuits to now be protected generally by an RCD.

What is Bonding & Why Do I Need It?

Bonding and earthing keeps your installation safe by providing pathways for fault currents to travel safely (in the event of a fault) and to trigger a protective device such as an RCD or MCB/fuse.

If there is little or no bonding, voltages can exist between metalwork such as a radiator and a basin tap!

Any new work will require bonding cables to be run where needed (visually from fusebox to water supply and gas supply) if they are not already there.

What is Supplementary Bonding?

Supplementary Equipotential Bonding would most likely be found in a shower room/bathroom, small green/yellow earth cables bonding pipework together. These were required in the previous editions of the Regulations, but not essential for 17th Edition installations.

What is the 18th Edition?

The 18th Edition is the latest update of the Electrical Wiring Regulations.

In essence, any new build or new work must comply to the 18th Edition. This may mean installing additional RCDs.

Do I Need to Change My Fusebox?

If you have an old type Wylex rewireable fuse box then it is likely that you have little or no RCD protection. (Bonding conductors may also be lacking).

The easiest and simplest way to improve your safety is to replace the fusebox with a Consumer Unit incorporating RCDs and MCBs.

There are other ways of giving your installation RCD protection without changing your fusebox, however it is not usually cost effective.

If My Electrics are not up to the 18th Edition, am I Still Safe?

Your installation may well not comply up to date to the 18th Edition, but may conform to the 16th, or 17th Edition, in which case, yes, your installation probably is safe.

So long as your sockets have an RCD and your bonding and earthing/supplementary bonding are present, there should be no reason for it to be unsafe.

Why not take advantage of our FREE HOME SAFETY CHECK to be on the safe side?