RCD Testing Made Easier…? ✔️

It it easier to test an RCD and in the case an RCBO from the top of the device with the circuit conductors removed…?

How to test an RCD made easy…

Removing loads before testing RCDs - unplugging items, switching off circuit and removing lamps etc made easy…

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[asamitchell]

I always test with them installed as because depending on the circuit I've found that you get different readings with the loads connected.
You only need to remove lamps and loading accessories when IR testing

[mohamedbaghdadi]

Thank you so much indeed Gary, you made electricity testing and inspection very easy.

[SultansKitchen]

Great tip Gary, thanks for sharing.👍🏼

[VNOMxVIPRZZ]

Gotta love the R2-D2 TEST
Bleep Bleep

[sam]

Perhaps I’m a bit behind the times, so please help to educate an old fool.
I would do a Zs reading at the end of line. Then, I would do the RCD test also at the end of line, to check that at the end of line, the time is still within limits. I would do this with all loads connected, as would be in the final installation as utilised by the end user who may be experiencing an Earth fault on that circuit at the furthest point. Please explain why you do it at the RCBO with all loads disconnected. Is there a reg you could quote in BS7671. Many thanks for the demo and a reply would be greatly appreciated.
Note: if the answer is just because you are testing the RCBO device and not the circuit, then can you please comment if my method is industry preferred “best practice”, or should I only be concerned with testing the device, regardless of the circuit it is intended to protect, which is as per your method demonstrated in this video.
Example: if measured at the RCBO the time at 5x was 32ms but at the end of line was 38ms, I would record 38 on the test sheet as the slower time. Is this technically correct, or good or bad practice, or just plain wrong? Thanks.

[michaelcostello]

Great video. This is another top tip. It always deepens our understanding by knowing different ways of achieving the same thing.

[montystelevision]

Lovely! I guess safe isolation took place at the start and the cables were reinstated with the right torque setting. Of course it was! It’s GSH.

[BakedTuber]

Why do you have to remove the loads? I often rcd from a nearby accessory. If it passes I'm happy. I don't care about absolute results. Seems to be a counter insentive to disconnect all loads for testing.

[michaelcostello]

My Robin KTS 1620 kept tripping the RCBO as soon as i connected the probe to the 230 volts . I needed to connect the live and neutral probes to the outlet of the RCBO for this convenient test to work with the earth probe on earth terminal..

[derekmorrison]

You are only testing the rcbo and not the overall installation in conjunction with the relevant rcbo.

[TheChipmunk]

I know it is a 'should not be' to have 2 RCDs in series... (due to the nuisance) but when it DOES occur, say on EICR's... a tip to test ONLY the one local to you, to get readings for THAT device... use the Neutral INCOMING to the device as the earth... tests the imbalance in the same way :) (then of course note as a c3 or potential c2 if it kills safety critical circuits)

[rossmurdoch]

This gives us an Isolated disconnection time purely related to the actual RCD device without testing the circuit it protects
Are we only testing the RCD or the whole circuit?

[theoriginaldjprism]

Great video ... Quick answer to robo testing 👍

[maheshpandya]

Hi Gary great video as usual . Just want to add one comment and that is you should disconnect the Neutral fly lead also for the particular RCBO under test.before you proceed with the testing.

[cezard]

Never tested like this, in real life there’s no time and sometimes they don’t even let us disconnect the cables from any breakers. Load on, test and go. Tested thousands and never had any problems.

[shot]

From Germany, I know exact the same breakers from Siemens

[jamiekent]

Isn’t this just the same as pressing the test button, the real test would be performing it at the furthest point of the circuit. To get the highest(slowest) disconnection time… 🥺

[markkennard]

Do you also test Earth loop impedance?

[paulsidebyrne]

Na never do this always do rcbo or rcd under load I don't think this is a tip I think it's stupid

[mustardcrumbles]

Are you not now expected to test rcds on load now due to the risk of dc load saturating the coil??
I have heard this but if you could confirm that would be great