RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICES (RCD’S) -- A Testing Problem -- Presentation by: Harvey Baldwyn (Queensland University of Technology) Adrian Mengede (University of Queensland) Acknowledgement to Assistance from Griffith University

First What is an RCD?What is an RCD?

INTRODUCTION Our Universities have installed RCDs in many areasOur Universities have installed RCDs in many areas WH&S legislative testing requirements are met by testing and taggingWH&S legislative testing requirements are met by testing and tagging Testing the RCDs as well imposes extra costsTesting the RCDs as well imposes extra costs

INTRODUCTION - ctd Extra costs in disruption to university activitiesExtra costs in disruption to university activities Extra costs in managing disruption to university activitiesExtra costs in managing disruption to university activities Extra costs in dollars for testing resourcesExtra costs in dollars for testing resources

Overview Brief overview of WH&S ActBrief overview of WH&S Act Brief overview of Electricity LegislationBrief overview of Electricity Legislation Open DiscussionOpen Discussion

Test – It’s the Law

Jurisdictional Comparison New South WalesNew South Wales Legislative Framework: – –Electricity Supply Act – –Electricity Safety Act 1945 – –Electricity Safety (Corrosion Protection) Regulation 1998 – –Electricity Safety (Equipment Efficiency) Regulation 1999 – –Electricity Supply (Safety Plans) Regulation 1997 – –State-owned Corporations Act – –Codes of Practice TasmaniaTasmania Legislative Framework – –Electricity Supply Act 1996 – –Electricity Industry Safety and Administration Act 1997; – –Electricity Industry Safety and Administration Regulations Victoria Legislative Framework: –Electrical Industry Acts (Amendment) Act 1998; –Electricity Safety Act 1998; –Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations; –Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations; –Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations; –Electricity Safety (Equipment) Regulations; –Electricity Safety (Equipment and Efficiency) Regulations; –Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations; –Electricity Safety (Management Schemes) Regulations; and –Electricity Safety (Electrical Appeals Board) Regulations.

QLD WH&S Act CLASS 1 – CONSTRUCTION WORKCLASS 1 – CONSTRUCTION WORK CLASS 2 – ASSEMBLY, FABRICATION, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, MANUFACTURING, REFURBISHMENT OR REPAIR WORKCLASS 2 – ASSEMBLY, FABRICATION, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, MANUFACTURING, REFURBISHMENT OR REPAIR WORK CLASS 3 – WORK THAT IS NOT CLASS 1, 2 OR 4CLASS 3 – WORK THAT IS NOT CLASS 1, 2 OR 4 CLASS 4 – OFFICE WORKCLASS 4 – OFFICE WORK

QLD WH&S Act & Interpretation The employer must ensure that specified electrical equipment is not used to perform class 3 or 4 work unless it is:The employer must ensure that specified electrical equipment is not used to perform class 3 or 4 work unless it is: –(a) inspected and tested by a competent person, OR –(b) connected to a type 1 or 2 residual current device at a switchboard, or a type 1 or 2 portable residual current device.

Our Interpretation Under the WH&S Act, for class 3 & 4 work if we test & tag we don’t have to have an RCD “the RCD may be considered a non-required device and therefore testing of it is not required in accordance with WH&S ACT, your honour”If we test and tag, and have an RCD, “the RCD may be considered a non-required device and therefore testing of it is not required in accordance with WH&S ACT, your honour” (but still may be under AS3000)

Testing Frequency & Compliance QLD WH&S ACT DENOTES TEST INTERVALS FOR CLASS 3 & 4 AS:QLD WH&S ACT DENOTES TEST INTERVALS FOR CLASS 3 & 4 AS: –(a) using its inbuilt test button- (i) immediately after it is connected; and(i) immediately after it is connected; and (ii) at least every 3 months; and(ii) at least every 3 months; and –(b) by a competent person at least every 2 years. THIS DIFFERS FROM AS3760 WHICH IS RECOMMENED BY AS3000 WHICH IS CALLED UP BY THE ELECTRICITY ACTTHIS DIFFERS FROM AS3760 WHICH IS RECOMMENED BY AS3000 WHICH IS CALLED UP BY THE ELECTRICITY ACT

The Electricity Act Requires all electrical installation work to be carried out in accordance with the wiring rules (AS3000)Requires all electrical installation work to be carried out in accordance with the wiring rules (AS3000)

The Electrical Safety Bill 2002 Compliments WH&S legislationCompliments WH&S legislation Electrical Safety Onus on designers and installersElectrical Safety Onus on designers and installers Electrical Safety Onus on Owners to properly maintain electrical installationsElectrical Safety Onus on Owners to properly maintain electrical installations AS 3000 is suggested as an appropriate guide to safe design and installation practicesAS 3000 is suggested as an appropriate guide to safe design and installation practices

Design AS Calls up RCDs for DomesticDomestic Residential Type AreasResidential Type Areas Areas of increased risk of electric shock from plug-in appliancesAreas of increased risk of electric shock from plug-in appliances Protection method for fixed wiring systemProtection method for fixed wiring system

Design

Maintenance The owner has an obligation to properly maintain electrical installationsThe owner has an obligation to properly maintain electrical installations AS 3760 – In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipmentAS 3760 – In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment

Ref: From AS/NZS 3760:2001

Push Button Test

Electrical Test Procedure

Electrical Test MAXIMUM TRIPPING TIMES RCD Type II A.C. RMS test current 30 mA Maximum tripping time 300 mS

Keeping of Results – AS/NZS Recording of results The results of the tests set out in Clause should be recorded and kept on the site or otherwise be available for audit. Information recorded should include— (a) the name of the person or company who performed the tests; (b) the test or retest date; (c) identification of each RCD tested; (d) identification of faulty RCDs and action taken to repair, replace or (where the presence of an RCD is optional) remove the item.

What Can We Do? What Options do we have ?What Options do we have ?

Scenarios Scenario 1: The university has no RCD’sThe university has no RCD’s Continue testing & taggingContinue testing & tagging But what about class 1 & 2 work?But what about class 1 & 2 work?

Scenarios cont…. Scenario 2: The university is entirely on RCD’sThe university is entirely on RCD’s –No testing & tagging is required other than for Class 1 & 2 work –Should appliances still be inspected occasionally? –What if an appliance is taken outside of the University environment –Who pays – facilities or the school?

Scenarios cont…. Scenario 3: The university has some RCD’sThe university has some RCD’s –Testing & tagging must continue across the entire site –An appliance cannot be guaranteed to remain where the RCD is installed.

Scenario 3 cont…. Class 1 & 2 WorkClass 1 & 2 Work –There is no alternative as both testing, tagging & RCD testing must be carried out

Scenario 3 Cont…. Class 3 & 4 WorkClass 3 & 4 Work –If the RCD’s are installed & we meet WH&S act compliance requirements by testing & tagging, then what testing regime is required for these RCD’s?

Scenario 3 Cont…. Class 3 & 4 WorkClass 3 & 4 Work –If the RCD’s were installed for AS 3000 reasons, then the recommended regime is (AS 3760).

A Solution Develop a Campus Wide Policy All “Specified” equipment is to be Test & Tagged to the guidelines of WH&SAll “Specified” equipment is to be Test & Tagged to the guidelines of WH&S All non Class 1 or 2 RCDs will be tested to AS3760 requirementsAll non Class 1 or 2 RCDs will be tested to AS3760 requirements Class 1 & 2 RCDs will be tested in accordance with WH&S act requirementsClass 1 & 2 RCDs will be tested in accordance with WH&S act requirements

Future Trends In QLD an electrical safety taskforce was conducted and has made several recommendations, including:In QLD an electrical safety taskforce was conducted and has made several recommendations, including: Stand alone electrical safety legislation be developed;Stand alone electrical safety legislation be developed; Workplaces have, as a minimum, electrical safety switches protecting all hand held or portable equipment supplied through electrical power outlets up to 20 amps.Workplaces have, as a minimum, electrical safety switches protecting all hand held or portable equipment supplied through electrical power outlets up to 20 amps.

Future Trends Electrical Safety Act 200?Electrical Safety Act 200? DomesticDomestic

Discussion

RCD Characteristics

Test Result Anomalies