Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010

24 Electrically unsafe RCDs

(1)

This regulation applies to any standard low voltage RCD that is used in a situation where it is required, by these regulations or any standard, to be used.

(2)

A portable RCD designed or used to protect against electric shock (whether or not it is an RCD referred to in subclauses (3) to (6)) is deemed to be electrically unsafe if, on failure of the supply voltage, it does not do 1 of the following:

(a)

automatically open:

(b)

continue to provide protection.

(3)

An RCD used to protect against electric shock, and that is either installed as part of an installation or is a portable RCD, is deemed to be electrically unsafe if it has a rated residual current exceeding 30 milliamperes and—

(a)

it does not interrupt the current in all live conductors within—

(i)

300 milliseconds when passing its rated residual current; or

(ii)

40 milliseconds when passing 5 times its rated residual current; or

(b)

it interrupts the current in all live conductors when passing leakage current at or below half its rated residual current; or

(c)

it does not meet the limits specified in AS/NZS 3190.

(4)

An RCD installed as part of an installation for the protection of property is deemed to be electrically unsafe if—

(a)

it has a maximum operating time of—

(i)

more than 0.5 seconds at its rated residual current; or

(ii)

more than 0.15 seconds at 5 times its rated residual current; or

(b)

it has a rated residual current exceeding 300 milliamperes.

(5)

An RCD installed as part of an installation to protect against electric shock to patients during patient treatment is deemed to be electrically unsafe if—

(a)

it has a rated residual current exceeding 10 milliamperes; or

(b)

it has a rated residual current of 10 milliamperes or less but—

(i)

it does not interrupt the current in all live conductors within 40 milliseconds when passing its rated residual current and when passing 5 times its rated residual current; or

(ii)

it interrupts the current in all live conductors when passing leakage current at or below 45% of its rated residual current.

(6)

Where an RCD is required by AS/NZS 3000 to be installed to protect children from the risk of electric shock from direct contact, the RCD is deemed to be electrically unsafe if—

(a)

it has a rated residual current exceeding 10 milliamperes; or

(b)

it has a rated residual current of 10 milliamperes or less but—

(i)

it does not interrupt the current in all live conductors within—

(A)

300 milliseconds when passing its rated residual current; or

(B)

40 milliseconds when passing 5 times its rated residual current; or

(ii)

it interrupts the current in all live conductors when passing leakage current at or below half its rated residual current.

Compare: SR 1997/60 r 64

Regulation 24(3)(a): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(1) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(3)(b): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(2) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(4): substituted, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(3) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(5)(b)(i): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(4) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(5)(b)(ii): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(5) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(6): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(6) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(6)(b)(i): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(7) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).

Regulation 24(6)(b)(ii): amended, on 10 November 2011, by regulation 11(8) of the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/370).