Why RCBO's are BETTER than RCD's | Thomas Nagy

[@d4sgroup]

You’d make a great teacher Tom!

[@haldo691]

Not sure about that the swearing would be an issue lol

[@coralbay00]

@@haldo691 be a less boring teacher though. Guaranteed pupils would soak up the info with a good down to earth individual throwing in the odd swear word 👌

[@Mike_5]

@@haldo691 Guess you have never done a College Course then?

[@titmando1199]

@@haldo691 my lecturer now for my 2391 course he's got a mouth on him and insults you quite often but it a funny way not an abusive way, being down to earth and teaching like that makes it much more easy to absorb his knowledge.

[@garymckeown4278]

Please, do NOT let him teach.

[@jamesashdown3280]

The new camera is sure good, great res and super quality pic! Nice work on the Lighting even got a back light in too! Great content as ever. Full respect

[@ZanderKaneUK]

Just me or is the camera wobbling up and down though ?

[@anthonybragg]

I am surprised that dual RCD boards are still being sold with AC RCD's

[@LinuxFuter]

I'm suprised they didn't ban instalation of AC RCD's like in Germany.

[@robswingler]

I agree that dual rcd aren’t the best but in a court of law you would show them page 36 - 37 of the on site guide which completely contradicts the 2 x regs you said and approves the use of dual rcd boards.

[@igorantczak3567]

Loving the constant uploads Tom, keep it up!

[@jaymitchell1181]

The willy on the notice board lol

[@brenttobin4755]

Good spot! Fair old todger it is too

[@smikers100]

Totally agree Tom, I wouldn't fit anything else than RCBO.

[@ryan543213]

In Australia every circuit has it own 30ma RCBO. Easy as to install and easy fault finds

[@farmingace1015]

the guy i work with does a bit of both he puts lights on rcbos and then puts the rest split across two rcd

[@billverdon2085]

Great video as always. Totally agree about RCBO's. Spent lot's of time investigating faults with dual RCD boards. Many people do not understand that there are different types of RCD too. Hope to see more of your outside commercial work. All the best from Bill

[@cjkokay]

I am amazed that UK has not regulated the AC type out. NZ has been type A for a very long time now and a max of 3 MCB downstream per RCD. I would prefer RCBO as it also has less space as we have to fit double pole version.

[@kittsdiy]

ah NZ also double pole MCB's ? Type AC is in Belgium already 10-20 years not allowed in new builts . But no limitation of the amount of MCB's after the RCD ..

[@coralbay00]

You and dave savoury are awesome sparks. So informative. Cleared up a few things in my struggles 🙌

[@robinhadley]

I bought a 7 way Fusebox board for my shed and Rcbos. Way overboard for what I need but it was cheap and I know whatever I put in the shed/workshop will be protected. I think it was only £120 for the lot.

[@cjselectrical]

Often RCD protection is not needed on EV charging circuits if there is RCD protection (usually 6mA) built into the unit itself. A type AC RCD won't trip because the DC current will actually freeze the RCD in place - that's how a no-trip Zs test works. Great video Tom, keep them coming 👍

[@richardbinnie]

As an old retired plumber I have no understanding what you are talking about BUT I really enjoy watching. Thanks for the excellent enjoyable and entertaining content. Good luck with everything you are doing.

[@thomasnagy]

Thanks pal, I really appreciate it!

[@anthonycavalliotis8736]

Did you ever install hot water systems?

[@roamingwithrej]

This is one of your best videos IMO (as a trainee electrician)! Please create more videos like this and you’ll be getting 👍🏽 on a regular basis from me and others I’m sure 😁

[@bertiebassett1972]

Haven’t fitted a split load in 8 years. Once I’ve explained the benefits of rcbos to a client they are totally on board especially the bonus of finding their own faults. I had a customer ring me up the other day saying they unplugged all their appliances like I trained them to and it was the kettle! They were so chuffed and pleased it didn’t cost themselves nothing😊 Now induction hobs are common type A’s will prove their worth as well as solar etc. Time to let go of split load boards, old tech 😊

[@alerighi]

To isolate faults you don't need RCBO. You just need one RCD and dual pole breakers (as is the standard on my country). Dual pole breakers are very cheap (basically the same price of a single pole), and to isolate the fault is simple: turn off all the breakers, turn on the RCD. If it trips, then it's the RCD fault. If it stays up, turn on the breakers one by one, when you find the one that trips it, you found the circuit that has the fault. It's so simple that my mother knows how to do that. Yes, when it trips you loose the power to the entire house. As you do in a power outage, or in my country if you exceed the amount of power that you can draw from the grid by your contract (yes, thanks smart electricity meters). If it trips 1 time at year it's a lot, and all the times that it did it was because I was doing stupid things like repairing stuff without an isolation transformer and accidentally made a short to ground. If the RCD trips it's always a fault, and the fault must be fixed, it shouldn't trip for nothing.

[@timg6850]

@@alerighi The point Tom is making here is all circuits that have an Earth wire (CPC ) will leak current, generally in the region of 1-5 ma each. This all adds up and can cause nuisance tripping as the RCD is protecting multiple circuits and is designed to trip at around 25 ma of leakage current . RCBO's get around this problem as it only protects one circuit and therefore you have "room" for 25 ma leakage on the circuit.

[@JasperJanssen]

@@timg6850 in the Netherlands, regs say max 4 circuits on one RCD. So a 14 circuit board would have to be a 4-RCD board. There’s no real need to go straight to 1 RCD per circuit just for that issue. That said in modernity the price differential is so small…

[@TheEulerID]

@@alerighi Not necessarily, as leakage currents can accumulate. You just found the one that took it over the threshold. With the increased use of modern electronics there is naturally more leakage current, and if there are, say, 10 circuits on a single RCD then it's more likely to trip. There are plenty of videos around of electricians having trouble diagnosing what is causing a trip on those RCD boards. They go round turning circuits on one by one and don't find the problem. Also, that mechanism doesn't work with intermittent faults. At least with an RCBO and it's intermittent, then you know which circuit it is. You do not get that with an RCD and many circuits. The only downside of RCBOs is they cost a bit more in the first place. However, factored over the life of the unit they are in, it's a very small cost and has a lot of benefit to the householder, and saves time and hence money in locating the problem. nb. the intermittent fault issue is not theoretical - it happened in my mother's house, where an intermittent fault was happening, and gradually getting worse. At least with RCBOs, we knew which circuit it was, and the problem was isolated to that.

[@RaithUK]

I only ever fit RCBO boards and with Type A rcd not AC and always chuck in the SPD as well. I simply wont fit type AC or a split-load boards unless there is a very specific requirement.

[@kristhox]

Another advantage with RCBO's is with lightning strike, there's a really small chance of it tripping unlike RCD's who are much more sensitive. In Norway we stopped installing RCD's for 10-12 years ago except for Type B RCD which is mandatory to install with EV's (regulated in 2014) Only when we install a wallcharger with DC filter (Easee Home charger) there's no need for type B RCD

[@brianwood5220]

Great argument Tom, but you have to work within the customers budget. I. like you; think RCBO's are the best. In fact the Wylex combined RCBO/Arc Fault Protection Devices are probably better again and combine that with a Surge Protection Unit and you've got the best money can buy. If i was having a board change and money was no object, i would go for the best money could buy.

[@stuartcraigon2003]

Why would you not, I mean you want to protect yourself, your home and your possessions right? Surely! 🤷‍♂️👏

[@leexgx]

At best it's £50-60 vs split box (splitting hairs over £60 when the installation of everything's going to be like £500 or more anyway to do the work)

[@darylsavage119]

As he makes the point, £50 is not enough of a price difference when your talking about this level of safety. As for the wylex AFDDs. Yes they're safer, if you know what their limitations are. As for their price? £160 EACH So you've a 10 way board that's now gona cost you the guts of £2k instead of £200 One of their main limitations? Your gona have to split all your rings and use them as radials now instead, meaning on a house with 10ways with 3 being rings you now need a 14way board and 3 more AFDDs putting your cost well over 2k

[@mk4electrical]

Great video, I personally avoid fitting dual rcd boards for same reasons you mentioned in video (present faults) no rcd prior. After explaining benefits to the client of type A rcbo's boards (future profing/safety) 95% of my clients go ahead with RCBO boards. Fusebox Type 2 SPD loaded whith RCBO's is my standard setup currently.

[@danelaw1902]

Many thanks for that, instructive and enjoyable. This gives me more confidence to discuss what I really want the electrician who will be swapping out my old (fuse-wire cartridge) fusebox with a consumer unit, to supply and fix. Although our house is not a large one, I feel happier with RCBO's-makes sense to me.

[@hillppari]

here i am still using those old school bottle glass fuses in my house and it works fine.

[@handyandy6050]

Well at least you've got an "overcurrent" protection device!

[@stephenokon284]

Enjoyed the video and you are so right. I’ve been installing RCBO boards as standard now with SPD as well for about 2 years. RCD split boards are the thing of the past as far as I am concerned and when I price jobs it’s for RCBO boards, I will not entertain the ‘cheap’ option.

[@jesseoconnell4369]

That opening shot with the black bucket truck and LED running lights behind you in the bright orange jacket looked so cool!!!

[@thomasnagy]

I’m glad someone noticed ;)

[@jesseoconnell4369]

@@thomasnagy couldn't help it, looks the job!

[@jesseoconnell4369]

@@thomasnagy Fantastic video, absolutely agree with RCBO argument, recommend it every time, worth every penny of the extra cash

[@PhilC184]

Good explanation. A single RCD board lead me to have to remotely get an electrician into our house while on holiday after damp and a nicked wire in the garage caused everything to trip out. She suggested and RCBO board to avoid the problem in future and I was happy to pay.

[@tflemming287]

Older kettles? How do modern kettles differ?

[@tceng9449]

I think there is a (slightly backwards) reason to occasionally use RCDs. That is where you've got a circuit that might trip an RCD but you wouldn't notice quickly and it would cause issues if off for a long period. In a similar vein to running the smoke alarms from a lighting circuit because you might turn the alarms off but you wouldn't want to lose the lights. Say you have a sewage processor on its own RCBO, it trips, you don't notice for a week, you've got a week's worth of poo that hasn't been dealt with. Or you've got a garage with freezer. Put that on a radial fed from an RCBO, it trips, no one notices for a few days, melted freezer. If those had also tripped the internet then you might have saved a bunch of smelly stuff. Short of having DBs that have some sort of alarm when a circuit trips, it can occasionally be advantageous to not keep a circuit to itself. Power or phase loss or alarms are a thing, however you have to get over the aversion to fitting non standard things on a DIN rail (which is standard practice in a lot of areas).

[@jdaley197931]

I think there is room for improvement in alarms or even wifi/bluetooth communication of a tripped RCBO. As Tom mentioned in the video, putting too many circuits on one rcd can lead to excessive dc currents preventing an AC RCD from tripping due to an AC fault.

[@tceng9449]

@@jdaley197931 I have built systems to send me alerts when power fails to things, including battery backups so they can tell me when the power to them fails. But like you say it's unusual. Most of the time at home it's obvious, but not always.

[@abcelectric]

Totally agree with you Tom. Been fitting Hager Type A RCBO boards for the last 2 years. Won't quote or fit a split load RCD board anymore as I don't think they're fit for purpose. As you say, if the client wants a split load board then I don't want that client

[@handyandy6050]

Preaching to the converted, Tom. Love RCBO boards. Quite simply, the faulty circuit will obviously (hopefully)! only take out the RCBO that supplies it. Minimal circuits go down in the house, fair chance most (or enough) lighting will stay on. Straight away, you can see which circuit has caused the trip, potentially leading you into the cause of the problem a bit quicker. With fault finding, trying to find that gitting appliance causing the trip, you are only tripping out the circuit concerned, not half, or all of the house. Recently, friend of mine had a nuisance trip. Always at about 3am. Driving him and missus potty. "Standard" board, one rcd protecting everything. Told him he would have to be very patient and methodical, and basically go into "Sherlock Holmes" mode. Eventually found the prob, a very ancient, tucked away old doorbell psu from previous owner, that hadn't been disconnected. Suggested if he could afford it, get a board upgrade, and all RCBOs. Moved into new house recently, upgraded a few things, put a new board in, all RCBOs. Nice compact board, smaller than old plastic board, even with more circuits! (Intruder alarm used to be spurred off upstairs lights on a 2.5mm cable! - presumably by an alarm engineer). Now on its own circuit. Lots of space to work inside the board, as I chose the "new" compact RCBOs. Love how, when Crabtree launched theirs, they said "same price as the larger ones". Also like them as they provide double pole switching, completely isolating the circuit. Great for testing, and also less nuisance tripping if you are working on an "isolated" circuit, and do the old trip out by accidentally touching the neutral or something like that. The RCBOs are all type Bs. You briefly mentioned surge protection, Tom. It seems to be the current "flavour of the moment". I know a lot of leccies have mixed views on it, and like you say, can also depend on where you are as to if there is a great need for it. There could be an argument that most domestic premises have managed without it for years, so why the compelling need for it now? My thoughts are that if you've got a suitable RCBO populated board, you've probably got a good amount of reasonable protection, certainly the most protection that has been afforded for years. (Think back to double pole rewireable fuses - a miracle if they were wired correctly with the correct fuse wire, or more likely a nail or tin foil in the place of fuse wire). Also another "flavour of the moment" seems to be AFDDs. Again, do you think they offer any realistic extra protection, particularly for domestic premises, or to be cynical, is it a way to just flog a bit more hardware for the consumer unit? I think John Ward has tried to do some "real life" (or as "real life" as possible) tests with AFDDs with some results that might question the claimed effectiveness of these devices. Would you do a chat with your thoughts on surge protection and AFDDs, particularly for domestic premises sometime, Tom? Also why has someone appeared to have drawn a "thingy" on the flipchart?

[@thomasnagy]

Thank you for your input Andy. It is nice to read up on experiences from other electricians :) That would make an interesting video to talk about surge protection and AFDDs :)

[@Jay-jr7ro]

Fantastic explanation Tom, really appreciate you and your teams effort that go into these videos. Even though I got my qualifications from college, I've found that content like this is worth its weight in gold. In years to come I can see you in more of a teachers role but if you fancy teaching sooner I'd love to pop down the unit with biscuits 😉 All the best....Postie Jay thats met you a few times 🤣

[@seymourbutts9717]

Here here

[@ahwongwk]

this has been a good video to explain what is a RCBO, make easy ... may be you can come out with a video series "Thomas Nagy Explain"..😀

[@harkamelrandhawa7125]

Much appreciated for your efforts in this video and shedding light on.

[@DingleyDell]

I completely agree with your sentiments; protect/isolate each circuit. But if power is lost, a property will be dark regardless of the fuse board contents. Would you be a proponent of battery backup emergency lighting?, it may save Betty in a power outage.

[@stuartcraigon2003]

I think at least 1 in every 4 downlights should be required to be emergency back up. I don't know what the lux or count level is in commercial but emergency lighting is legally required in commercial and public so why not res?

[@aquahits5674]

Keep teaching tom your good 👍

[@bluefell4134]

More of this type of content please

[@zumber2811]

Its all about price. Even council housing CU upgrades still only want Dual RCD board to comply with 18th Edition. They dont even want SPD installed despite it being mandatory nowadays.

[@michaelwebster6219]

I worked with a spark so know a few things. I qiuks pull stuff up with my houseing lady and cheap shoddy work with something. What could kill some 1 she looked at me like I was a mug and knew sod all she was a witch she disnt stay long after I made her look a fool

[@Mainly_Electrical]

Surge is not mandatory

[@stephenwabaxter]

This is where we must learn from Grenfell. The same high standard must apply in every property and we must never accept 2nd rate.

[@charliechristmas5147]

@@Mainly_Electrical absolutely.....good practice only at the moment

[@pwaelectricalltd29]

I just couldn’t imagine fitting anything less than RCBO’s now. We will see an increase in electronic equipment in houses, driving the requirement for A type’s. You certainly don’t want to be in a situation were type AC RCD’s are blinded by DC leakage. Offering Surge Protection and AFDD’s will also become far more prevalent.

[@tedgreen9006]

I’m learning more from you than my college teacher and on my last year in college (level 3) :/. Always open to an apprenticeship 😁👍

[@colinturner7363]

i fully concur with what your saying abour dual rcd boards against rcbo RCBO boards for me every day.

[@womagrid]

Owing to a small computer infestation, I had RCDs replaced with RCBOs years ago because cumulative earth leakage current was causing nuisance tripping. This will only get worse with more people working from home and the IOT.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Tom. Couldn’t have a better teacher than you matey 👍🏻

[@PhillipParr]

3 bed town house built 2013 - can confirm dual RCD board. Something else to add to my list!

[@simonleyland7492]

I have no idea how ended up here but I keep coming back. Not even in any trade but here we are

[@thomasnagy]

Well I’m glad you’re back Simon 💪🏽

[@e5Group]

Well done 👍 Technical Tom👍

[@alexsidorov8899]

I just stopped installing them all together on my rewires, but don't have any call backs on previous installs I done before. I guess it's all about how you install it. One job luckily I installed a RCBO board because an USB socket next to kettle was tripping kitchen sockets and it's only caused the kitchen sockets to trip.

[@Graeme566]

RIP Betty Crocker

[@connordines5080]

personally don't fit any installation suitable for Split load i always fit RCBO/SPD board as don't want fault taking out half the house

[@dougsaunders8109]

100% with you Tom. I had our board changed under v17 of the regs a few years ago. We have a fault on one of our circuits. Dual RCD board. Every time it trips we lose our lights. Given what I know know, I would have RCBO board fitted. At the time I had a separate garage board independent of the house because I go out into the empire of dirt and play with stuff. Trips often. Does not effect the house. Also I can turn off the house which then safe while any work is being done in the house. I still have power in the house via an extension and vice versa. Put it another way, why would you not have an RCBO board? Considering the % price of labour against the price of fuse board change how much are you saving?

[@stevelambert6689]

Your spot-on with your RCD comment. I had two fuse boards fitted when the property was rewired back in 1981. When the eldest came along in 1986 I fitted one RCD to supply these consumer unit's (quite expensive at the time). The problem I had being nearly every time the supply switched off and on in quick succession due to a fault in the area, the trip would go off as well and have to be reset. Finaly changed the set-up to one consumer unit last year with RCBO's. It's been tested a few times by external influences and everything still remains on.

[@jamieyoung4665]

It's weird that I knew this but didn't know this at the same time... in Australia we don't really see this problem, as only much older places are slapped onto a single rcd. In newer installations to be compliant we must have a 'maximum' of 3 circuits to an rcd and it must be split between lighting and power per rcd. So at a minimum in a new installation, your hws, ac, oven and hot plate ect. are on their own rcbo, but then you would have a couple rcds with power. power, light. (purely because of the price). I'm definitely going to remember this video if I'm ever fault finding in an older place! Thankyou for the video Tom!

[@leexgx]

Silly thing is 1 RCD and 3 mcbs the cost at that point it's not far off just buying 3 RCBOs

[@Craigcul]

Great Video, in South Africa we don't have such devices as RCBO's we only have RCD but here it is called an Earth leakage device I have never even seen Dual RCD boards here if something causes nuisance tripping it is just put just after the main switch without earth leakage protection.

[@leebutterworth7465]

Totally agree with your comments on the unsuitability of dual RCD on properties I’ve refused to install them for the last 15 years, if you spend the time go explain in plain English the difference between dual RCD and RCBO’s most people accept the idea of the RCBO boards and pay the extra for them. The big issue of dual RCD boards is then the previous electrician has install the upstairs and downstairs lighting circuits on the old Wylex board with rewireable fuses and has shared a neutral you can’t split the circuits on either of the RCD’s at least with RCBO’s you can keep them on one breaker because all the ring final circuits will be on separate RCBO’s meaning there’s always a lamp that can be used to illuminate their way downstairs

[@thedroneguy2024]

I've tickled your like button. I will be going for a STI test tomorrow :)

[@jakea3419]

Smiley face got a small winky lol 😂

[@brendanprice8787]

Great video as usual, good lesson, but who is the artist up on the right hand corner of the board, Keep up the good work 👍

[@ranbirsingh7666]

Fantastic Mr Nagy 👍👍. Need to to keep up with your videos 😁😁 I’ve Hit the usual 👍

[@thomasnagy]

Much appreciated

[@ranbirsingh7666]

@@thomasnagy : Got to book some time off today, as it’s a Monday and you be dropping another video 😁

[@jongurney]

Also, typically double pole on RCBOs so will disconnect the neutral too. :)

[@mintsauce563]

Best sparky content on KZbin ⚡💪

[@wrnrt]

wobbly cam.

[@channelejg5862]

Very good Tom indeed! Love how you got the LED running lights on the van in the background too👌🏻

[@nunika1975]

Nicely explained. My 30 year old safety switches will be replaced with RCBO after Xmas.

[@humphshumphs]

Have to say that was a brilliant explanation. Keep throwing this sort of video into the mix, and it will help so many people. Thanks.

[@0liver0verson9]

Betty Crocker must be sick of electricians messing about in her house?

[@thomasnagy]

She sure it 😂😂😂

[@stephenwabaxter]

@@thomasnagy Next thing she will be asking Tom to wire up her Christmas tree lights!

[@jblyon2]

Here in the US it's very uncommon to have an RCBO (known as GFCI here) in the electrical panel. They do sell them, but they're not common. Typically the GFCI protection is built into one of the sockets on the circuit with other protected outlets on the same circuit connected through the GFCI socket. This has advantages because not every socket on a circuit needs to be protected. For example, on one of the circuits in my kitchen there are 3 sockets. The first one is the refrigerator, the second is a GFCI socket, and the third is connected through the second socket. If a kitchen appliance trips the GFCI socket my fridge remains operational. Code requires sockets on kitchen counters, bathrooms, basements, garages, outside, etc. (basically anywhere water may be encountered) to be protected. What is common, at least in newer homes are AFCI breakers installed in the panel. In the UK I think these are referred to as RCBO with AFDD. These not only trip for current leakage but also detect arcing that can start a fire, but is not enough to trip overcurrent or leakage protection alone. Originally they were just required for bedrooms, but now they are required in basically any living space that doesn't fall under a requirement for GFCI protection. Dedicated lighting circuits, which in a lot of homes also power the hardwired smoke detectors, are not supposed to be GFCI or AFCI protected to prevent the wife snapping her neck falling down the stairs, much to the chagrin of many husbands.

[@millomweb]

Hmm. I've been in 2 places of work where I've had elec tingles off light switches. RCDs on lighting circuits would have possibly tripped. I've a strong suspicion both switches were Crabtree make.

[@kittsdiy]

yep .. here in Belgium it's not allowed in new builds to have any circuits ( sockets ) not protected by an RCD ... a 30mA RCD can save your life ..

[@stephendavies923]

Great work, great content and couldn't agree with you more Tom. If fitting new protection then why not do it right first time?

[@jamesfleming2683]

Great video - totally agree on using rcbos 👍 However, when the barrister asks me why I didn’t follow a particular reg from BS7671 I would point out that the blue book is not a legal requirement… just BS 😁😁

[@darkdepth1991]

Thank you for explaining Thomas !👍

[@thomasnagy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@metallitech]

So with an RCBO, how do you know if it tripped due to overcurrent or due to leakage? With a split rcd board you can tell which it is.

[@acelectricalsecurity]

I can't remember the last time I installed a twin RCD board, I would guess about 4 years ago, they out dated, and don't really comply with the regs anyway, because a fault on one circuit should not affect another circuit, which is what you get, I can't remember the reg number, but it's in the blue book of errors somewhere😂

[@andytap560]

Exactly they do not comply with separation

[@effervescence5664]

I hate dual RCD boards and stopped fitting them a few years ago. Lost count of the amount of home owners that have fitted USB sockets to every outlet in their houses and their dual RCD boards keep tripping due to leakage. They never 100% complied due to selectivity anyway and it's honestly time they were phased out.

[@Leonard_Smith]

Thanks for the clarification.

[@brightside0970]

I agree with what you say Tom, I rather fit rcbo’s I think you have to take each job on it’s own. What it boils down to is the price, an what the customer can afford

[@steve11211]

Totally agree, 1 RCD is better than no RCD, Dual RCD is better than 1 RCD, RCD for each circuit better than dual RCBO... But still better to get RCD protection. Often its a case of Dual RCD board or not being able to afford to change the board... The great thing with dual RCD boards is if you have a shared neutral at least you can put both lighting on one side, if the customer cant afford any more... I would rather fit a Hager dual RCD rather than a cheap rcbo. Don't buy Betty Crocker coming down the stairs with a hot cup of tea, even on an RCBO board, Betty Crocker puts on the stair lights, that RCBO trips and she stills fall down the stairs. Dual RCD still complies with 18th edition. I get Hager dual RCD, both 100A RCD type A. Also totally missed Type S RCD.

[@Blackf1ngers]

If you do social housing work you'll be aware that the majority of HAs now dictate that RCBOs are required on board changes, even in tiny flats. Go and work on massive houses in the sticks and you'll find boards with main switch RCDs everywhere!

[@ggbalze06]

Completely agree, iv stopped fitting split boards and only fit rcbos, in this market (cough bundy10) the extra £50-100 in materials is worth it in mine and the customers interest

[@stuartcraigon2003]

It's people like you Tom that get me into shit. I absolutely LOVE your content and the stuff I learn from it scares the absolute crap out of qualified people that I ask to quote for stuff! I had a plumber run a mile because of the knowledge I've gained from Pete Booth aka pb plumber today! It's hilarious how people react when you do research and know a reasonable amount about what your talking about. They genuinely think your a qualified trade or regulator inspector testing them or taking the piss out of them. I love these videos mate, your a legend!

[@thomasnagy]

Cheers pal! I'm glad you could take something away from this video!

[@stuartcraigon2003]

@@thomasnagy I take something from most of them, even if it is just the enjoyment of watching you work or shopping for groceries. I do get bored of seeing lots of EICR videos but because your on the tools less these days and cut boring crap like that out of some videos I watch every video to the end.

[@thomasnagy]

@@stuartcraigon2003 I am glad the videos are enjoyable to the end! Thank you for the support :)

[@Ressy66]

@16:05 LOL not in Australia mate, rcbo's are more costly than diamonds :)

[@jimbob6290]

I moved into a newbuilt 2 year ago. Just checked the box. Dual rcd :) its not a big house though. Only 2 beds

[@kittsdiy]

2:30 In Belgium you have to have 300mA Type A RCD at begin of the board . And then a second RCD30mA ( after 300ma ) for wet rooms ( bathroom/shower etc ) You can have multipe 300mA on the man tails ( not so common in consumer units ) I do like RCBO's like in UK .. over here they are crazy expensive double pole RCBO . big advantage is only de circuits that i leaking trips .. i usually put 1 300mA main RCD and then several 30mA RCD's with 5-6 RCB's on .. but yes if the leakage is bigger then 300mA the main trips ..

[@raymondfloyd9046]

These videos are very educational.

[@rowles13]

Excellent video.....

[@howardmonkman3707]

Great video Tom learnt a lot from it and I think ur right about rcbo is the way especially now that prices for them have come down a lot for them 👍👍

[@nooooola5335]

Great video

[@kevinbowden1155]

Great video, not a sparky but bloody love stuff like this

[@datsunruss]

Great explanation and reasoning 👍👍

[@TheEulerID]

I am not a fan of over-regulation, but in my view twin RCD CUs ought to be phased out and all RCBO units used (with the advantage that you get four more slots in the same space). The extra cost is insignificant over the lifetime of the units. When my parent's house has the old fuseboard replaced, then I insisted they put in RCBO CU (there wasn't actually room for an RCD one anyway). About 7 years later, one breaker started tripping intermittently and then, within a few days - fortunately - constantly. I went through the normal stuff of unplugging everything, but it became obvious it was a fixed wiring fault. So, as the other ring worked (left/right in the house not up/down), I was able to rig up a couple of extension leads so my mother could watch the telly, have a bedside light on etc. and came back and looked at it a couple of days later. That would have been a nightmare if it had been even half the house and all the lighting (my mother is 89). When I came back, then I found the fault; the work of the people who installed the conservatory 28 years ago. They'd broken into the ring main from a double socket as will as a fused spur for the light. But they'd stuffed three 2.5 mm^2 cables through a 20mm knockout hole in a metal backbox without a grommet (not that there was room). Over nearly 30 years it had cut its way through the PVC insulation and there was an earth/line fault. Prior to residual current device, this would probably have lasted a few weeks or months longer before breaking down enough to trip a 32A MCB and it might even have melted the double socket and certainly ruined the cable. In any event, the value of both residual current detection and the discrimination afforded by RCBOs proved their worth. Also, just because some building work was done nearly 30 years ago doesn't mean it won't cause electrical problems. nb. one thing not mentioned is how much easier it is to fault find with an RCBO installation. That's especially important with an intermittent fault.

[@davidpatterson1574]

Thanks Tom, excellent explanation

[@melike1984]

I tickled you to say thanks......👍

[@elco_os9355]

That is why in the Netherlands the regs state that there should me a maximum of 4 circuits behind a RCD in order to prevent nuicance tripping. It is common here to see boards with multiple rcd's. Also the regs recommend that you should divide your circuits in such a way that there is always some light in the vicinity when a circuit or rcd trips.

[@michaelgorman1359]

Large residential properties don’t lend themselves to the std U.K. wiring format template. It’s really S distribution board type approach. RCBO’s have been a god send.

[@tflemming287]

You are using the term ‘selectivity and discrimination’ incorrectly.

[@Richard1977]

In the Netherlands the maximum allowed number of circuits per single phase RCD is 4.

[@dannycrooks8462]

I'm not a sparky but even I understand how rcbos are better and it's only common sense loving these videos 👍🏻

[@AmauryJacquot]

I installed type F RCDs at home, designed for devices with switching power supplies, also less susceptible to things like thunder discharges. those are perfect for computers / freezers / (...) where you need to avoid tripping for no valid reason

[@connect4king]

Yay 4 Betty Crocker

[@steveb1856]

Why Betty Crocker? It’s a brand of instant cake mix in the USA!

[@andytap560]

Only arguement i have is id rather have rcd protection then wired fuses.not that ive fitted a rcd board in about two years.i do work for one wickes guy and they give set prices for board changes

[@robertsitch1415]

As a Canadian watching I find that electrical distribution is very different on the other side of the Atlantic. Instead of RCD for the whole house we just need arc fault protection on new living area branch circuits.

[@richardwalsh5882]

An RCBO is an RCD. RCD is a generic term - it does not simply mean an RCCB.

[@robertharvey9698]

Any ideas as to where you can get the mini /compact Crabtree Starbreaker RCBOs at a sensible price? They are about 3 times the figure you mentioned 😕

[@tony-yp6qk]

Another great video has always Thomas 👍

[@thomasnagy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnhoward2104]

Re EVCs, according to the EVC CoP, a type B RCD can be used, or a type A along with an RDC-DD, which can be separate devices in separate enclosures. Re single upfront RCDs , section 3.7.6 of GN1 suggests that while dangers and inconvenience re cct arrangements should be avoided, RCDs are not related to the cct definition in part 2. However, due consideration of factors should be undertaken when considering to fit a single RCD or split load or RCBO, but that single RCDs should not normally be installed at the origin. Re 531.3.2 and 536.4.1.4, you're misreading the requirements of those regs in the codebreakers book - the C2 / C3 applies to selectivity of RCD's "in series", not between ccts. Re SPDs in London (or anywhere else in the UK), while type 1's may not be needed because an installation has no LPS or no metal roof or no overhead lines supplying it, type 2's probably will be due to transient overvoltages from switching events, especially where expensive equipment's installed. Some may mention the CRL, but this only relates to type 1 SPDs (443.5), and only for installations not in the 443.4 categories, so will hardly, if ever, need to be used!