Products > Test Equipment

Equipment to automate testing of RCD/RCCB/GFCI's?

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AVGresponding:

--- Quote from: themadhippy on January 06, 2023, 06:54:43 pm ---

--- Quote ---What is the point in testing an RCD/RCBO/GFCI before it's installed
--- End quote ---
Back covering,so when the onsite sparky says it dont work or the panel goes bang because someone read the drawings wrong the manufacturer can point to there pre delivery test sheet.

--- End quote ---

How is the panel going to go "bang"? It's a DB, mains in, mains out, and whether it's one or three phase, if a sparky wires that so wrong it goes bang, he's not a real sparky and he's off my site.

Electronic devices like modern RCD/RCBO/GFCI can test good then fail the next time they are used. I fail to see the efficiency of doing more than a visual inspection before sending out, however I can see why you would want to test returned items, in this apparent rental scenario (damage, repair levy etc).
I would suggest that the MTBF on a decent brand would be much longer than the likely service life due to physical damage in this scenario though.

Schneider do WiFi connectivity for their RCBOs now, they tried to sell it to us. You can remotely switch as well as monitor each circuit. Don't know how well it would fit your requirements, as I don't recall if it can monitor trip times, but since it's software controlled, potentially it could be a way to automate.

Probably the only way you're going to get a test rig exactly like you want is a custom/semi-custom build; I don't know of anyone making multichannel RCD testers, but I'm sure the likes of Schneider Electric, Crabtree, MK (Honeywell) etc would have them on their production lines.

mendip_discovery:
Some of my customers make fancy extension leads, some of them have RCD/GFI stuff on them and they test it before going out but I must admit I only see Hipot testers on the bench but they do have custom software for recording results.

I can see the point in testing stuff prior to going out the door. For event use the idea of a pretested board with just the various 32A, 16A, and 13A connectors coming off would solve some faffing. Less for the onsite Elf and safety person to flap about as the bodge artists (onsite electricians) haven't messed with it much.

Also, many industries now prefer not to have people typing stuff in. They trust the computer more than the person entering the data in.

themadhippy:

--- Quote --- It's a DB, mains in, mains out, and whether it's one or three phase,
--- End quote ---
And if its multiple inputs  ,including ups with bypass and generator going to multiple outputs,all interlinkable if you set the right combination of castle keys?

--- Quote --- For event use the idea of a pretested board with just the various 32A, 16A, and 13A connectors coming off would solve some faffing
--- End quote ---
nothing uncommon there,at least for reputable companys,davedouble decks on the other hand....however your still required under BS7909 to carry out onsite testing and inspection,

AVGresponding:

--- Quote from: themadhippy on January 07, 2023, 01:08:07 pm ---
--- Quote --- It's a DB, mains in, mains out, and whether it's one or three phase,
--- End quote ---
And if its multiple inputs  ,including ups with bypass and generator going to multiple outputs,all interlinkable if you set the right combination of castle keys?
--- End quote ---

We come back to the "if you don't know what you're doing, don't do it" rule. I accept not all sparkies understand this stuff. If it happens here I expect them to come and ask me, or someone else that knows what's what, and not just try to wing it.





--- Quote from: themadhippy on January 07, 2023, 01:08:07 pm ---
--- Quote --- For event use the idea of a pretested board with just the various 32A, 16A, and 13A connectors coming off would solve some faffing
--- End quote ---
nothing uncommon there,at least for reputable companys,davedouble decks on the other hand....however your still required under BS7909 to carry out onsite testing and inspection,

--- End quote ---

Exactly this!

Robert763:
If you have enough throughput of panels to warrant it a custom machine can be made. I've made such equipment. However the cost would likey be enough to train and employ soneone to do manual testing for a couple of years at least.

Robert G8RPI.

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