Residual current devices
A residual current device or safety switch is an additional safety measure which offers a high level of personal protection to a person using electrical equipment. Residual current devices are designed to immediately switch off the electricity, within 10 to 50 milliseconds, when 'leaking' to earth is detected.
Portable electrical equipment, power tools and extension leads at a workplace must be protected against earth leakage by a residual current device that is installed at a permanent switchboard or in a fixed socket outlet.
If reasonably practicable, residual current devices must be used to protect workers using 'plug in' electrical equipment in 'hostile operating environments'.
A residual current device requirements also apply to operating environments where the electrical equipment:
- is moved between different locations in circumstances where damage to the equipment or to a flexible electricity supply cord is reasonably likely
- is frequently moved during normal use
- forms part of or is used in connection with an amusement device.
If it is reasonably practicable for a residual current device to be provided, the residual current device must have a tripping current that does not exceed 30 milliamps for socket outlets not exceeding 20 amps.
This requirement does not apply if the supply of electricity to the electrical equipment:
- does not exceed 50 volts alternating current
- is direct current
- is provided through an isolating transformer that provides at least and equivalent level of protection
- is provided from a non-earthed socket outlet supplied by an isolated winding portable generator that provides at least an equivalent level of protection.
Where provided for use in a workplace, residual current devices must be fit for purpose, maintained so as to be effective and tested regularly. The choice of appropriate residual current devices will depend on all relevant circumstances, including for example, the degree to which the person conducting a business or undertaking has management or control of the electrical installations at the workplace.
If residual current device requirements apply at a workplace all persons conducting a business or undertaking at the workplace have responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure compliance with the legal requirements.
At a shared workplace a person conducting a business or undertaking will usually have varying degrees of control over certain parts of the physical workplace, for example their ability to have non-portable residual current device installed at the switchboard.
In these circumstances all person conducting a business or undertaking with a shared responsibility at a workplace must consult and co-operate with each other to ensure compliance with the legal requirements.
Each person conducting a business or undertaking retains responsibility, for ensuring appropriate residual current device protection is provided, and must discharge their duty to the extent to which the person has the capacity to influence or control the matter, disregarding any attempts to 'contract out' of the duty.
A person conducting a business or undertaking with management or control of a workplace must take all reasonable steps to ensure that residual current device used at the workplace are tested regularly by a competent person to ensure the devices are working effectively.
A record of testing, other than daily push button tests, must be kept until the residual current device is next tested or disposed of.
A residual current device testing requirements apply to both portable and non-portable devices. Portable residual current device will also require testing as portable electrical equipment if used in a 'hostile operating environment'.
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