Frequently Asked Questions – Residual Current Devices
What is a Residual Current Device (RCD)?
A residual current device (RCD) is an electrical safety device that helps to prevent
electrical injuries and fatalities. When using electrical equipment or power tools,
hazards such as damaged leads and cords, faulty wiring and dampness can lead to
serious electric shocks or electrocution. An RCD monitors the flow of electricity and
is designed to immediately switch the electricity off when electricity "leaking" to earth
is detected at a level harmful to a person using electrical equipment. An RCD offers
a high level of personal protection from electric shock, and also reduces the risk of
fire in your workplace.
There are three types of residual current devices:
Switchboard RCDs offer the most complete form of protection by monitoring the
circuits from the switchboard to electrical socket outlets and appliances. Switchboard
RCDs can only be installed by a licensed electrician.
Power point RCDs consist of RCD protection inbuilt into a fixed socket outlet to
provide protection to equipment plugged into the outlet. Power point RCDs can only
be installed by a licensed electrician.
Portable RCDs are plugged into a fixed socket and are suitable for monitoring
appliances in high-risk areas such as workshops, outdoor areas or damp locations.
They should be used where RCD protection is not already provided or is unknown.
RCDs are also known as safety switches or earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB).
What are the new laws regarding RCDs?
If you are an employer, self-employed person or a controller of premises you have
duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Residual Current
Devices) Regulation 2011, which was published on the 18th February 2011. The
NSW laws require that power circuits and specified electrical equipment is protected
by an RCD. A summary of the key legislative provisions are:
Clause 62A: Residual current devices – electrical outlet sockets
•
•
•
Employers must ensure outlet sockets on power circuits are protected by
residual current devices (RCDs)
RCDs, as far as reasonably practicable are to be incorporated before or as part
of the socket outlet
This legislative requirement will require NSW businesses in many older
workplaces to retro fit RCDs to their electrical installations. This requirement
does not commence until the 18 Feb 2015, which is after the National Model
Work, Health and Safety laws are expected to commence in NSW on the 1
January 2012.
Page 1 of 8
Clause 62B Residual current devices – electrical articles
•
•
Employers must ensure that certain electrical articles are protected by an RCD,
these include:
o Hand-held electrical articles
o Articles that are moved while in operation
o Articles that are moved between operations that could result in
damage to the article
o Articles used in construction work
o Articles used in a hostile operating environment
This legislative requirement will require NSW businesses to control these higher
electrical risk applications. In view of that a shorter transitional period has been
applied that commences on the 18 Feb 2012, which is after the National Model
Work Health and Safety laws are expected to commence in NSW on the 1
January 2012.
What action should I take to implement the NSW RCD laws in my
workplace?
During this year (2011), WorkCover recommends that planning and implementation
efforts are focused on achieving compliance with the requirements shown in Clause
62B of the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011. This requires the employer to
ensure an RCD is used to protect electrical articles used in the following higher
electrical risk situations:
o
o
o
o
o
Hand-held electrical articles
Articles that are moved while in operation
Articles that are moved between operations that could result in
damage to the article
Articles used in construction work
Articles used in a hostile operating environment
Note 1: The above requirements take effect on the 18th February 2012 for the OHS
Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 but are due to be replaced by the requirements
shown in the draft National Model Work Health and Safety Regulations, which are
due to commence on the 1 January 2012. WorkCover considers there will be no
change to these higher risk requirements that currently exist in QLD, SA, WA and the
NT.
Note 2: When the draft national laws are expected to be finalised in July 2011
WorkCover will be better able to advise NSW businesses on the final RCD legal
requirements. Currently the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 and the draft
National Model Work Health and Safety Regulations include a requirement for RCDs
to be incorporated as far as reasonably practicable before or as part of the socket
outlet. - This requirement will mean the retrofitting of RCDs in older workplaces.
Do the NSW RCD laws also apply to lighting circuits or to socket outlets
that may form part of a lighting circuit?
No, the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 only applies to socket outlets on
power circuits, however the Standard AS/NZS 3000 - Wiring Rules requires that all
power circuits and lighting circuits be protected by RCDs, this applies to all new
electrical installation work or major alterations carried out to existing electrical
installations.
Page 2 of 8
What is a hostile operating environment?
This is an operating environment at a place of work where an item of electrical
equipment is, in its normal use, subject to operating conditions that are likely to result
in damage to the item of equipment. This includes an operating environment that
may:
•
cause mechanical damage, or
•
expose the item of equipment to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive
substances or dust that is likely to result in damage to the item of equipment.
Do the NSW RCD laws apply to 415 volt three phase power circuits?
Yes, the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 also applies to electrical socket
outlets fitted to 415 volt three phase power circuits that are commonly used in
industrial type workplaces.
Clause 62B of the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 requires that
RCDS are used for specific types of electrical equipment or working
environments. What are some examples?
The following table provides examples of electrical equipment that is required to the
protected by an RCD. Note: This table should be used as a guide only.
Category of electrical equipment that
requires RCD protection
Examples of electrical equipment
Hand held electrical equipment
Hand held power tools, hairdryers, and
kitchen appliances.
Portable electrical equipment moved while in
operation
Floor polishers, vacuum cleaners, portable
lighting equipment.
Electrical equipment that is moved between
operations in such a manner that could
damage the flexible supply lead or equipment
Portable electronic whiteboards, overhead
projectors, electrical plant used in factory
type environments, welding machines,
extension cords, power boards.
Electrical equipment used for construction
work
Hand held power tools and appliances,
extension leads, portable lighting equipment,
electric powered concrete mixers and similar
electrical powered plant
Electrical equipment that is used in a hostile
operating environment where damage to
the equipment or the electricity supply to that
equipment could occur such as in wet or
dusty conditions. (Refer to FAQ, What is a
hostile operating environment)
Electrical equipment used in wet or dusty
areas, electrical equipment used outdoors, in
kitchens, laboratories (chemical damage) and
certain factory-type environments.
Page 3 of 8
Do the NSW RCD laws apply to a controller of premises in addition to an
employer?
Yes, Clause 62D of the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 places an
obligation on a controller of premises to ensure that residual current devices are used
to protect electrical power circuits. In addition Clause 62B of the Regulation requires
the employer (and controller of premises) to ensure that specified electrical
equipment is protected by a residual current device.
Who is responsible for the installation of fixed RCDs in a leased
building? The controller of premises or an employer who is leasing the
building?
The OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 places a dual responsibility on both an
employer and a controller of premises that is used as a place of work.
The issue of the controller of premises and employer/s located at the controllers
property would be a contractual arrangement that is specified in a contract or lease.
For example; a large shopping centre, individual employers located within the
shopping centre would have an RCD responsibility and the shopping centre owner
would have the primary RCD responsibility for the common areas used by the
employers and a secondary duty to ensure that employers in the leased premises
also comply with the legislative requirements.
It is important to note the particular arrangements apply only to the extent to which
the controller of the premises has control over matters or for which a contract or
lease specifies obligations.
Who can carry out the testing of an RCD?
Clause 62C of the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 requires that RCDs are
regularly tested by a competent person.
The testing of an RCD involves two types of tests; the first is a simple push button
test that can be carried out by a person that has been instructed on how to use the
built-in test push button. The second test involves testing the operational
performance of the RCD that measures the tripping time and tripping current.
This type of testing needs to be carried out by a person who is trained in the use of
an RCD tester. This could be a person that has been trained to use an RCD tester or
an electrically qualified person such as an electrician. For some test activities where
it may be necessary to access the supply distribution switchboard the testing could
only be carried out by a licensed electrician.
Further guidance on RCD testing methods can be found in the Standard AS/NZS
3760 In-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
Page 4 of 8
What is regular testing of an RCD?
The following table provides a summary of the recommended RCD testing
frequencies shown in Table 4 of the Standard AS/NZS 3760.
Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
Type of
environment and
/or equipment
Push-button test - by user
Operating time and push- button test
Portable RCD
Fixed RCD
Portable RCD
Fixed RCD
Daily, or before
every use,
whichever is the
longer
6 months
12 months
12 months
Environment where
the equipment or
supply flexible cord is
subject to flexing in
normal use OR is in
a hostile environment
3 months
6 months
12 months
12 months
Environment where
the equipment or
supply cord is NOT
subject to flexing in
normal use and is
NOT in a hostile
environment
3 months
6 months
2 years
2 years
6 months
6 months
2 years
2 years
N/A
6 months
N/A
N/A
N/A
1 month
3 months
Factories,
workshops,
manufacture,
fabrication, etc
Hotels, motels, halls
Daily, or before
Commercial cleaning
every use,
whichever is
the longer
Including push-button test by
hirer prior to hire
Hire equipment
Construction : Refer
Code - Electrical
practices for
Before
each use
3 months
construction work
Page 5 of 8
Do I need to record the results of RCD testing?
Yes, the owner of the RCD must keep records of RCD testing, except for the daily
push button testing of portable RCDs. The OHS Regulation requires that a record is
made and kept of all inspections, tests and maintenance carried out on electrical
equipment. The employer is to ensure that the following information is recorded in
relation to RCD testing,
(a) the name of the person who carried out the RCD test,
(b) the date on which or the dates over which, the RCD test was carried out,
(c) the result or outcome of the RCD test, and
(d) the date by which the next RCD test must be carried out.
The requirements for recording the results of RCD operational performance tests
carried out on construction sites can be found in the WorkCover Code of Practice Electrical practices for construction work.
Records can consist of documents, logbooks, asset registers or a computerised
database. They should be located conveniently so that managers, employees and
employee representatives can access the information.
WorkCover inspectors have the right to examine the records of employers, which are
required to be kept by the OHS Regulation.
How long should I keep RCD testing records?
Clause 62C of the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 requires that a record is
kept of each testing of an RCD until the next testing is carried out. Note: This does
not apply to the daily push button testing of a portable RCD.
Are there any training courses for RCD testing?
Training on how to use an RCD tester could be provided by in-house personnel, a
qualified electrician, the supplier of the RCD tester or by a registered training
organisation that provides specialist electrical training, for example TAFE provide a
four hour RCD Inspection and Training Course No: 23611.
Who can reset an RCD that has tripped?
In the event of an RCD tripping the cause of the trip should be assessed by a
competent person before reset. For example if a portable RCD has tripped an
inspection of the equipment plugged into it should be carried out by the equipment
user to check for obvious damage to the equipment or supply cord. For a fixed RCD
that is located at the distribution switchboard it should be reset by a competent
person following investigation of the cause or in some cases it may require a licensed
electrician to access the distribution switchboard.
Page 6 of 8
Do I have to install an individual RCD for each item of portable electrical
equipment?
No, the intention of Clause 62B of the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 is to
ensure that items of electrical equipment are protected by an RCD either by using
fixed RCDs located at the switchboard or in the socket outlet OR for portable type
electrical equipment by the use of either fixed or portable RCDs.
Do the NSW RCD laws extend to strata title owners?
Yes, the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 will apply to the owner’s
corporations of strata title, community title and company title schemes as “controllers
of premises” and any corporate entities of this nature will be subject to the new
obligations in respect of common property areas of the premises that provide access
to commercial use lots.
What is the definition of a socket outlet?
There is no definition of a socket outlet in the OHS Regulation 2001, however this is
a common electrical term that is defined in the Standard AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules
and means a device, arranged for fixing or suspension at a point and having contacts
intended for making a detachable connection with contacts of a plug. This includes
power points.
What are the NSW RCD laws based on?
The OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 is based on the RCD Regulations
4.7.21 and 4.7.22 contained in the draft National Model Work Health and Safety
Regulations, which are currently out for public comment and which close on the 4
April 2011.
Comments on the draft Regulations are to be made directly to Safe Work Australia as
part of the public comment process not to WorkCover. Refer to the link:
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Are there any transitional arrangements in the NSW RCD laws?
Yes, the transitional period for Clause 62A, OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation
2011 is 4 years and for Clause 62B the period is 12 months.
Note: The national legislation is expected to commence in each jurisdiction on the 1
January 2012 and will replace existing jurisdictional OHS legislation, including the
NSW OHS Act 2000, OHS Regulation 2001 and the recently published OHS
Amendment (Residual Current Devices) Regulation 2011.
Page 7 of 8
Is there an exclusion for the electricity supply industry and power
generators from the NSW RCD provisions?
Yes, however the exclusion that exists in Clause 62E of the OHS Amendment (RCD)
Regulation 2011 only applies to the activity of electricity generation or the
transmission and distribution of electricity to the public that is provided by an
electricity supply authority.
WorkCover will apply the residual current device requirements to the general day to
day activities of the electricity supply industry and the power stations the same as
other industrial sites. For example, construction work activity or work carried out in a
workshop or office environment of these two industry sectors.
What is WorkCover's position in relation to home care workers who go into
private residences to provide domestic care and support, which often involves
the use of electrical equipment? Do we expect the home care provider to
purchase a portable device for use in the homes?
Yes, because the home care worker uses handheld or portable electrical equipment
(vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, etc) that is owned by the client there is no obligation for
the client to supply a portable RCD or have their residence fitted with an RCD at the
main switchboard.
Therefore the home care provider must supply portable RCDs for use by their
employees to ensure their electrical safety.
Where can I get specialist information relating to the NSW RCD laws?
For specialist advice on the OHS Amendment (RCD) Regulation 2011 or the draft
National Model Work Health and Safety Regulations contact Ian Low, State
Coordinator – Electrical on telephone (02) 4321 5184.
Prepared by: State Coordinator – Electrical, Engineering Team - WorkCover NSW
END OF FAQS
Page 8 of 8