RCD Safety Switch Testing

What is an RCD Safety Switch?

Safety Switches or RCDs (Residual Current Devices)provide a quick power cut-off in problem situations. Electrical hazards are often hidden and may be difficult to spot, like a little hole in an extension lead or an influence board damaged internally. Electrical accidents occur in a moment and RCDs are the sole device that will protect you and your family from these hidden dangers and provide you a second chance.

Why are RCDs Important?

An RCD acts sort of a life-saving device by preventing dangerous electric currents and fatal electric shocks if there’s a leakage current. If your electrical appliance is faulty and your RCD doesn’t trip within the specified time, harmful and fatal injuries like electric shock can occur. Regular RCD safety switch testing can assist you avoid dangerous occurrences in your workplace.

How does an RCD safety switch work? 

An RCD Safety Switch protects by constantly monitoring the current flowing in the Active and Neutral wires supplying a circuit or an individual item of equipment. Under normal circumstances, the current flowing in the two wires is equal. When an earth leakage occurs due to a fault in the circuit or an accident with the equipment, an imbalance occurs and this is detected by the RCD, which automatically cuts off the power before injury or damage can result.

An RCD Safety Switch protects by constantly monitoring the present flow within the Active and Neutral wires supplying a circuit or a private item of kit. Under normal circumstances, the present flow within the two wires is equal. When an earth leakage occurs thanks to a fault within the circuit or an accident with the equipment, an imbalance occurs and this is often detected by the RCD, which automatically cuts off the facility before injury or damage may result.
RCD Safety Switches are extremely sensitive, disconnecting in under 20 milliseconds of detecting a leakage current. This stops the flow of electricity through someone’s body to earth. Importantly, this reaction time is far faster than the critical section of the cycle and thus significantly reduces the danger of death or serious injury. RCDs also protect against fire caused by faults in appliances, tools, and wiring. If these faults go undetected they might cause a fireplace or personal injury.