How to find out if your home or business has RCD protection and why you should consider upgrading if it doesn't.

To check if you have fixed RCD protection, go to your consumer unit and have a look to see if there is a device with a pushbutton marked ‘T’ or ‘Test’. This ‘test’ button is part of an RCD. If an RCD is fitted, there should also be a label on or near the consumer unit stating ‘test quarterly’.

If you do that's great! make sure any equipment vulnerable to being turned off is shutdown or turned off correctly and press the button. The switch should instantly drop to the OFF position. As long as this happens everything is working fine so push it back up and carry on with your day.

If you don't then you may want to find out what an RCD is and why you should consider upgrading your system.
An RCD, or residual current device, is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It can also provide some protection against electrical fires. RCDs offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide.

An RCD is a sensitive safety device that switches off electricity automatically if there is a fault. RCDs are designed to protect against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by earth faults. For example, if you cut through the cable when mowing the lawn and accidentally touched the exposed live wires or a faulty appliance overheats causing electric current to flow to earth.

So how does an RCD work?
An RCD constantly monitors the electric current flowing through one or more circuits it is used to protect. If it detects electricity flowing down an unintended path, such as through a person who has touched a live part, the RCD will switch the circuit off very quickly, significantly reducing the risk of death or serious injury.

In our opinion the best way to install RCD protection is to replace the old fuse box or consumer unit with a new modern metal 18th Edition board using RCBOs for individual circuit protection. This can be completed in less than a day and upon completion a full 'Electrical Installation Certificate' will be issued. Prices start from just £450 for an RCBO board installation. Call or message today for advice or a free quotation.

More information on different types of consumer units can be found here.