RCD TESTING PERTH: WHAT IS IT, WHO NEEDS IT AND HOW OFTEN?

What is an RCD (Residual Current Device)?

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a safety switch that protects people from electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. It continuously monitors current flow through a circuit and trips - cutting power almost instantly - if it detects an imbalance caused by electricity leaking through a person to ground.

RCDs are installed in switchboards and are standard in most modern electrical systems. However, simply having one installed is not enough. Like any safety device, it must be regularly tested to confirm it functions correctly when needed.

What Business’s Require RCD Testing in Perth & Who can Perform it?

IN Western Australia, the type of business can alter how often & what document legislates the testing. For the majority of business’s, RCD is required under the WHS Regulations 2022. specifically - Division 6, r. 165 Testing of residual current devices:

“A person with management or control of a workplace must take all reasonable steps to ensure that residual current devices used at the workplace are tested regularly by a competent person to ensure that the devices are operating effectively.”

The key word “Competent Person” is specifically defined within the regulations as;

“For inspection and testing of electrical equipment — means a person who has satisfactorily completed a competency-assessed training course on testing and tagging using the pass-fail type of electrical instrument known as a portable appliance tester.

Is Injection Testing Illegal in Western Australia?

In Western Australia, for routine in service RCD testing, injection testing is generally not accepted as a lawful method of testing for any person including licensed electricians. Removing escutcheon, accessing end of lighting circuits or opening a connected board places the work within WA’s “energised work” framework under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 focusing concerns around regulation 55.

Energy Safety has formally stated that removing switchboard escutcheons or accessing ceiling mounted luminaries for routine RCD testing is unnecessary, high risk and rarely justified.

Energy Safety & DEMIRS (Now LGIRS) statements on the above can be found below:

1. Energy Bulletin 78 (Click Here)

2. Electrical Focus issue 5 page 8 (Click Here)

Is Timed Testing a Requirement in Western Australia?

In Western Australia, for routine in service RCD testing, there is generally no requirement for business’s in any industry to obtain timed trip results for RCD’s. This is references multiple times throughout standard’s that become legally binding when references in acts/legislation associated to differing industries. The primary references are:

1.      AS3000/2018 - Electrical Installation Wiring Rules - 8.3.10

• “Operation of RCDs - The function of the RCD shall be verified either by the operation of the integral test device, or by the use of special test equipment.”   & “There is no requirement to test the operating time of RCDs. Operating time is a function of the type of RCD.”

2.      AS3019 - Electrical Installations - 4.2.2.6

“The correct operation of RCDs shall be tested by operation of the integral testing device

• (a) Operating the integral testing button;

• (b) Confirming that the RCD operates in the active conductor(s) of the circuit(s) to which it is connected, and in the neutral conductor where required; and

• (c) Resetting the RCD, then operating the integral test button a second time.”

3.    WHS Regulations 2022 – 165 Testing of residual current devices

“A person with management or control of a workplace must take all reasonable steps to ensure that residual current devices used at the workplace are tested regularly by a competent person to ensure that the devices are operating effectively”.

 The only way to legally obtain timed results in WA is to complete end of line (EOL) RCD testing at GPO’s. There is generally no legal method to obtain timed results of circuits connected to ceiling mounted luminaries which means that timed testing of lighting circuits in Western Australia is not generally possible to achieve.