AUTHORITIES say all Residual Current Devices (RCDs), or Safety Switches, should be regularly tested to prevent electrocution fatalities.
RCDs are commonly located on distribution boards to avert electrical accidents. However, if the switch takes too long to trip, workers could be subject to lethal shocks.
Australian Standards section 3760 concerns in-service safety inspection testing and tagging of electrical equipment. It outlines the regular procedures and intervals required to maintain the fast and safe operation the breakers.
One such method is the regular millisecond ‘trip-time test’ which checks whether the power is cut-off within a rapid timeframe.
The standards also detail push button tests which are performed in between the trip-time assessments. These prevent grime, dust and sand from building up and affecting the actual mechanism.
Safety officials claim the push button test is vital, as many RCDs jam in the ‘On’ position after a trip-time test. Exposure to large range of contaminants and debris are also common in certain environments, such as construction or mining.
Add a comment