RCD Protection Legal Requirements

Most commercial sites these days have Residual Current Devices (RCDs) installed, however the RCD protection legal requirements are often not known and this often leaves managers or contractors left in the dark when it comes to any legal obligations surrounding RCDs and their requirements.

The Requirements

The obligation to have RCDs protection installed on sub-circuits is derived from Safe Work Australia where it states that RCD protection is required for all electrical equipment that is supplied via a socket outlet. This electrical equipment is defined to operate in normal conditions where it may be exposed to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust. So, most normal working conditions in a commercial, industrial or office space fall into this category, hence RCDs protection is required.

This requirement is supported through the Australian Standards where AS/NZS 3000 states that RCD protection must be provided for all socket outlets where the rated current of each socket outlet does not exceed 20A. RCD protection for lighting circuits is also required under the standard but there are a number of exceptions for lighting circuits that often deem RCD's not applicable.

An example where RCD protection is required - Circuits supplying socket outlets where any hand held equipment may be plugged in.

It is common practice however when replacing or upgrading a switchboard that RCDs be installed on all circuits regardless of power or lighting loads. The lighting circuit RCDs can then be replaced with circuit breakers, should nuisance tripping occur.

The Testing

If RCDs are installed then it is also a requirement that these RCDs be tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760:2001 where it states that regular testing is completed at 6 monthly and annual intervals, as per the following:

6 Monthly Testing - Pushbutton Test (manually operate the installed pushbutton)
Annual Testing - Pushbutton Test & Trip Time Testing (using a calibrated testing device)

It is then the building owners responsibility to maintain a copy of the testing results until the next subsequent test or until any faulty RCDs are replaced.

For more information surrounding the testing requirements see our other article - RCD Testing Requirements

The Legislation & Fines

The Work Health & Safety Act 2011 (WHS) documents that persons responsible for the operating and maintaining the workspace is responsible for firstly providing RCD protection on the nominated circuits and secondly to ensure that regular testing is being upheld and documented correctly. These fines are summarised below:

RCD Protection Installation

- Individual person(s) responsible - up to $6,000

- Body Corporate - up to $30,000

RCD Testing & Record Keeping

- Individual person(s) responsible - up to $3,600

- Body Corporate - up to $18,000