If you are an Australian resident and own a business premises – maintaining electrical safety is then a mandatory requirement. Installation of RCD safety switches is one of the most important components of electrical safety and if you are not much aware of it, there are a few things that you better have a very good idea about like – RCD switches are also required to be tested after regular interval making sure that they are in correct working order. Moreover there are also some testing requirements available for you as a business owner – providing help for safety maintenance and compliance.

What is RCD

RCDs are Residual Current Devices are installed for the sake of personal protection and if an electric circuit is somehow affected, they do shut the power supply down and maintain safety. This device actually offers an extra level of protection from the ordinary circuit breakers and fuses those are commonly used. In simple words, primary function of RCD switches is to protect people from getting electrocuted and rcd testing is the way of ensuring that the switches are perfectly working.

RCD testing regulations to follow

If your business premise is considered as a high risk environment according to the regulations put in place by the Work Health and Safety Regulations – you need to have RCD witches installed and also get those regularly tested by licensed professional electricians. As a matter of fact all RCD related issues come under the responsibility and obligation of the business owner or the controller. Australian RCD regulations also require one to install and connect at least two of those devices to the main switch board. This is to ensure that even if one device is tripped and cut the power supply, some of the electrical appliances and light will still be working through the other device.

Why RCDs are important

As a safety device, RCD can effectively provide protection from injuries or even possible death from accidental electrical shocks. They can also prevent a number of workplace hazards like,

  • Fall from a high place or ladder when suddenly incapacitated by an accidental electrical shock.
  • Electrocution can result in serious burns, tissue damages and can even affect the heart of the electrocuted people. An RCD can actually prevent these things from happening.
  • Fire or explosions caused by electrical short circuit can be disastrous and result in huge losses. By ensuring that whenever there is circuit problem, the power supply will be automatically cut, you can actually protect your business and your workers from all fire hazards.
  • Residual current devices also protect your valuable electrical equipments and appliances from getting damaged due to current overflow.

If you consider the above mentioned situations and benefits you must have realized the importance of getting RCDs installed at your home or business premise to prevent a number of electricity related situations from occurring. This is also a legal requirement you must comply with and one thing you must never forget that all RCD testing or drone thermal inspections should be conducted by licensed professionals only.