Contact Building and Energy
For licensing and technical enquiries
Contact us
Building and Energy general queries
Tel: 1300 489 099
Fax: (+618) 6251 1501
be.info@dmirs.wa.gov.au
To ensure that the RCDs fitted to your property perform correctly, they must be tested at regular intervals. Building and Energy recommends that each RCD be tested every three months.
To test your RCD press the ‘test’ button on the front of the device quickly and then release it. The button will only test the RCD if an electricity supply is connected.
Pressing the test button will simulate an earth leakage fault and indicates whether the device is operating correctly. When an RCD operates all power is lost to the equipment, power point or circuit protected by the RCD. To restore power simply move the “on/off” switch back to the “on” position. Electrical clocks and timing devices may have to be reset.
If the RCD fails to operate, a licensed electrical contractor must be engaged to test the RCD and replace it if necessary.
Follow these simple steps to ensure your RCDs are operating correctly:
Some electrical appliances and old wiring may have a normal small amount of earth leakage current which can trip an RCD.
Earth leakage increases with each additional electrical appliance plugged in, so a single meter box RCD protecting all household wiring is more likely to experience nuisance tripping.
If an RCD trips twice for no apparent reason, have your wiring and appliances tested by a licensed electrical contractor.
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