A5(m)

Residual operating current settings for

RCDs and ELP devices

A5(m) Maximum Residual operating

Equipment
current settings (mA)
13 A switched-socket outlets 30
Water heaters 30
Kitchen fixed Appliances
30
(e.g. washing machine)
Domestic water pumps 30
Swimming pool pumps, or jacuzzi 30
Underwater lighting SELV only
General fixed lighting (except in
100
bathrooms and swimming pools)
Floodlighting 100 - 300
Window or split type air-conditioning 100
Air handling, a/c fan coils etc 100
Central or package a/c units 100 - 300
Irrigation pump 100
Electric Cooker 30
Industrial machines etc 100 - 300
Elevators, escalators, lifts 300 - 500
Neon signs 300
School areas (e.g. laboratory for
10
children)
LV main circuit breakers or
See Note 4
switchboards (Electricity Intake)

Note 1: where two values are indicated, the higher value is allowed only where the
equipment is not normally accessible to any person.

Note 2: all Final Circuits in a bathroom (including lighting, but excluding FCUs in
a ceiling void) must be provided with 30 mA RCD protection. See clause
9.3.2(a).

144 The Electricity Wiring Regulations (Third Edition)

A5(m) Continued...

Note 3: where a Circuit supplies more than one type of equipment, the lower value
must be used for RCD protection (e.g. a Circuit supplying bedroom lighting A5(m)
and bathroom lighting must be protected by a 30 mA RCD).

Note 4: the selection of ELP devices at main switchboards must take into account the
requirement for discrimination with downstream Protective Devices (clause
5.4.5 and 5.4.6). For small supplies (200A or less), a 300 mA RCD device may
be used, with time delay of 200 ms. For larger supplies (above 200A), Earth
Leakage Protection relays may be used in conjunction with MCCBs or ACBs
incorporating a trip unit (e.g. 1A, 3A, 5A with a suitable time delay to ensure
proper discrimination with downstream Protective Devices). Irrespective of
the Earth Leakage Protection provided at the main switchboard, the incomer
MCCB or ACB shall have short-circuit protection to ensure tripping within 400
ms taking into account the Earth Fault Loop Impedance.

The table opposite shows the required residual operating current values for RCDs and
other Earth Leakage Protection devices. These are intended to provide supplementary
protection of electric shock as well as protection against high resistance earth faults
which may not operate overcurrent devices and pose a risk of overheating or fire, see
Regulation 5.4.

All Final Circuits where Appliances may be used by any person must be provided
with Earth Leakage Protection. Earth Leakage Protection must also be provided at
the main Electricity Intake and subsequent Distribution Boards where necessary, see
Regulation 5.4.

The Electricity Wiring Regulations (Third Edition) 145