AFDD INSTALLATION IN A CONSUMER UNIT - HOW TO and THE BASICS
We are sometimes asked about installing AFDDs into domestic consumer units.
Whilst there is no legislation making this obligatory at the moment, it may only be a matter of time before the Building Regulations require AFDD protection for all new builds and consumer unit changes,
These devices are without doubt beneficial to the overall safety of an installation but their current high prices mean that there is a relatively slow voluntary uptake, but this may change if prices fall.
In this video we will show you the basics of AFDD installation into a new consumer unit and into an existing board as a retro-fit.
It is not a difficult task, and, if you follow a logical method, it really is very simple.
This video is No.128 on our KZhead channel where we have videos on a wide range of electrical topics.
To see a full list of all our LearnElectrics videos, click on the link below.
/ @learnelectrics4402
You can also view all our videos by typing LearnElectrics all one word into the KZhead search bar.
Always work safely, electricity can be dangerous. If you are unsure, stop and seek advice.
This video is provided for guidance only. Every electrical situation is different, please check and ensure that you are applying this learning information to your own individual circumstances correctly and safely. If in doubt, stop and seek competent advice.
This is one of my greatest channel to learn and brush up my skills. Thank you for producing more great videos👍👍.
Happy that you find it useful. Thanks for watching. Dave.
Fantastic insight as always. Thank you for taking your time out to upload this! 👍🏾
Thank you, thanks for watching, Dave.
More like this please
Lots more planned, thanks for watching.
Great video once again. I got the idea from NAPITs Webinar on the amendment 2 that it'll be that AFDD's will be required in most residential premises where possible danger to life is present. Basically everywhere. Going to be interesting to see what happens after the 28th and wether theres a "cooling off period". Selling a £1k consumer unit to a customer when there's cowboys everywhere still offering BG split loads for £150 is going to be a challenge
It's all topsy turvey at the moment David. Lot's of guessing going on and I guess lots of pressure selling before the deadline is reached.
Very nicely explained. AFDDs are really only manufactured by a few of the larger brands at the moment, so they are quite a price. A lot of the faults they protect against are due to poor installation, poor or lack of periodic maintenance. Having seen some of the test videos on them, they do not seem to be that reliable, or require quite a lot of energy to trip them. I am not convinced yet that they are justified on the majority of low voltage installations, especially domestic side. Being sold as a safety improvement though, I have no doubt they will become mandatory in the future without the real justification for the improvements they offer.
Exactly my thoughts too. Thanks.
Very educative video
Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for watching.
Great video once again👍🏻
Thank you, thanks for the support and feedback.
Great video thank you so much
Glad you enjoyed it Saam, thanks for watching.
Brilliant
Excellent feedback, thanks for the support. Dave.
Top notch teaching 👍
That's what we like to hear, thanks Josh.
@@learnelectrics4402 do you have a video on the use of a clean earth?
Great video. Could you make a video on data cables such as cat 5, cat6 etc?
Thanks for watching. That is something that we could consider for the future. Thanks for asking.
Hi Dave great videos, I'm not an electrician, can you carry out a Zs tests on sockets with combined usb ports or appliances plugged in and on or light bulbs plugged in on a lighting circuit please ?
A Zs test will not be affected by what else is happening in the circuit. Hope this helps.
1, Excellent, Explain very simple way and to the points. Can you do video on consumer units with all devices and PROS AND CONS and cost. 2, Recommendation to install AFDD and SPD. when to install and cost. AFDD cost Pound 100. costly. Can we we install only for sockets in Cost of DB. 3, Pros and cons of installation of 2 RCCB in DB and RCBO in each circuit. Prefer to install with RCBO for each circuit. If 2 RCD trips in DB then you will lose complete power. Any one trip in house and may cause accidents. Cost wise? Highly prefer in school, senior citizen house and etc. Can you do video
thanks for the comments, much appreciated. Costings of materials and work will depend very much on individual circumstances. Thanks for watching. Dave.
AFDDs are *mandatory* on _socket circuits_ in blocks of flats 6 floors and over, care homes, etc. They are _recommended_ in all socket circuits in all installations.
Brilliant info John. Thanks for the update and support and thank you for watching. Dave.
When you put it on the certificate like a minor works for example, do you just put BS EN 62606 in the overload and rcd sections or would you still put 61009-1 to indicate an RCBO then just tick the AFDD test button pressed box? Thanks
Have a look at this video on MWC. Thanks. Dave. kzhead.info/sun/hM-ofKWZqJyiink/bejne.html
these would wreak havoc in old houses with old wiring, they'd be pulling their hair out LOL
I think you're right on that one.
I have a 40A RCD connected to 2 X 20A MCBs each connected to a socket circuit. To save money I was going to replace the RCD with a single 40A AFDD. Is this OK OR will leaving the MCBs in place downstream affect the AFDD's functionality?
You need the RCD left in place for additional protection. Alternatively, if you remove the RCD, replace all the affected MCBs with RCBOs.
@@learnelectrics4402 Why do I need to leave the RCD in place since the AFDD also includes RCD functionality? My main concerns are: 1) Does swapping the RCD for an AFDD comply with the "...must be at the origin of the circuit." rule even thought the MCBs are downstream? 2) Will having the AFDD upstream from MCBs impair it's ability to detect arcs? (I wouldn't think so since it's algorithm is just pattern matching waveforms with known arc waveforms in its database and the MCB to the best of my knowledge "shouldn't" change these waveforms).
remember that afdd breaker load circuit is connected in the bottom you need separate enclosure as well bring link 230v supply from fuse board otherwise how you going to connect all circuits unless out there on the market are many different afdd !!!thanks
Thanks Tony, thanks for watching.
@@learnelectrics4402 great videos and helpful for everyone
If an RCD won't detect an in-series fault because the current is too low, how can it get hot enough to cause a fire?
The arcs and sparks jumping the gap between two conductors will generate a lot of heat even though the current is small - hundreds/thousands of degrees centigrade.
@@learnelectrics4402 Oh right i thought increased temperature made current rise.
Damn £130+ vat for all in one, rcbo AFDD. Isn’t this in amendment 3 which is coming out on 28th march?
Thanks, and I hope it's amendment 2 because that's what I've prepped for. Dave.
Amendment 2 this year. Not long until we find out. Dave.
John wards channel did a test, and purposefully tried to ark trip it. It didn't work!
Just like SPDs they are not needed in domestic installations, we get tiny arc volts and power surges on a daily basis with out any problems, these things don’t work your spending money on some thing that will just sit there looking pretty and never do anything. Unless you’re someone who has high power machines like welding equipment or a lathe or something like that in your garage and you spend your Saturday and Sunday mornings tinkering in your garage.and how many people do think has anything like that at home? But who am I to argue i’am just a humble spark who’s opinion means nothing. Great video as always 👍
Waste of time on lower current circuits such as lighting on 6A breaker
Yes, it needs to be a decent length arc to avoid triggering on light switch changeovers etc. Thanks for watching.
Yes, absolutely.
C'mon Sean, your opinion does matter. If folk are asking, we're going to tell them what's involved, especially the bit about hitting the wallet hard.