Generator question for elec electronic engineers

[VicS]

You said

If the RCD will trip straight away, as some posters (including Vic, who says he has tested the theory twice), or as soon as a load exists, what is the point of such an installation ?

Can you explain to me, because i'm at a loss, what the purpose of such an installation would be ?

Just to clarify. It tripped immediately.... no load

My house has a TN-S earth using the cable lead sheath as the PE conductor ( I realise that recent built houses will probably not be earthed in this way.)

I suspect that if I'd had a TN-C-S system it may not have tripped with virtually no load, apart from a light or two, on at the time. Irrelevant anyway because TN-C-S is not acceptable/ allowed for marina wiring.

I think I am beginning to understand Mathew Riches' assertions that an RCD will not be tripped by a downstream PE to N link with no load on but will trip once the circuit is loaded. I guess he does not explain this for fear of being ridiculed. I am not going to elaborate further either for the same reason.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I think I am beginning to understand Mathew Riches' assertions that an RCD will not be tripped by a downstream PE to N link with no load on but will trip once the circuit is loaded. I guess he does not explain this for fear of being ridiculed. I am not going to elaborate further either for the same reason.

I think you missed a word out, see above. Apologies if that's not the case.

I think the argument over whether or not the RCD will trip with no load is a Red Herring. It doesn't really matter which is the case, such an installation is pointless, as it cannot be used.

 

[VicS]

I think you missed a word out, see above. Apologies if that's not the case.

I think the argument over whether or not the RCD will trip with no load is a Red Herring. It doesn't really matter which is the case, such an installation is pointless, as it cannot be used.

Yes, thanks, now corrected

It may be a red herring, irrelevant or even wrong but I wanted to be able to understand where he was coming from. I think the penny may have dropped.