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Thread: 3 phase earth leakage protection

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    3 phase earth leakage protection

    A trick question for all you smart fellas.

    When installing a 3 phase socket outlet in a shop which is only going to feed 1 appliance with a cord not longer than 3 meters, is earth leakage protection required?
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

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    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
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    It's certainly possible in terms of 6.7.5.5.

    In fact there's a high possibility for 6.7.5.5 b) to be applicable.

    6.7.5.5 The following do not need earth leakage protection:

    b) a socket outlet that complies with SANS 164-4 and that is intended only for the connection of an appliance for critical application (such as emergency lighting, a deep freeze, a burglar alarm, data processing equipment, or life-supporting equipment);

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    Diamond Member AndyD's Avatar
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    I'd also say it was a possible yes. Lots of variables though, if the socket was fed from a control panel then it could fall outside the general installation regs.
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    Will be fed from a standard 3 phase DB. It will be the supply for stationary appliances used for heating and cooking
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  5. #5
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    i would say it has to be on earth leakage relay. if the socket outlet was dedicated for 1 particular appliance that shouldnt be on earth leakage ,such as alarms,etc then only can it be left off.

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    It all starts at the design of the electrical installations.

    A little while back i got into a dispute with a clever person (electrician) who knew everything and tried to make a fool of me in front of his customer, not a wise move. I may act like a fool most of the time but I do that to protect myself.

    My point is when you design an electrical installations there are a lot of factors which need to be taken into account. One of the reasons i very seldom respond to electrical questions on public forums.

    I have been doing some research into this issue with regards to 3 phase sockets and earth leakage protection and there is some interesting things popping up. For now all i am going to say is not all 3 phase sockets have to be on earth leakage. I need to finish my research before i say anymore.

    The project i am busy with will be hugely affected by earth leakage and i have noted that none of the other installations use earth leakage protection. The meeting with the engineer is going to be rather interesting.

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    Diamond Member AndyD's Avatar
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    I think the simple answer would be that yes, all 3phase sockets would require E/L protection unless they somehow qualify as an exemption. If it's cooking equipment in a commercial kitchen then I'd say it would be a good idea to RCD protect them anyway given the type of abuse they'd usually suffer in that environment. Under normal circumstances I don't see the point of having kitchen equipment on plugs and sockets, it just provides another place where faults can occur.
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