Is an RCD/RCBO Required for an Air Con Repair / Replacement?

tunzafun001 on 17/10/2023 - 23:14

Just had an old in wall / window type Air Con die and replaced with a smaller 2.5kw Split.

We had the board replaced/ upgraded 10 years ago when the Solar System was installed. So modern, but not brand new.

Powerpoints are Circuit Breakers via a seperate RCD.

The old A/C, Oven, HWS are just Circuit Breakers, but are all hard wired, so makes sense.

Been told I needed to change the standard A/C circuit breaker for one of these RCBO's.

https://directwholesale.com.au/products/hager-adc920t-rcbo-1…?

Cost is about $200. Seems a bit 'spicey' (with the RCD neutral bar right there already with the GPO RCD's next to it), and it's an add on to the current job (not a seperate call out)?

Just has a look and the AS standard seems to suggest a RCD isn't required for a 'repair'? Definitely would be for a new circuit, but they just used the same 2C+E that was there from the old A/C.

Did I get duped?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • bargaino on 18/10/2023 - 00:37
    -1

    If your new AC is hard-wired, there is very little safety benefit for an RCD. I certainly would not be spending $200 upgrading an existing circuit.

    I guess this is an air-con installer with a restricted electrical license who is trying to extract some extra dollars from you?
    It is a 5 minute job, if you move slowly.

    • resisting the urge on 18/10/2023 - 09:22
      +1

      If its on its own circuit already, an RCBO is ideal, but the regulation in your state is all that counts. In most, our exalted overlords have decided that we must all be protected by RCDs at every turn- because they can't imagine a state where an individual can be trusted, let alone manage physical risks on their property. If I were them, I too would be very frustrated about not solving the bigger problems!

      If the $200 is a poke in the eye to you, just tell him you'll get it done by your sparky later, and if he refuses to commission the AC on the old MCB, then offer to buy one and pay no more than, say, $40 to install it. Id just say I'm happy to have him install it, but $200 is too much; <$100… maybe?

  • Overclocked91 on 18/10/2023 - 06:51
    +1

    Yes, it's required for a new circuit. Everything must be on RCD/RCBO now. WA anyway. What brand is the unit?

    • bargaino on 18/10/2023 - 09:10

      Its not a new circuit, but an appliance swap.

    • tunzafun001 on 18/10/2023 - 10:42

      Yeah, new circuits I understand. But old circuits the wording is ambiguous.

      • Switchblade88 on 18/10/2023 - 12:07
        +1

        If it was a plugin swap like a portable appliance, then there's no problem. But since it's hardwired, the electrician has to ensure the entire circuit is compliant and thus the RCD is needed.

        Replacement of an aircon isn't a repair. I'd be pissed if I was promised a brand new phone and all they did was stick a new battery in my old one; they're clearly different definitions.

      • Overclocked91 on 19/10/2023 - 07:22

        Not required then.

  • lunebyes on 18/10/2023 - 22:21

    You literally started the post saying “replaced”. Not a repair then.

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