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My son has a middle floor flat which has a consumer unit containing a main switch and two MCBs, one for the lighting circuit and one for the power circuit.
I want to have the main switch replaced by one 30 mA RCD to cover the whole flat but I understand that this will contravene the wiring regulations which I believe say that a split load consumer unit must be used with a 30 mA RCD for the sockets and A 100mA time delayed RCD for the lighting circuit. The reason for this set up is I seem to remember is to guard against the whole dwelling being plunged into darkness if there is no fault on the lighting circuit especially if a person happens to be using the stairs at the tiome.
Have I got my facts right.
My sons flat has no stairs so can I instruct an electrician to fit an RCD as I require without contavening the wiring regulations?
It seems crazy to me that my son could be changing a light bulb in one of his two metal light fittings without the protection of a 30 mA RCD just to avoid the danger of falling down stairs if the lights suddenly go out.
I would gladly welcome any comments.

Thankyou

You will not be contravening any regulations by doing this . The only problem is if you get a persitant fault on the power circuit then everything will go out. Just instruct your electrician that you want the whole board to be rcd protected as your son likes to stick his fingers in lampholders, i am sure he will understand LOL


Nick

Many thanks for your quick reply. I apologise for not replying sooner but I have been tied up with tiling.
I will certainly do as you suggest.
Thankyou once again.

Tony