electricalforum.nz

I've been asked to replace a wall oven with another

The current oven is directly wired, the customer has asked if possible to add a socket outlet and flexible plug on the new one, no issues with this, 15A socket and plug

I'm well aware of 2.6.3.1 Exception 3 but because this is an alteration to an existing circuit I can't apply this can I? So looking to 2.6.3.4 "Socket-outlets that are added to an existing circuit shall be protected by an
RCD." I believe this is a fault in the wording and why it's been cleared up in 2018 but as of currently and following what it says, I must protect the socket outlet via RCD as per 2.6.3.4

Am I missing anything? Or just a flaw in the wording?

Just a flaw; and - as you've noticed - corrected in 2018 edition.

On the other hand, that Exception was only ever intended for larger appliance, particularly ranges, due to the poor seals on older MIMS elements.
There's no good reason to avoid RCD for an oven.

Sorry to hijack this thread, I have a question with the same title. I have been asked to replaced an existing range, which currently does not have any sockets outlets inbuilt with a range that has two. Do I need to RCD protect the range circuit due to this or is it not required due to the range being an appliance?

You're replacing a fitting (a cooking appliance) with a similar fitting.
Therefore you're maintaining the installation; working under ESR 59(3), with 3 options available
- one of them being maintaining in original condition.
What some people call "like for like"; although that term doesn't appear anywhere official.
You're not in any way altering the existing circuit's continued compliance.


You're not doing any installation work.
You are certainly not installing a final subcircuit (or any part of one); therefore clause 2.6.3 does not apply

JamieP wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 08, 2021 9:07 am

I must protect the socket outlet via RCD as per 2.6.3.4

Am I missing anything? Or just a flaw in the wording?

Does exception 3 of 2.6.3.4 not cover this?

Seems to me like it is saying when adding socket outlets to an existing sub circuit where an exception from 2.6.3.1 or 2.6.3.2 would apply then RCD protection is not required.

Those exceptions don't apply to 2.6.3.4

"Exceptions: The requirements of Clauses 2.6.3.1 and 2.6.3.2 need not
apply to the following"

They apply to clauses 2.6.3.1 and 2.6.3.2 only

So as 2.6.3.4 says "Socket-outlets that are added to an existing circuit shall be protected by an
RCD."

Add a socket outlet to an existing circuit and it needs RCD protection under 2.6.3.4 and this seems to apply regardless of residential or not

I see what your saying now Jamie.

The clause is written in such a way that the addition of socket outlets require RCD protection regardless of if they would have been required in a new installation or not. That makes things interesting.

Yeah, as Alec says above, a flaw, that's been corrected in the 2018 edition