Timeguard Valiance brings SRCD protection up to standard?
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Timeguard’s Valiance+ range of RCD-protected switched sockets and fused spurs guarantees compliance with the latest safety standards for improved safety and long-term reliability.
Timeguard has a history of firsts in RCD protection. For instance, it was the first UK manufacturer to market revolutionary compact single gang RCD switched sockets, a testament to the great engineering skills of the Timeguard R&D team, and part of a comprehensive range that includes single gang and dual-gang sockets, metal or plastic casing, active or passive switching. Now, the Valiance + RCD range puts the icing on the cake with compliance to the latest BS7288:2016 regulations for dual-flag (red AND green) notification of switching status. They also look good enough for any customers’ premises and, as usual, the Timeguard illustrated box packaging carries all the images and key information your customers need to choose the right model.
The standard
The Valiance+ range is fully compliant with BS 7288:2016: Specification for residual current devices with or without overcurrent protection for socket-outlets for household and similar uses. Timeguard was the first company to achieve this ‘pass’ with UK approved certification to the new BS7288:2016 standard, at the beginning of 2019.
The main visible sign to look out for to know that a device is compliant is that there is now a dual-flag indication system to show whether the power is live RED – ON, or Green – OFF when the RCD is tripped. This ingenious mechanical indication system is designed to last for many-many years rather than using LED’s that have a limited life expectancy.
However, ‘under the bonnet’, other changes add up to even greater reassurance for users. They mostly relate to EMC resilience, with more stringent testing to ensure products can withstand years of use and electrical or physical abuse and RF interference.
It’s important to note that the new BS7288:2016 standard calls for an SRCD socket or spur unit to be built and to pass much higher levels of testing and performance than products built to the older BS7288:2009 standard. Also introduced for the first time in the new standard is “Type classification”, this being simply a way of indicating an RCD’s detection characteristics in-line with general RCD’s, with all Timeguard SRCD products achieving rating certification for both Type A (for single phase DC loads up to 6MA including vehicle charging) and Type AC (for AC sinusoidal waves only).
The range
The new and stylish Timeguard Valiance+ range offers a complete range of 1 gang and 2 gang RCD switched sockets, white or metal-clad as well as a choice of RCD switched fused spurs. The Timeguard sockets are hugely popular with installers because they are specifically designed to directly retro-fit in to a 25mm deep recessed box and replace standard wiring accessories.
Active and passive options are offered so installers can decide whether the power is automatically restored to the device when the power supply returns to normal, as in the ‘Active’ version, (essential for products such as freezers etc), or if it remains isolated until manually reset, as in the ‘Passive’ version, (essential for products such as hedge trimmers, power tools, etc) with exposed moving parts where an unexpected restart would be a danger to the user.
Why bother with RCD sockets?
An RCD wiring accessory or residual current device is a life-saving device, designed to provide added protection for people against the risks of electrocution and fire that ordinary sockets cannot provide. If, for instance, someone cuts through a cable or touches a faulty appliance indoors, RCDs specifically detect earth leakage and trip in milliseconds.
A miniature circuit breaker (mcb) at the consumer board is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. It makes sense to have both in many applications throughout the home and workplace, and certainly for any socket or spur that might be used to supply power for outdoor use.
Just make sure the RCD sockets you choose meet the latest safety standards, are designed to guaranteed quality standards and look good for installation anywhere in the home or workplace. That means Timeguard Valiance+.
