Bob As far as I am aware under the 16th edition it wasnt a requirement to use an RCD as circuit protection unless the socket was likely to be used to power outside portable equipment. I dont think the requirement for mandatory installation for non domestic use was until the introduction of the 17th edition. I am ready to be corrected though. Regards Paul

Did it anyway. Regulations 412-06 & 471-16 apply. Allowing for my last post, the following apply: 412 PROTECTION AGAINST DIRECT CONTACT 412-01 General 412-01-01 For protection against direct contact one or more of the following basic protective measures shall be used in accordance with the relevant requirements of this section and the application rules specified in Section 471, including those indicated below: (i) protection by insulation of live parts (Regulation 412-02 and Regulation 471-04) (ii) protection by a barrier or an enclosure (Regulation 412-03 and Regulation 471-05) (iii) protection by obstacles (Regulation 412-04 and Regulation 471-06) (iv) protection by placing out of reach (Regulation 412-05 and Regulation 471-07). Where supplementary protection by a residual current device is also provided, the requirements of Regulation 412-06 shall apply. 412-06 Supplementary protection by residual current devices 412-06-01 A residual current device shall not be used as the sole means of protection against direct contact. 412-06-02 The use of a residual current device is recognised as reducing the risk of electric shock where the following conditions are complied with: (i) one of the protective measures specified in items (i) to (iv) of Regulation 412-01-01 shall be applied, and (ii) the residual current device shall have a rated residual operating current (I n) not exceeding 30 mA and an operating time not exceeding 40 ms at a residual current of 5 I n, as provided by BS 4293, BS 7071, BS 7288, BS EN 61008-1 or BS EN 61009-1. 471-16 Supplies for portable equipment outdoors 471-16-01 A socket-outlet rated at 32 A or less which may reasonably be expected to supply portable equipment for use outdoors shall be provided with supplementary protection to reduce the risk associated with direct contact by means of a residual current device having the characteristics specified in Regulation 412-06-02(ii). This regulation does not apply to a socket-outlet supplied by a circuit incorporating one or more of the protective measures specified in items (i) to (iii) below and complying with the Regulations indicated: (i) protection by SELV (see Regulations 411-02 and 471-02) (ii) protection by electrical separation (see Regulations 413-06 and 471-12) (iii) protection by automatic disconnection and reduced low voltage systems (see Regulation 471-15). 471-16-02 Except where one or more of the protective measures specified in items (i) to (iii) of Regulation 471-16-01 are applied in compliance with the corresponding regulations stated therein, a circuit supplying portable equipment for use outdoors, connected other than through a socket-outlet by means of flexible cable or cord having a current-carrying capacity of 32 A or less, shall be provided with supplementary protection to reduce the risk associated with direct contact, by means of a residual current device having the characteristics specified in Regulation 412-06-02(ii).