It’s now two years since the latest standards for RCD protection were published and, while there has been the usual period of grace to run down stocks of older devices, surely it’s time to ensure your customers get the full benefits of the latest thinking on their safety? That’s where the new Timeguard Valiance+ range of RCD-protected switched sockets and spurs comes in. This trusted supplier has undertaken a complete redesign, adding the latest generation of componentry throughout as well as the reassurance of compliance with latest safety standards. Both end- user safety and long-term reliability are improved.
Of course, reliability has never been an issue with Timeguard, which has been manufacturing RCD wiring accessories for over 20 years. Installers know they can trust them, and you’ll spot them in homes, offices, airports, hospitals, schools and public buildings. It takes confidence in your products to offer a minimum of 3 years product guarantee across your whole product range!
Timeguard’s history of firsts in RCD protection includes pioneering single-gang RCD switched sockets, a mark of the engineering skills and investment it puts into new products. Its range includes: single- or dual-gang models with metal or plastic casings, and active or passive switching. There are also IP protected Weathersafe versions for outdoor use. Now, the Valiancet+ 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 customer’s premises and, as usual, the Timeguard illustrated box packaging carries all the images and key information you need to choose the right model.
THE STANDARD
Valiance+ is fully compliant with the BS 7288:2016 specification for residual current devices with or without overcurrent protection for socket outlets for household and similar uses. This latest standard was published in November 2016, revising and updating BS 7288:1990. The main visible sign of compliance with the standard 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. However, ‘under the bonnet’, other changes add up to 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. While it is still legal to sell and install devices certified to the older standard, one could ask who would want to compromise on safety regulations when newer complaint devices are on the market?
THE RANGE
The new and stylish Timeguard Valiance+ range offers a complete range of 1 gang and 2 gang RCD switched sockets in both active and passive versions, so you can decide whether the power is automatically restored to the device when the power is restored, (essential for freezers etc), or if it remains isolated until manually reset (essential for power tools, etc. with exposed moving parts). There are white plastic and rugged metal clad variants in both 1 gang and 2 gang and a choice of 3 styles of RCD switched fuse spurs.
WHY BOTHER?
These life-saving devices provide added protection against the risks of electrocution. If, for instance, someone cuts through the cable when mowing the lawn or touches a faulty appliance indoors, RCDs are designed to disconnect quickly enough to mitigate the harm caused by such shocks. A Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) at the consumer board is designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit. Installers have increasing knowledge and ideas on where the extra protection provided by RCD sockets and RCD spurs should be installed, although, of course, any socket that might conceivably supply power for outdoor use should have built-in RCD protection. Just make sure the RCD sockets you stock are meeting the latest safety standards as well as looking good. Once again, the answer is Timeguard branded quality.
T: 0044 (0)20 8452 1112
W: www.timeguard.com
