If you’re a homeowner in Blackpool or the surrounding area, ensuring your property meets modern electrical safety standards is essential and one of the most important components to be aware of is the RCD, or Residual Current Device. But what exactly is an RCD, what does it do and why might your Blackpool home need one?
What is an RCD and How Does it Work?
An RCD is a critical safety device that protects against electric shock and helps prevent electrical fires. It constantly monitors the electrical current flowing through a circuit and immediately cuts the power if it detects an imbalance. For example, if electricity starts flowing through an unintended path — such as a person or water — the RCD trips the circuit, often in less than 300 milliseconds.
This fast response time can be lifesaving. Unlike a traditional circuit breaker, which only protects against overloads or short circuits, an RCD is specifically designed to protect people from electrocution.
Why RCDs are Important for Homes in Blackpool
Many homes in Blackpool, especially older properties, may not be fitted with modern RCD protection. If your home hasn’t had an electrical upgrade in recent years, there’s a chance your fuse box or consumer unit doesn’t include RCDs. This puts you and your family at increased risk, especially when using electrical items in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or outside.
At West Coast Electrical, we regularly carry out electrical inspections and consumer unit upgrades across Blackpool, Poulton-le-Fylde, Thornton-Cleveleys, and surrounding areas. We often find older systems still using rewireable fuses or older MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) without RCD protection and we always recommend an upgrade where safety is a concern.
Types of RCDs You Might Find
There are a few different types of RCDs, each suited to different uses:
- Fixed RCDs – These are installed in your consumer unit and provide protection to multiple circuits. This is the most common and recommended type for domestic homes.
- Socket-outlet RCDs – These special sockets have built-in RCD protection and are ideal for specific appliances or areas like gardens or garages.
- Portable RCDs – These can be plugged in between a socket and an appliance and are often used for temporary safety when working with power tools outdoors.
If you’re unsure which type of RCD is installed in your Blackpool home (or whether you have one at all), it’s worth booking a professional inspection.
Upgrading Your Consumer Unit to Include RCD Protection in Blackpool
The current UK Wiring Regulations (BS 7671 – 18th Edition) require that many circuits in domestic installations are RCD protected — especially those serving sockets, bathrooms, and outdoor equipment. If your consumer unit doesn’t meet these standards, it’s time to consider an upgrade.
At West Coast Electrical, we install modern RCD-protected consumer units throughout Blackpool and the Fylde Coast. Our team of qualified electricians are NICEIC registered and TrustMark accredited, ensuring that all work is carried out to the highest safety standards. We’re also known for our tidy, respectful approach to working in customers’ homes.
An upgraded consumer unit not only gives you peace of mind but can also add value to your home and bring it up to modern safety standards — which is especially important if you’re renting the property or planning to sell.
How to Know If Your RCD is Working
If your home already has an RCD, it’s still important to test it regularly. Every RCD will have a test button — usually marked with a “T” or “Test”. Pressing this should trip the device and cut the power to that circuit. If nothing happens, or if the RCD doesn’t reset properly, it may be faulty and should be checked by a qualified electrician.
We recommend testing your RCD every 3 months. If you’re unsure, we can carry out a full test as part of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which we offer throughout Blackpool and the surrounding areas.
Protect Your Home with West Coast Electrical
Whether you’re in Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Thornton-Cleveleys or nearby, West Coast Electrical is here to help you stay safe with expert advice and professional electrical services. From RCD installation to consumer unit upgrades, fault finding and full rewires, we’ve got the experience and certifications to do the job right.
We’re proud to be a local company you can rely on — and our team always works with care, respect, and a clear focus on safety.
Need help with RCD protection or electrical safety in Blackpool?
Call West Coast Electrical today or request a free quote online.
