Electrical Question: Electric Light fell into Aquarium water, RCD protection?

[Degen]

Hi

For electrical savvy people out there...does my apartment have RCD (see pic below)?

I have read that RCD will prevent you from electrocution.

The other day, a family member knocked over the light into the aquarium water, while her arm was in the water. Luckily, her arm kept the light from completely submerging.

Here is the fuse box (see pic below). There is a "T" button above the blue switch. Does this mean it has RCD and we would have been protected even if the light fell completely into the water while her arm was in the water?



Here is the light that fell in (see pic below)...it is a PL flourscent type bulb (11 watt).




Thanks!

[JAherbert]

that board is ancient and no it does not have RCD, it has the older, pre RCD, device ELCB https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-...ircuit_breaker
it is primarily intended to protect against earth faults, definitely not as robust as modern RCD or RCBO,

it looks like the lamp only has live and neutral, no earth, so wouldn't protect against shock. If you happen to use a lot of DC, computers, inverters, lighting, battery chargers, etc. the new RCD must be type A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WNA...annel=JohnWard

[Degen]

that board is ancient and no it does not have RCD, it has the older, pre RCD, device ELCB https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-...ircuit_breaker
it is primarily intended to protect against earth faults, definitely not as robust as modern RCD or RCBO,

JAherbert, Thanks for the info.

This aquarium light has a big and heavy power supply (see pic below). Do these thing usually have "voltage isolation"?

As I understand, if voltage is "isolated", then you will be protected from electric shock. Is this true?



I assumed this light is safe because it was sold for use for home aquarium. But maybe not?

[JAherbert]

JAherbert, Thanks for the info.

This aquarium light has a big and heavy power supply (see pic below). Do these thing usually have "voltage isolation"?

As I understand, if voltage is "isolated", then you will be protected from electric shock. Is this true?



I assumed this light is safe because it was sold for use for home aquarium. But maybe not?

ok, thats different, it "appears" to be extra low voltage (ELV), could be for example 6-12 volts, so it would not be considered to be dangerous "assuming" that the manufacturers class 2 symbol on the power supply is real.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...ion_symbol.svg

[aw451]

Additionally, since there is a transformer an RCD won't trip anyway because there's no reference to ground

[Degen]

ok, thats different, it "appears" to be extra low voltage (ELV), could be for example 6-12 volts, so it would not be considered to be dangerous "assuming" that the manufacturers class 2 symbol on the power supply is real.

This light is made by a brand called Dazs. My Google search shows this is a legit HK company, with a retail store in Mong Kok.

dazs.com.hk: "Dazs Aquarium System...Sze Sun Aquarium & Pet Co...since 1979 H.K."

[Degen]

ok, thats different, it "appears" to be extra low voltage (ELV), could be for example 6-12 volts, so it would not be considered to be dangerous "assuming" that the manufacturers class 2 symbol on the power supply is real.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...ion_symbol.svg

Does the two-squared symbol relate to limits on power output?

I thought it related to insulation only.

[JAherbert]

Additionally, since there is a transformer an RCD won't trip anyway because there's no reference to ground

RCD's only measure the difference between line and neutral current, any difference and the RCD trips within stated time, typically 30 milliseconds.

[Windmill65]

JAherbert, Thanks for the info.

This aquarium light has a big and heavy power supply (see pic below). Do these thing usually have "voltage isolation"?

As I understand, if voltage is "isolated", then you will be protected from electric shock. Is this true?



I assumed this light is safe because it was sold for use for home aquarium. But maybe not?

Unfortunately does the photo not show what the output voltage of this AC adapter is. It only states "OUTPUT: 11W", but nothing about its voltage.

[JAherbert]

Does the two-squared symbol relate to limits on power output?

I thought it related to insulation only.

yes, it means that unit is double insulated