An RCD, or residual current device, is a safety switch that cuts power within milliseconds if it detects current leaking to earth, preventing electric shock. Under WA legislation, homes sold or rented must have at least two RCD switches installed at the switchboard, protecting all power and lighting circuits. Our licensed electricians based in High Wycombe install RCD switches safely and to WA standards.
RCD installation cost in Perth is usually $200 to $350 per switch. As WA requires a minimum of two, a standard compliance installation typically costs around $400 to $700. Get in touch with our expert team for a quote today.
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FAQS
A circuit breaker protects your wiring from overload, while an RCD protects you from electric shock by cutting the power instantly if something goes wrong. Most switchboards need both.
Sometimes. Equipment like solar inverters and EV chargers can need a specific type of safety switch to work properly, so this is usually checked as part of the install.
Power surges can come from outside the home, like lightning strikes or faults on the electricity network, but plenty come from within the home too, from large appliances like air conditioners or pool pumps switching on and off, or from faulty wiring and loose connections. A whole house surge protector covers both, not just the storm-related spikes people usually think of.
A safety switch reacts within milliseconds, generally under 40ms, which is fast enough to stop a dangerous shock before it can cause serious harm.
It can, but many homes now use individual safety switches for each circuit instead, so one fault doesn't cut power to the whole property.
