What a safety switch actually does
An RCD monitors the current flowing out on the active and back on the neutral. If those don't match, current is leaking somewhere it shouldn't be — through a faulty appliance, through damaged insulation, or through a person. When it detects that imbalance, it cuts the power in about 30 milliseconds. That's fast enough to prevent a fatal shock.
How to tell if you have one
Open your switchboard and look for a switch with a 'TEST' button on it. That's an RCD. If every switch in there is just a plain circuit breaker, or worse, if you have ceramic fuses, you have no RCD protection at all. Plenty of homes have one RCD covering only the power circuits and nothing on the lights — which is only half the job.
Testing — the part everyone skips
RCDs are mechanical devices and they can fail. They should be tested by pressing the test button every three months, and properly tested with an instrument periodically. It takes seconds and it's the difference between having protection and only thinking you have it.
What the law says in Victoria
RCD protection is required on new and altered circuits in Victoria. In practice that means if you're having any electrical work done, safety switches come into the conversation. If you're a landlord, there are additional obligations around electrical safety checks — worth knowing rather than finding out the hard way.
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What's the difference between a circuit breaker and a safety switch?
A circuit breaker protects the wiring from overload — it stops the cables in your walls from overheating. A safety switch (RCD) protects people from electric shock. You need both, and having one does not mean you have the other.
How do I know if I have a safety switch?
Look in your switchboard for a switch with a TEST button. That's an RCD. If there's no test button anywhere, you don't have one.
How often should I test my safety switch?
Press the test button every three months. It should trip immediately. If it doesn't, call an electrician — a safety switch that won't trip is providing no protection at all.
Are safety switches required by law in Victoria?
RCD protection is required on new and altered circuits. Beyond the legal minimum, they're strongly recommended throughout any home — particularly with children, a pool or a workshop.