All mains powered portable equipment, operating at above extra low voltage, must be protected by a residual current device (RCD) in accordance with AS3000 and AS3012.

RCDs help detect any faults that may introduce the possibility of electrical shock to a person and/or prevent physical damage to an electrical device.

Circuit protective devices must comply with AS3000, and for construction sites, the additional requirements of AS3012.

The preference is for RCDs to be part of a fixed installation, e.g. mounted within a switchboard, or integral to a switched socket outlet. However, where this is not practical, portable equipment may be connected to the electrical supply via a portable socket outlet assembly (PSOA) complying with AS3012.

Portable RCDs must be plugged directly into the general purpose outlet and not into the socket end of a flexible extension lead as this does not provide RCD protection of the lead.

Electrical Portable Outlet Devices (EPODs), commonly known as domestic power boards, cannot be used on construction or demolition sites.