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This document discusses residual current devices (RCDs), which monitor current in circuit conductors to detect earth faults. It explains that an RCD uses a toroid to measure magnetic fields from currents and detect imbalance indicating a fault. It also notes that RCDs must have both line and neutral conductors passing through the toroid. The document cautions that RCDs are not suitable for DC systems and discusses pulsating DC fault currents that may not be detected without a specialized sensitive RCD.

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163 views

Pages From hager-CE240B-2

This document discusses residual current devices (RCDs), which monitor current in circuit conductors to detect earth faults. It explains that an RCD uses a toroid to measure magnetic fields from currents and detect imbalance indicating a fault. It also notes that RCDs must have both line and neutral conductors passing through the toroid. The document cautions that RCDs are not suitable for DC systems and discusses pulsating DC fault currents that may not be detected without a specialized sensitive RCD.

Uploaded by

piscesguy78
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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RCCB (ELCB)

Residual current devices

A residual current device (RCD) is the generic term for a device


which monitors the current in the line conductor and the neutral
conductor of a circuit in an earthed system.

The drawing opposite shows how a torroid is located around the line
and neutral conductors to measure the magnetic fields created by
the current flowing in these conductors. The sum of the magnetic
fileds set up by these currents (which takes into consideration both
the magnetic and phase relationship of the currents) is detected by
the torroid.

In a normal heathy circuit the vector sum of the current values


added together will be zero. Current flowing to earth, due to a line
earth fault, will return wia the hearth conductor, and regardless of
load conditions will register as a fault. This current flow will give rise
to a residual current (Ires) which will be detected by the device.

It is most important that the line and neutral conductors are passed
through the torroid. A common cause of nuisance operation is the
failure to connect the neutral through the device.

RCCBs work just as well on three phase or three phase and neutral
circuits, but when the neutral is distributed it must pass through the
torroid.

RCCB are not suitable for use on DC systems and unearthed net-
works.
Pulsating DC fault current sensitive
RCCBs - domestic installation Increasingly, semi-conductors are also extensively used in compu-
RCCBs can be installed in two ways : ters, VDUs, printers, plotters,... all of which may be fed from the lain
electrical supply. The presence of semi - conductors may result in
1. whole house protection the normal sinusoidal AC waveform being modified. For example,
2. selective protection the waveform may be rectifed or, as in asymmetric phase control
devices, the waveform may be chopped. The resulting waveforms
Whole house protection is provided typically by a consumer unit are said to have a pulsating DC component.
where the RCCB device serves as the main switch. Although very
popular this suffers from a disadvantage : all circuits are disconnec- In the event of an earth fault occuring in equipment containing sei-
ted in the event of fault. Selective protection can be provided by conductor devices, there is a probability taht the earth fault current
associating the RCCB with identified high risk circuits by adopting will contain a pulsating DC component.
one or more of the following :
Standard types of RCCB may not respond to this type of earth fault
Split busbar consumer unit current and the intended degree of protection will not be provided.
All circuits are fed via an overall isolator and selected circuits fed
additionally via the RCCB. Typical circuits fed direct are lighting, Check for symbol :
freezer, storage heating : and circuits fed via the RCCB are socket
outlets, garage circuits. This concept minimises inconvenience in the Hager provide a range of pulsating d.c. sensitive dvices for this type
event of fault. of application.

Whole ring circuit


A 30mA device adjacent to the consumer unit, which provides pro-
tection for the downstairs ring circuit, provides an easy installation
with protection for all associated socket outlets. This represents the Tripping characteristics
best solution for upgrading existing installations.
Type In(A)I∆n(A) Standard values of break time(s) and
Nuisance tripping non-actuating time(s) at a residual current (I)
All Hager RCCBs incorporate a filtering device preventing the risk of equal to :
nuisance tripping due to transient voltages (lightning, line disturban- 0.5I∆n I∆n 2I∆n 5I∆n 500A
ces on other equipment...) and transient currents (from high capaci- general any ≤ 0.03 no trip 0.1s 0.1s 0.04s 0.04s max.
tive circuit). value break
times
Check for the symbol : > 0.03 no trip 0.3s 0.15s 0.04s 0.04s max.
break
times
technical
guide

T.21

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