Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Technical Articles / Which type of residual current device (RCD) to use and when?

Total earth loop impedance

We know how (very) important the total earth loop impedance Zs is in the reduction of shock risk. However, in TT systems where the mass of earth is part of the fault path, the maximum values of Zs given in the IEE Regulations may be hard to satisfy.

Which type of residual current device (RCD) to use and when?
Which type of residual current device (RCD) to use and when?

Added to this, climatic conditions will alter the resistance of the earth in such a way that Ze may be satisfactory in wet weather, but not in very dry.

Operating principle of the residual current device
Figure 1 – Operating principle of the residual current device

The regulations recommend, therefore, that the preferred method of earth fault protection for installations in TT systems be achieved by RCDs, such that the product of its residual operating current and the loop impedance will not exceed a figure of 50 V.

Residual current breakers (RCBs), residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) and RCDs are one and the same thing. Read more about this.

Modern developments in CB (circuit breaker), RCD and consumer unit design now make it easy to protect any individual circuit with a combined CB/RCD (RCBO), making the use of split-load boards unnecessary.

In domestic premises the use of 30 mA RCDs is required for the protection of all socket outlets rated at not more than 20 A, for all circuits in a bath or shower room and for cables embedded in walls and partitions at a depth less than 50 mm. Socket outlets not intended for general use, for example those provided for non-portable equipment such as freezers, etc., are exempt from this requirement, provided they are suitably labelled or identified.


Applications of RCDs

30 mA

Applications
All socket outlets rated at not more than 20 A and for unsupervised general use.
Mobile equipment rated at not more than 32 A for use outdoors.
All circuits in a bath/shower room.
Preferred for all circuits in a TT system.
All cables installed less than 50 mm from the surface of a wall or partition (in the safe zones) if the installation is unsupervised, and also at any depth if the construction of the wall or partition includes metallic parts.
In zones 0, 1 and 2 of swimming pool locations.
All circuits in a location containing saunas, etc.
Socket outlet final circuits not exceeding 32 A in agricultural locations.
Circuits supplying Class II equipment in restrictive conductive locations.
Each socket outlet in caravan parks and marinas and final circuit for houseboats.
All socket-outlet circuits rated not more than 32 A for show stands, etc.
All socket-outlet circuits rated not more than 32 A for construction sites (where reduced low voltage, etc. is not used).
All socket outlets supplying equipment outside mobile or transportable units.
All circuits in caravans.
All circuits in circuses, etc.
A circuit supplying Class II heating equipment for floor and ceiling heating systems

100 mA

Applications
Socket outlets of rating exceeding 32 A in agricultural locations.
Where Loop Impedances are too high, RCD ratings can be calculated.

300 mA

Applications
At the origin of a temporary supply to circuses, etc.
Where there is a risk of fire due to storage of combustible materials.
All circuits (except socket outlets) in agricultural locations

500 mA

Applications
Any circuit supplying one or more socket outlets of rating exceeding 32 A, on a construction site

RCD installed on a DIN rail //

When and which Residual Current Device to use?
When and which Residual Current Device to use?

Reference: Electric Wiring: Domestic – Brian Scaddan IEng, MIET

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
More Information
author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

4 Comments


  1. Lakhan lal singh
    Aug 21, 2023

    RCD rating require single phase 1.5 HP submersible .


  2. Ephrem Yoseph
    Jul 28, 2023

    Dear Sirs,

    What type of RCD do we use for a split-phase system? Our supply voltage is 3-phase 230V system where u use two phase to make 230V supply. No neutral. Pls advise as we have a project coming up for many service Stations.

    Regards,

    Ephrem Yoseph
    Consulting Engineer

    F-Consulting & Contracting PLC
    Martyrs’ Avenue
    ZIP Code 1A-171
    House No.83/6
    Asmara, Eritrea
    Tel/WhatsApp: +291-7-654180


  3. MARK S GROPPER
    Oct 16, 2020

    Does IEC 61008, IEC 61009-1, or IEC 61543 specify an AIC or Short Circuit Rating for 16 amp and 32 amp RCDs and RCBOs?


  4. SOORAJ S DIVAKAR
    Sep 18, 2019

    is 30 mA RCD REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION SITE SUB DB’s.?

Leave a Reply to SOORAJ S DIVAKAR

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

seventy  −  sixty seven  =  

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge