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Residual-current device
Prepared by:
Slobodenyuk Andrey
group V-31m
Kyiv 2014
Plan
Introduction...2
1. Chapter 1. Purpose and operation 3
2. Chapter 2. Example of residual-current device.4
3. Chapter 3. Use and placement ..5
4. Chapter 4. Testing .6
5. Chapter 5. Limitations ..7
Summary....8
Bibliography..9
Introduction
A residual current device (RCD), similar to a residual current circuit breaker
(RCCB), is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that
the electric current is not balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral
conductor. Such an imbalance is sometimes caused by current leakage through the body of
a person who is grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A
lethal shock can result from these conditions. RCDs are designed to disconnect quickly
enough to mitigate the harm caused by such shocks although they are not intended to
provide protection against overload or short-circuit conditions.
Chapter 4. Testing
RCDs can be tested with the built-in test button to confirm functionality on a regular
basis. RCDs if wired improperly may not operate correctly and are generally tested by the
installer to verify correct operation. Use of a solenoid voltmeter from live to earth provides
an external path and can test the wiring to the RCD. Such a test may be performed on
installation of the device and at any "downstream" outlet.
Chapter 5. Limitations
A residual current circuit breaker cannot remove all risk of electric shock or fire. In
particular, an RCD alone will not detect overload conditions, phase to neutral short circuits
or phase-to-phase short circuits. Over-current protection (fuse or circuit breaker) must be
provided. Circuit breakers that combine the functions of an RCD with overcurrent
protection respond to both types of fault. These are known as RCBOs, and are available in
1, 2, 3 and 4 pole configurations. RCBOs will typically have separate circuits for detecting
current imbalance and for overload current but will have a common interrupting
mechanism.
An RCD will help to protect against electric shock where current flows through a
person from a phase to earth. It cannot protect against electric shock where current flows
through a person from phase to neutral or phase to phase, for example where a finger
touches both live and neutral contacts in a light fitting; a device can not differentiate
between current flow through an intended load from flow through a person.
Whole installations on a single RCD, common in the UK, are prone to nuisance trips
that can cause safety problems with loss of lighting and defrosting of food. RCDs also
cause nuisance trips with appliances where earth leakage is common and not a cause of
injury or mortality, such as water heaters.
A dangerous condition can arise if the neutral wire is broken or switched off before
the RCD while its live wire is not interrupted. In this situation the tripping circuitry of the
RCD that needs power to be supplied will cease to work. The circuit will look like it is
switched off, but if someone touches the live wire thinking that it is de-energized, the RCD
will not trip. For this reason circuit breakers must be installed in a way that ensures that
the neutral wire is turned off only at the moment when the live wire is also turned off.
Separate single-pole circuit breakers must never be used for live and neutral, only two or
four pole breakers must be used in cases there is a need for switching off the neutral wire.
Summary
So, as we can see, a residual current device can be used in different branches of
modern life. However, it is connected with a large amount of unsolved problems. A
residual current device help to protect against electric shock.
Bibliography
1. http://en.wikipedia.org
2. http://www-formal.stanford.edu
3. http://www.elsevier.com
4. http://www.sciencedaily.com