A Brief Overview On

RCCB

What is RCCB

RCCB (RESIDUAL CURRENT CIRCUIT

BREAKER )
RCCB stand for residual current circuit breaker, it
is also called ELCB (earth leakage circuit breaker)
or RCD (residual circuit device) or GFI (ground
fault interrupter), in America. RCCB device is for
breaking a circuit automatically when it senses
fraction of an ampere leakage current flowing to
earth in excess to predetermined amount. The
flow of current through electrical facilities always
involves risks. Poorly insulated equipment, faulty
wires and incorrect use of an electrical device
cause currents to flow through the wrong path
(i.e. through the insulation) to the earth. This
current is called Leakage Current.

Causes of electrical hazards

Ageing effect on insulation of old wire
Insulation damage of wire or cable
Contact with live wire by a person directly or through live metal body
Over heating of cable or wire due to over loading
Short circuit between phase and neutral wire
Wrong connection of phase and neutral wire

Why we need RCCB

Provides high degree of effective protection against electric shock

Prevents fire hazards by sensing less than 1 amp leakage

current flowing to earth.

Stops the unused leakage current flow as low as 30 mA and

saves electric charges.

Working Principle
The RCCB works on the current
balance principle. The supply
conductors, i.e. the phases and
the neutral, are passed through a
torroid and form the primary
windings
of
a
current
transformer.
Its
secondary
winding is connected to a highly
sensitive electromagnetic trip
relay, which operates the trip
mechanism.

Principle involved in RCCB tripping

The RCCB works on the current balance principle. In
a healthy circuit the current in phase is equal to
current in neutral and vector sum of the current is
zero. During earth leakage the vector sum of current
is not zero. This imbalance induces a current on the
secondary winding of the current transformer, which
in turn trips the RCCB mechanism.

Classification And Ranges Of

RCCB
Number of poles

According to residual operating

current

According to behavior
In presence of D.C component

2P & 4P

30,100 &300mA

Type AC
&
Type A

Device sensitivity & its

application
10 mA

Provides higher level of personal protection for use in

sensitive areas such as laboratories, schools & workshops.

30 mA

IS-12640 recommends use of RCCB in house hold and

similar installation. Bathtub, shower basin, swimming pool,
at construction site, portable appliances etc.

100 mA

High level of fire risk protection, indirect shock risk

protection, and partial protection against direct shock.

300 mA

Provides safely against greater fire hazards.

Characteristics of RCCB
Rated current :

Rated operational voltage :

Rated making & breaking capacity :

Rated conditional short circuit current :

16A TO 125A

240V for single phase

415V for three phase
500A : for ( In<= 40)
630
( In 63A )
1250A (In 80-125A)
6kA : for (In<=63A)
10kA
(80-125A)

CALIBRATION PROCESS
witch on the Calibration Machine.
Set the sensitivity of RCCB by magnetic and
demagnetise.
MT testing: Magneting Tripping Test is being performed
to test the tripping ability of the device produced , as it
is designed to work up to a certain range of residual
current as it must open the circuit when the specific
leakage current range also it must trip in a predefined
range of time period.

Trip Band For

Different Rating
Rating (mA)

LSL

USL

Central Value

30

24

27

25

100

80

90

85

300

240

260

250

ELECTROMECHANICAL
ENDURANCE FIXTURE
RCCB remain ok on electromechanical endurance (3000
operations).

H.V TEST
Operation : High voltage test
Tool/Equipment: H.V Tester

Procedure:

Test to be carried out across the poles in ON (Closed)

condition at 2.5 KV for one sec.
Test to be carried out across the terminals in OFF (open)
condition at 2.5 KV for one sec.

RCCB TEST BUTTON

TEST
Tool/Equipment: Test button fixture

Procedure:
Switch on the supply (230V AC).Place in RCCB in the
fixture on ON condition.
Press test button.