WHAT IS A RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE
A residual current device is an electrical safety device which can be used to prevent electrical injuries, while using electrical equipment there is a chance to get electrical injuries by some hazards such as a damaged leads, chords or because of faulty wiring, the RCD will check the flow of electricity and it will quickly switch off the electricity when an electric leaking is detected, RCD can be helpful to prevent electric shock protection and it can reduce the risk of catching fire.
TYPES OF RESIDUAL CURRENT RCD
Switchboard RCD
it does the complete form of protection by monitoring the circuit from the switchboard to electrical socket outlets and appliances
Powerpoint RCD
In this type of RCD protection is inbuilt into a fixed socket outlet and it will provide protection to the equipment plugged into the outlet
Portable RCD This type of RCD is plugged into a fixed socket and it is suitable to monitor appliances in high-risk areas
Indirect contact
It is happed by the result of the contact of the person to the exposed conductive parts which would be made live by a fault condition and the contact with the earth potential
Direct contact
It is the result of simultaneous contact by the person or livestock with normally live parts and earth potential Protection from this can be done by the insulation of the live parts, use of barriers or enclosures protection by obstacles or protection by live parts out of reach
VOLTAGE INDEPENDENT RCD
This type of RCD uses the energy of the earth fault current to trip the mechanism directly the output from the sensing coil operates a magnetic relay and it releases the RCD mechanism independently of mains voltage
| category of electrical equipment that requires RCD protection | Example of electrical equipment |
|---|---|
| Handheld electrical equipment | Hairdryers and kitchen appliances |
| portable electrical equipment moved while in operation | Floor polisher, vacuum cleaner, portable lighting equipment |
| Electrical equipment that is moved between operations in such a manner that could damage the flexible supply lead or equipment | portable electronic whiteboards, overhead projectors, electrical plant used in factory type environments, welding machine, extension chords |
| Electrical equipment used for construction work | Handheld power tools and appliances, extension leads, portable lighting equipment |
| Electrical equipment that is used in hostile operating Environment | Electrical equipment used in wet or dusty areas, electrical equipment used outdoors, in kitchen, laboratories |