RCD Technical Guide EN

Technical guide | 2015
Protection against earth faults

with Residual Current Devices
Protection against earth fault
with Residual Current Devices
Introduction
2
3
Residual current protective devices
4
Solutions for protection against earth fault currents
5
Marks and approvals
6
Notes on installation and use
7
Choosing the proper differential protection
8
ABB, leading RCD technology
Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 1

Introduction
Index
1
Brief history 1/2
Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 1/1

Introduction
Brief history
1 The manufacturer has the responsability to issue a

self-certification, which states that the product has been
assessed and satisfies all health, safety and environmental
requirements of the Directives (European declaration
of conformity).
RCD’s assure a protection against fault current to earth in residential, commercial and indus-
trial applications, reduce the risk of death or serious injury when accidentally a person who is
grounded touches the energized part of the circuit and prevent the risk of fire caused by faulty
wiring or other appliances.
They are installed in the consumer unit (fusebox) and having a modern one fitted with RCD’s
can provide the best safety to people and installations.
The aims of this ABB technical guide are raising general awareness of electrical safety and
encouraging the upgrade of old installations with safer consumer units.
1/2 2CSC420004B0202 | Protection against earth faults with RCDs

ABB has always played a leading role in the development of Residual Current Devices, intro-
1
ducing ever more innovative devices in the market to comply with its increasing requirements.
Today, RCDs are widely used all over the world. They ensure high safety in the use of electrical
equipment.
It is not clear when and by whom the first RCD was developed, but it certainly appeared on the
market in the 1950s. It was initially used by some utility companies to fight “energy theft” who
used to drag some energy out of the line.
ABB built the first low sensitivity RCD in 1953 and a high sensitivity device in 1956. Residual
Current Devices were later adopted to protect people against electric shocks.
RCDs are now widely used in most of the world; in some cases this is mandatory, while in
others their use is optional.

1
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Index
Effects of current on the human body 2/2
Direct and indirect contact 2/4
Additional protection 2/7
2
Fire protection 2/8
Classification of electrical distribution systems 2/9

Effects of current on the human body
Injuries to people are caused by the current flow through the human body.
These effects are:
– tetanic contraction: the muscles affected by the current flow involuntary contract, making
letting go of conductive parts difficult. Note: very high currents do not usually induce tetanic
2
contraction because when the body touches such currents, the muscular contraction is so
strong that the involuntary muscle movements generally throw the subject away from the
conductor;
– respiratory arrest: if the current flows through the muscles controlling the respiratory sys-
tem, the involuntary contraction of these muscles alters the normal respiratory process and
the subject may die due to suffocation or suffer the consequences of traumas caused by
asphyxia;
– ventricular fibrillation: the most dangerous effect is due to the superposition of the external
currents with the physiological ones which, by generating uncontrolled contractions, induce
alterations of the cardiac cycle. This anomaly may become an irreversible phenomenon
since it persists even when the stimulus has ceased;
– burns: due to the heating deriving, by Joule effect, from the current passing through the
human body.
The IEC 60479-1 Standard “Effects of current on human beings and livestock” is a guide about
the effects of current flowing through the human body to be used for the definition of electrical
safety requirements. This Standard shows, on a time-current diagram, four zones (Figure 1) to
which the physiological effects of alternating current (15 – 100 Hz) passing through the human
body have been related. Such zones are illustrated in Table 1.
a b c1 c2 c3
10000
5000
DURATION OF THE CURRENT FLOW - t [ms]
2000
1000
500
1 2 3 4
200
100
50
20
10
0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000
CURRENT IN THE BODY - Ib [mA]
Figure 1: Time-current zones of the effects of alternating current on the human body
2/2 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

Zone Effects
1 Usually no reaction
2 Usually no harmful physiological effects
Usually no organic damage to be expected. Likelihood of cramp-like muscular contrac-

tions and difficulty in breathing; reversible disturbances of formation and conduction of
3
impulses in the heart, including atrial fibrillation and transient cardiac arrest without ven-
tricular fibrillation increasing with current magnitude and time
In addition to the effects of zone 3, the probability of ventricular fibrillation increases
up to about 5% (curve c2). 50% (curve c3) and above 50% beyond the curve c3.
4
Pathophysiological effects such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and severe burns
may occur, increasing with current magnitude and time
Table 1: Effects of alternating current on the human body
Electricity causes a “shock” in us because it is an outside force that interferes with the internal
electricity generated by our nervous system.
In scientific terms, electricity is considered a fundamental force, one that is extremely basic,
and has been existing since the beginning of time.
Unfortunately, since the human body consists primarily of water, is utterly conductive.
Any voltage that may be applied externally to our body can interfere and affect the ordinary
function of our system. The higher the voltage, the worse its effect.
An electric shock is the pathophysiological effect of an electric current through the human
body.
Its passage essentially affects the muscular, circulatory and respiratory functions and some-
times it results in serious burns. The dangerousness for the victim is a function of the magni-
tude of the current, the part of the body through which the current passes, and the duration of
current flow.
Curve C1 shows that when a current is greater than 30 mA and passes through a human being
from one hand to the feet, the person is likely to be killed, unless the current is interrupted in a
relatively short time.
The point 500 ms/100 mA close to the curve C1 corresponds to a probability of heart fibrilla-
tion equal to 0.14%.
Protection of people against electric shock must be provided for LV installations in conformity
with appropriate national standards and statutory regulations, codes of practice, official guides
and circulars, etc. Relevant IEC standards include: IEC 60364 series, IEC 60479 series, IEC
60755, IEC 61008 series, IEC 61009 series and IEC 60947-2.

Direct and indirect contact
There are two possible types of electric shocks:
Direct contact: an electric shock results from the contact with a conductor which belongs
to a circuit and it would be expected to be live.
2
For instance, if someone removes the plate from a switch and touches the live conductors
inside, an RCD with 30 mA sensitivity (or less) may offer protection.
Indirect contact: an electric shock is received from contact with something that is connected
to the electrical installation which normally is not expected to be live, but has become so as a
result of a fault.

Direct contact protection
It consists of making sure that people cannot touch live conductors. These methods include:
– insulation of live parts, this is the standard method.

2
– enclosures or barriers to prevent from touching
– placing parts out of reach or using obstacles to prevent people from reaching live parts.
This protection is reserved for locations in which only skilled or trained people have access to.

Direct and indirect contact
– the provision of residual current devices (RCDs) provides supplementary protection, but only
when contact is from a live part to an earthed part.
Indirect contact protection

The methods of protection against indirect contacts are classified as follows:
– protection by automatic disconnection of supply;
– protection without automatic disconnection of the circuit (double insulation, electrical sepa-
ration and local bonding);
– extra low voltage power supply.

Additional protection
An additional protection against the hazards of direct contact

is provided by the use of Residual Current Devices rated at 30
mA or less.
2
According to IEC 60364-4-41, additional protection by means of high sensitivity RCDs (IΔn ≤
30 mA) must be provided for circuits supplying sockets with a rated current ≤ 20 A in all loca-
tions and for circuits supplying mobile equipment with a rated current ≤ 32 A for use outdoors.
This additional protection is required in certain countries for circuits supplying sockets rated
up to 32 A and even higher if the location is wet and/or temporary(such as work sites, for
instance).
Why 30mA is the preferred value for IΔn?

High sensitivity RCDs (IΔn = 30mA) provide both protection against indirect contact hazards
and the additional protection against the dangers of direct contact.
They guarantee complete protection!

Fire protection
RCDs are very effective devices in providing protection against fire risk caused by insulation
faults because they can detect leakage currents (ex: 300 mA) that are too low for other protec-
tive devices, but strong enough to set a fire (i.e. overcurrent protection devices).
For TT and IT TN-S systems in which leakage current can appear, the usage of a 300 mA sen-
2
sitivity RCDs provides good protection against fire risk due to this type of fault.
Investigations have shown that the cost of the fire damages in industrial and tertiary buildings
can be very high.
This phenomenon shows that fire risk due to electricity is linked to overheating due to a poor
coordination between the maximum rated current of the cable (or insulated conductor) and the
overcurrent protection setting.
Overheating can also be generated by some modifications of the initial method of installation
(addition of cables on the same support).
This overheating can be the origin of electrical arcing in humid environments. That evolves
when the fault current-loop impedance is greater than 0.6 Ω and exist only when an insulation
fault occurs. Some tests have shown that a 300 mA fault current can cause a real risk of fire.
This problem raises in case of
Id << 300 mA
Humid dust
Beginning of fire
Some tests have shown that a very low leakage current (few mA) can evolve and, from 300
mA, it may set a fire in humid and dusty environments.

Classification of electrical distribution systems
The extent of the earth fault and the consequences deriving from touching live exposed-con-
ductors are specifically related to the neutral condition of the power system and to the different
types of earthing. As a consequence, to select the proper device for protecting against earth
faults, it is necessary to know the installation distribution system. The International Standard
2
IEC 60364-3 classifies electrical systems with the combination of two letters.
The first letter indicates the relationship of the power system to earth:
– T = direct connection to earth of one point, usually the neutral, in a.c. systems;
– I = all live parts isolated from earth or one point, usually the neutral, connected to earth
through an impedance.
The second letter indicates the relationship of the exposed conductors of the installation to
earth:
– T = direct electrical connection of exposed conductors to earth;
– N = direct electrical connection of the exposed conductors to the earthing point of the
power system.
Subsequent letters, if any, indicate the arrangement of neutral and protective conductors:
– S = neutral and protective functions provided by separate conductors
– C = neutral and protective functions combined in a single conductor (PEN conductor).
With reference to the definitions above, the main types of power systems are described below.

TT system
In TT systems the neutral and the exposed conductors are connected to electrically independ-
ent earth electrodes (Figure 1); therefore, the earth fault current returns to the power supply
node through the soil (Figure 2).
2
L1
L2
L3
N
RB RA
Figure 1
IK
L1
L2
L3
N
RB RA
IK
Figure 2
In this type of electrical installation, the neutral is usually distributed and its function is making
the phase voltage (e.g. 230 V) available for the supply of the single-phase loads of residential
installations.

TN system
In TN systems, the neutral is directly earthed, whereas the exposed conductors are connect-
ed to the same earthing arrangement of the neutral. TN electrical systems can be divided into
three types depending on whether the neutral and protective conductors are separate or not:
2
1. TN-S: the neutral conductor N and the protective conductor PE are separated (Figure 3)
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
Figure 3
2. TN-C: the neutral and protective functions are combined into a single conductor, called PEN
(Figure 4)
L1
L2
L3
PEN
Figure 4

3.TN-C-S: the neutral and protective functions are partially combined into a single PEN con-
ductor and partially separated PE + N (Figure 5).
2 L1
L2
L3
N
PE
TN-C TN-S
Figure 5
In TN systems, the earth fault current returns to the power supply node through a direct metal
connection (PE or PEN conductor) without practically affecting the earth electrode (Figure 6).
IK
L1
L2
L3
PEN
Figure 6

IT system
IT systems have no directly earthed active parts, but may have live parts connected to earth
through high impedances (Figure 7). All the exposed-conductive-parts, separately or in a
group, are connected to an independent earth electrode.
2
L1
L2
L3
Rt
Figure 7
The earth fault current returns to the power supply node through the earthing arrangement of
the exposed conductors and the line conductors earth capacities.
L1
L2
L3
C 3 C2 C 1
Figure 8 Rt
IK

Summarising:
Distribution system Main application Typical value of the fault currents Remarks
TT distribution systems are used

2 when assuring the distribution of
domestic installations and similar; the protective conductor (PE) is
TT small industries with LV power 10÷100 A impossible and when it is advisable
supply to leave to the user the respon-
sibility for the protection against
indirect contact
TN distribution systems are the

systems through which power sup-
industries and big installations with values similar to those of the sin- ply is distributed to users having
TN
MV power supply gle-phase fault their own transformer substation;
in these cases, the protective con-
ductor can be easily ensured
μA÷2 A dependent on the size of This type of system is particularly

the installation; in case of double suitable for the cases in which
chemical and petrochemical indu-
earth fault, the fault current takes service continuity must be assured
IT stries, i.e. plants for which service
values typical of TT ot TN systems since the presence of a first fault
continuity is fundamental
depending on the connection of does not cause high currents and/
the exposed conductors to earth or currents dangerous for people
Use of RCDs in different electrical distribution systems

– TN system. RCDs are mainly used in this system for protection against direct contact, and
they also provide protection against indirect contact. The rated residual operating current
of RCDs intended for protection against direct contact must not exceed 30mA. RCDs are
recommended for very long circuits on TN systems.
– TT system. The TT system differs from the TN-C-S system in that there is no connection
between the protective earth conductor (PE) and the neutral, and instead protection relies
on local earth electrodes. Resultant impedances in the earth return path between the load
and the origin of the supply may prevent the operation of overcurrent protection devices in
the event of an earth fault. This can result in bonded metalwork reaching voltages danger-
ous to the touch and also give rise to fire hazards due to the sustained flow of earth fault
currents if the overcurrent protection device fails to operate.
The use of RCDs on TT systems for earth fault protection is therefore compulsory in all
cases. RCDs are used to provide protection against Direct Contact and Indirect Contact in
TT systems.
– IT system. Generally used where continuity of supply is required. The use of IT systems is
confined to special applications such as hospital operating theatres, mines, etc., where con-
tinuity of supply under a first earth fault condition is of paramount importance. IT systems
are characterised by the absence of a direct connection of the supply to earth or connection
to earth via a relatively high impedance which negates the use of RCDs on such systems.
In IT system the first fault to earth should not cause any disconnections, while on the appa-
rance of the second fault a quick disconnection becames a must.
RCDs are suitable for disconnections in case of second faults.

Index
Reference standard for RCD use 3/2
Protection with RCDs 3/3
Standard of RCDs 3/7
Types of RCDs 3/8
Types of wave form detected by RCDs and classification 3/10
RCDs with or without switched neutral 3/13
3
Difference between voltage dependent and voltage independent 3/14
Marking on RCDs 3/16
Test button 3/17

Reference standard for RCDs use
Founded in 1906, the IEC (International Electrotechnical

Commission) is the world’s leading organization for the
preparation and publication of International Standards for
all electrical, electronic and related technologies. These are
known collectively as “electrotechnology”.
3
All IEC International Standards are fully consensus-based and represent the needs of key
stakeholders of every nation participating in IEC work. Every member has one vote and a say
in what goes into an IEC International Standard. IEC standards are recognised by almost all
countries in the world.
The IEC standard is covered in Europe by CENELEC (European Committee for Electrical
Standardisation) which publishes the relevant EN standards. Every nation, referring to the
CENELEC, transposes and translates EN standards into national standards.
Standard IEC 60364 “Electrical Installations for Buildings”

is today the main reference for Low-voltage electrical
installations around the world.
The requirements in term of protection remain its fundamental
basis.
The standard has been adopted by many countries, as-is or with local adaptations. Habits
and regulations differ widely from country to country. Internally, the standards are different in
Europe.
At present, Residual Current Devices are mandatory in almost all parts of the world.
International Electrotecnical
Commission:
IEC standard
European Committee for Elec-

trotecnical Standardisation:
EN standard
Every nation, referring to the

CENELEC, transposes and
translates EN standards into
national standards.

Protection with RCDs
TT system
According to IEC 60364-4 requirements, the protective devices must be coordinated with the
earthing arrangement.
IK
L1
L2 3
L3
N
RB RA Ik is the current causing

automatic operation of the
disconnecting devices
IK
Protection by automatic disconnection of the supply used in TT system is with RCDs of sensi-
tivity:
50 V
I Δn ≤
RA
Where:
– R A is the resistance of the earth electrode for the installation [Ω]
– I Δn is the rated residual operating current of the RCD
For temporary supplies (to work sites, …) and agricultural and horticultural premises, the value
of 50 V is replaced by 25 V.
The tripping times of RCDs are generally lower than those required in the majority of national
standards. The IEC 60364-4-41 specifies the maximum operating time of protective devices
used in TT system for protection against indirect contact as:
– For all final circuits with a rated current not exceeding 32 A, the maximum disconnecting
time will not exceed the values indicated here below:
Uo 1 [V] T [s]
50 < Uo ≤ 120 0.3
120 < Uo ≤ 230 0.2
230 < Uo ≤ 400 0.07
Uo > 400 0.04
1
Uo is the nominal phase to earth voltage

TN system
IK
L1
L2
L3
3
PEN
(TN-C) PE N (TN-S)
Ik is the current causing the

disconnecting devices
To provide a protection for TN systems with automatic disconnection of the circuit, according
to IEC 60364-4 requirements, the following condition shall be fulfilled:
Zs x Ia ≤ Uo
Where:
– Zs is the impedance of the fault loop comprising the source, the live conductor up to the
point of the fault and the protective conductor between the point of the fault and the source
[Ω];
– Uo is the nominal a.c. r.m.s. voltage to earth [V]
– I a is the current causing the automatic operation of the disconnecting protective device
IEC 60364-4-41 specifies the maximum operating time of protective devices used in TN sys-
tem for protection against indirect contact:
For all final circuits with a rated current not exceeding 32 A, the maximum disconnecting time
will not exceed the values indicated in the table below:
Uo 1 [V] T [s]
50 < Uo ≤ 120 0.8
120 < Uo ≤ 230 0.4
230 < Uo ≤ 400 0.2
Uo > 400 0.1
1

IT system (second fault)
L1
L2
L3
3
Ik is the current causing the

Ra Ra disconnecting devices
IK
A second earth fault on an IT system (unless occuring on the same conductor as the first fault)
results in a phase-phase or phase-to-neutral fault, and whether occurring on the same circuit
as the first fault, or on a different circuit, overcurrent protective devices would normally operate
an automatic fault clearance.
Ik = Ur / Rt
Where:
– Rt is the total resistance, equal to the sum of the earth electrode (Ra) and the protective
conductor for the exposed conductive parts [Ω];
– Ur is the rated voltage between phases [V]
Disconnecting times for IT system depends on how the different installation and substation
earth electrodes are interconnected.
For final circuits supplying electrical equipment with a rated current not exceeding 32 A and
having their exposed conductors bonded with the substation earth electrode, the maximum
tripping time is given in the table below:
Uo 1 [V] T [s]
50 < Uo ≤ 120 0.8
120 < Uo ≤ 230 0.4
230 < Uo ≤ 400 0.2
Uo > 400 0.1
1

Standards for electrical installations with RCDs

Standards Application Required Recommended RCD
IEC IΔn [mA] A/AC type B type
protection against electric shock 30...500 ■ ■

60364-4-41
socket outlets up to 20 A, outdoor installations 10...30 ■
3
60364-4-482 fire protection against special risks or hazards 30 and 300 ■ ■
60364-5-551 low-voltage power generating installations 10...30 ■
60364-7-701 rooms with bathtubs or showers, outlets in zone 3 10...30 ■
60364-7-702 swimming pools and other pools 10...30 ■
60364-7-703 rooms with cabins with sauna heating 10...30 ■
construction sites, socket outlet circuits up to ≤ 300 ■ ■

60364-7-704 32 A and for hand-held equipment, plug-and-sok-
ket devices up to In >32 A ≤ 500 ■ ■
≤ 300 ■
agricultural and general horticultural premises,
60364-7-705
socket outlet circuits
10...30 ■
conductive areas with limited freedom of move-

60364-7-706 10...30 ■
ment
electrical equipment on camping sites, each sok-
60364-7-708 10...30 ■
ket outlet individually
solar PV power supply systems (without a simple
60364-7-712 ≤ 300 ■
means of disconnection)

Standard of RCDs
The relevant standards covering RCD products are as follows:
– IEC 61008-1: Residual current operated circuit-breakers without integral overcurrent protec-
tion for household and similar uses (RCCBs) - General rules
– IEC 61009-1: Residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection
for household and similar uses (RCBOs) - General rules
3
– IEC 60947-2: Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear – Circuit Breakers
- Annex B, Circuit Breakers Incorporating Residual Current Devices
- Annex M, earth leakage relay
– IEC 62423 ed.2: Type F and type B residual current operated circuit-breakers with and with-
out integral overcurrent protection for household and similar uses
– IEC 62020: Electrical accessories - Residual current monitors for household and similar uses
(RCMs)
– IEC/TR 60755 ed 2: General requirements for residual current operated protective devices
– IEC/TR 62350: Guidance for the correct use of residual current-operated protective devices
(RCDs) for household and similar use

Types of RCDs
The following devices are all RCDs, equipped with additional functions and features, offering
cost effective solutions in different applications.
Residual Current Circuit breaker (RCCB)

This device is essentially a mechanical switch with the residual current tripping characteristic
attached to it. So basically it breaks the circuit only when there is a leakage current flowing to
earth. The tripping time is such as to minimise the risks for human life.
3
As RCCBs are unable to detect or respond to overcurrents or short circuits, they must be con-
nected in series with an overcurrent device such as a fuse or MCB (Miniature Circuit breaker).
This gives the RCCB and the rest of the circuit the protection required to respond to overcur-
rents or short circuits.
RCCBs usually have a fault making and breaking capacity of 1 kA. This means that they can
manage a fault of 1 kA on their own if it is a fault to earth. For overloads and line to neutral
short circuits, the Wiring Rules require additional devices to provide protection. The device
used for short circuit protection may improve the short circuit rating of the RCCB when they
operate together. This allows an RCCB rated at, for example, 1000 A to be used in circuits
where the actual fault level is higher than 1000 A.
In summary, RCCBs provide earth leakage protection, however a major point to remember
when applying them is that they must always be installed in conjunction with an appropriately
rated Short Circuit Protective Device (SCPD).
IΔn
Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overload protection (RCBO)

This is a residual current device that has an MCB embedded in it. Therefore RCBO is the
equivalent of an RCCB + MCB. The main functions that an RCBO is able to provide are:
(a) Protection against earth fault currents;
(b) Protection against overload and short-circuit currents
The best way to use an RCBO is to use one on each circuit, this way if one circuit exhibits a
fault it will not affect the other circuits. As the price of these devices is dropping year by year,
the RCBO is an effective way of protecting lives and the installation.
IΔn

Earth leakage relay
This kind of residual current device has been designed to satisfy the requirements of industry.
They suit three-phase circuits and high current loads. The residual current threshold and trip-
ping delay is often adjustable, thus allowing selectivity among different circuit breakers.
Earth leakage relays work in combination with a circuit breaker that opens the circuit in the
case of a circuit breaker ground fault.
Phase and neutral conductors go through a toroidal transformer, creating a magnetic field
3
proportional to its current.
In normal situations the vector sum of the currents is zero. In case of fault, the toroidal trans-
former detects the imbalance and sends a signal to the relay and compares it with the preset
threshold value. The output contact of the relay is turned on when the fault detected value is
higher than the preset threshold and lasts more than the preset tripping time value.
Earth leakage relay can be classified according to IEC 62020 or in the first case the relay is
suitable for “monitoring” the circuit and providing information about the network’s insulation.
In the second case the relay is appropriate to protect people against the effect of electric
shock hazards.
According to new Annex M of IEC 60947-2, the Manufacturer of residual current relays hmust
check and guarantee protection performance for the entire chain, composed by toroidal trans-
former+ relay+ shunt trip + circuit breakers.
In addition, they can be used only with circuit breakers certified by the manufacturer, who is
responsible for the tripping time, considering the entire chain of components.
The devices according to this new standard are tested by the factory in “ready to use” configu-
ration and they can make easier the installers’ work easier.
IΔn

Types of wave form detected by RCDs and classification
Residual current protective devices are distinguished from one another in respect of their suita-
bility for detecting different forms of residual current.
Below is a table giving RCD classification according to the waveform of the earth leakage
currents:
– Type AC,sensitive to alternating current only
– Type A, sensitive to alternating and/or pulsating current with DC components
– Type B to provide protection in case of alternating residual sinusoidal currents up to 1.000
3
Hz, pulsating direct residual currents and smooth direct residual currents
– Type F, with rated frequency 50 Hz or 60 Hz are intended for installations when frequency
inverters are supplied between phase and neutral or phase and earthed middle conductor
and are able to provide protection in case of alternating residual sinusoidal at the rated fre-
quency, pulsating direct residual currents and composite residual currents that may occur.
Proper functionning of residual current

protective devices of type
Current Tripping
AC A F B
waveform current
■ ■ ■ ■ 0.5 to 1.0 IΔn
– ■ ■ ■ 0.35 to 1.4 IΔn
Current delay angle 90°:

– ■ ■ ■
0.25 to 1.4 IΔn
Current delay angle 135°:

– ■ ■ ■
0.11 to 1.4 IΔn
– ■ ■ ■ max. 1.4 IΔn + 6 mA
– – ■ ■ max. 1.4 IΔn + 10 mA
– – ■ ■ 0.5 to 1.4 IΔn
– – – ■ 0.5 to 2.0 IΔn
Current frequency 150 Hz

– – – ■
0.5 to 2.4 IΔn

– – – ■
0.5 to 6 IΔn

– – – ■
0.5 to 14 IΔn

AC type RCDs are suitable for all systems where users have sinusoidal earth current. They are
not sensitive to impulsive leakage currents up to a peak of 250 A (8/20 wave form) such as
those which may occur due to overlapping voltage impulses on the mains (e.g.: switching of
fluorescent bulbs, X-ray equipment, data processing systems and SCR controls).
A type RCDs are not sensitive to impulsive currents up to a peak of 250 A (8/20 wave form).
They are particularly suitable for protecting systems in which the user equipment has electron-
3
ic devices for rectifying the current or phase cutting adjustment of a physical quantity (speed
temperature, light intensity etc.) supplied directly by the mains without the insertion of trans-
formers and class I insulated (class II is, by definition, free of faults to earth).These devices may
generate a pulsating fault current with DC components which the A type RCD can recognise.
In addition to detecting residual current waveforms of type A, residual current protective devic-
es of type B are used to detect smooth DC residual currents. type B RCDs are recommended
for use with drives and inverters for supplying motors for pumps, lifts, textile machines, ma-
chine tools etc., since they recognise a continuous fault current with a low level ripple.
Tripping values defined up to 100 kHz.
Type AC and A RCDs comply with IEC 61008/61009; type B for RCDs is not mentioned in
these reference standards: an international standard, IEC 62423, has been introduced in 2007,
specifying additional requirements for type B RCDs.
This new standard, IEC 62423, should only be referred to together with IEC 61008-1 (for
RCCBs) and IEC 61009-1 (for RCD-blocks and RCBOs), this means that B type RCDs must be
compliant with all the requirements of IEC 61008/9.
In addition there are other two type of RCDs according to the wave form of the earth leakage
currents:
– Type F
– Type B+
Type F RCDs are for loads with single-phase inverters and similar equipment (e.g. modern
washing machines), as an extension of type A.
or type F RCDs, additional tests have been added to those for type A, in order to simulate the
ground fault in presence of a single phase inverter.
Type F is characterised by a strong immunity to unwanted tripping.
Type F RCDs are not sensitive to impulsive currents up to a peak of 3,000A (8/20 wave form).
Type F RCDs give better protection with the spread of modern electronic appliances in domes-
tic installations, where type A RCDs could not properly cover them. It effectively fixes, in an
“official” way, the problem of unwanted tripping with a non-selective RCD.
In IEC 61008-1 and IEC 61009-1 (RCDs for housholder and similar applications) only type AC
and A RCDs are covered, types F and B are not mentioned. IEC 62423 ed. 2 covers both type
F and B RCDs and it can only be used together with IEC 61008-1 and IEC 61009-1.
At the moment, type B+ are only introduced in a DIN VDE 0664-100 specification applicable
in Germany. Like type B residual current protection devices, type B+ residual current protec-
tion devices are suitable for use in alternating current systems. Tripping conditions for type B+
residual current protection devices are defined at up to 20 kHz and lie within this frequency
range below a tripping value of 420 mA. Type B+ are mostly used to prevent fire protection risk
as they are recommended by the Association of German Insurance Companies.

Types of wave form detected by RCDs and classification
In summary, to choose the right type of Residual current device, two different aspects must be
considered:
1)The type of protection required:
Type of protection
3 Type of RCD protection against indirect additional protection protection against fire risk
contacts (if Idn < 30 mA) (if Idn < 300 mA)
(if Idn is coordinated with
ground system)
AC ■ ■ ■
A ■ ■ ■
F ■ ■ ■
B ■ ■ ■
A S (selective) ■ ■
B S (selective) ■ ■
2)The type of fault current wave form:
Types of wave form detected by RCDs

Type of RCD alternating alternating pulsating multifrequency multifrequency
current current up to current with DC current current
50/60Hz 1000 Hz components generated by generated by
the single-pha- the three-pha-
se inverter se inverter
AC ■
A ■ ■
F ■ ■ ■
B ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
A S (selective) ■ ■
B S (selective) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

RCDs with or without switched neutral
Advantage of RCDs with switched neutral

If a neutral to earth fault occurs in a circuit fed thorugh an RCBO with a solid neutral which is
backed up by an upstream selective RCD, the selectivity or discrimination will be lost and the
main RCD will also trip as it will still detect the fault which has not been resolved.
The main requirements of RCD protection are:
– Additional protection against direct contact with live parts
– Protection against direct connection with live parts
3
– Protection against fire in the case of a fault to earth
If a fault occurs between neutral and earth where a solid RCBO is protecting a circuit, the
RCBO will trip. However, as previously stated, the fault will still be in the circuit within the rest
of the istallation.
A the neutral will be common thorough the installation, it is possible that current could still flow
through the fault and lead to a fire hazard. This would mean that the RCBO would not offer full
protection against fire and therefore does not comply with one of its main protection require-
ments.
Testing of outgoing circuits is easier with RCBOs incorporating a switched neutral as an electri-
cian does not have to disconnect terminals before testing.
DS271: example of RCBO wi

without switched neutral DS201 and DSN201: examples of RCBO with switched
(solid neutral) neutral

Difference between voltage dependent and voltage independent
Voltage Independent RCD

Voltage independent RCDs use the energy of the earth fault current to trip the mechanism
directly. In this type of RCD, the output from the sensing coil operates a specially constructed
magnetic relay and so releases the RCD mechanism, independently of the mains voltage.
Voltage independent RCDs normally use a polarised (field weakening) relay construction.
This operates by cancellation of the permanent magnetic flux (which holds the relay ON) by the
excitation flux (produced by the fault current).This can only occur in one half-cycle of the a.c.
3
supply because the magnetic flux will be reinforced in the other half cycle. Operating times can
vary from 20 to 120 ms at rated tripping current.
Voltage Dependent RCD

Voltage dependent RCDs generally employ an electronic amplifier to provide an enhanced
signal from the sensing coil to operate a trip solenoid or relay. RCDs of this type are defined as
“voltage dependent” because they rely on a voltage source, derived from the mains supply, or
an auxiliary supply, the amplifier with power. The basic principle of operation is, however, the
same as voltage independent RCDs.
What are the advantages of voltage independent RCDs?

Loss of neutral
The loss of neutral may happen for several reasons and it can occur anywhere (unless we are
in a TN-C system!), both in multiphase and phase to neutral supply lines.
The causes of unwanted interruptions to the neutral conductor can be: defective breakers that
do not close the neutral pole properly, loose connections, works on electrical lines or nearby
electrical conductors etc.
In case of loss of the neutral, hazardous voltage is still present but voltage dependent RCDs
cannot trip in case of fault, with risk for human life.
It is commonly said that the probability of loss of the neutral is negligible. Cenelec has pre-
pared a new standard for a new kind of protective device: protection against power frequency
overvoltages (POP devices), that are mainly caused by the loss of neutral in the upstream
three-phase supply. This kind of protection has been asked vividly by public utilities and by a
raising awareness of the market itself.
Generally, it is said that loss of neutral conductor in a phase to neutral network is not a risk
because nothing works, and even unskilled users understand that something is wrong with it
and an electrician must be called. This is not true. Firstly because an unskilled user can believe
that, if the installation is without supply, it is in a very safe condition, while it is not. Secondly,
because in an installation you can have separate RCDs for several terminal circuits (as request-
ed in some new national rules) and every appliance works correctly except a single one (e.g.
washing machine), that is not protected and it is in a dangerous state. A voltage independent
RCD is able to detect a fault current also in the absence of neutral. For all these reasons, ABB
warns not to underrate risks concerning electrical installation and it is committed to provide
the best solutions in terms of safety, reliability and operational continuity.
Loss of a wire for multi-phase RCD

This case is worse than the previous one.
The probability of interruption of the “wrong” phase conductor and/or neutral conductor is
much higher than the loss of the neutral conductor only. Voltage dependent RCDs cannot trip,
while loads supplied by not interrupted conductors will work properly. The user cannot see any
evidence of the problem. This situation is extremely deceptive!

Undervoltage of supply lines
According to the present standard, voltage dependent RCDs are required to work with a mini-
mum voltage of 85% of the rated supply voltage.
Undervoltages can be caused by different reasons.
If the supply voltage falls to a value lower than the operating value of the voltage dependent
RCD and greater than a dangerous level (50 V), the RCD will not trip but the risk of dangerous
faults is present. Voltage independent RCDs work properly regardless of the actual supply
3
voltage.
ADDITIONAL TOPICS:
Transient overvoltages (or power frequency overvoltages, see above, POP device)
This kind of overvoltage can damage voltage dependent RCDs.
Voltage independent RCDs do not have problems with transient overvoltages.
Are voltage dependent RCDs less subject to unwanted tripping?

Unwanted tripping of RCDs is a problem which is increasing all over the world for a lot of dif-
ferent reasons.
According to ABB’s experience in countries where voltage dependent RCDs are common, this
kind of RCD also has this problem. In product standards for RCD, tests against unwanted trip-
ping are the same both for voltage dependent and voltage independent RCDs.
All the principal manufacturers have developed special voltage independent RCDs with ex-
tremely high immunity against unwanted tripping. In the ABB catalogue, these RCDs are called
“APR” type. According to our long experience, APR RCDs can eliminate 99.9% of unwanted
tripping! Unfortunately there is not a classification in IEC or EN standards for these RCDs (the
only exception is in Austrian national standard: they are called “Type G”).
Voltage dependent RCDs have a power dissipation even without any load (this is similar
to “standby” power dissipation)
Even if this power dissipation seems to be very low, it is not negligible, especially if you have
several voltage dependent RCDs in the installation. This is not in line with modern philosophy
of energy saving which avoids any unnecessary power consumption.
– With a few exceptions, in countries where voltage dependent RCDs are commonly used, the
earthing system of public distribution is TN. In TN systems, earth fault current is very high
as a short circuit current. So, if for any reason an RCD does not trip, the earth fault current
makes the overcurrent protection (MCB or fuse) trip. In TT and IT systems, the earth fault
current is low and only RCDs can break it.
– In IEC 61008/9 product standard for RCDs, voltage dependent RCDs are not included. In
fact IEC 61008/9 is composed by Part 1 (general requirements) and by two Parts 2: 2.1
(voltage independent RCDs), and 2.2 (voltage dependent RCDs). Part 2.2 does not exist as
an EN standard. As Part 1 cannot be used without Part 2.1 or Part 2.2, only voltage inde-
pendent RCDs are included in IEC 61008/9.

Marking on RCDs
Each RCCB must be marked with a lot of technical data. The typical features that must be
marked on devices, according to the Standards, are:
– Rated operational voltage (Ue): the rated operational voltage of a RCCB is the value of the
voltage, assigned by ABB, to which its performance is referred.
– Rated current (In): the value of current, assigned to the RCCB by ABB, which the RCCB can
carry in uninterrupted duty.
– Rated residual operating current (IΔn): the value of residual operating current assigned to
3
the RCCB, at which the RCCB shall operate under specified conditions.
– Rated frequency: the rated frequency of a RCCB is the power frequency for which the
RCCB is designed and to which the values of the other characteristics correspond.
– Rated making and breaking capacity (Im): The r.m.s. value of the a.c. component of pro-
spective current which a RCCB can make, carry and break under specified conditions.
An example of a RCCB: F202 AC 25/0,03
Manufacturer’s name
CPI: Contact Position Indicator

Test button
Rated current
Rated residual operating current [IΔn]
Rated voltage [Un]
Rated making and breaking capacity [Im]
Wiring diagram
ABB identity number

Test button
To check if you have RCD protection in you consumer unit, look to see if there is a device with
a pushbutton marked ‘T’ or ‘Test’. This ‘test’ button is part of an RCD.
If you have an RCD, you should check that it is functioning properly by pushing the test button
periodically. When tested, the RCD should switch off the power to the areas of the home it
protects.
The RCDs in your consumer unit may not cover everything in your home, such as the lighting
3
circuits, so it is a good idea to check - while the RCD is off - which sockets and lights are no
longer working, showing that they are protected by that RCD.
Switch the RCD back on to restore the supply.
If your RCD does not switch off the electricity supply to the protected circuits when the test
button is pressed, or if it does not reset, get advice from a registered electrician.
If you do not have RCD protection fitted in your consumer unit, it is strongly suggested to
protect yourself by contacting an installer to ask for it because if you damage a hidden cable
when fixing something to a wall, you won’t be protected against electric shock unless you
have an RCD in your consumer unit protecting that circuit.
0
1

3

Index
ABB’s range 4/2
ABB RCDs with special versions 4/8

ABB’s range
In most electrical systems, reliable and safe protection is implemented by combining the pro-
tection functions against overcurrent with those against earth faults, together with an effective
earthing arrangement.
This choice, aside from protection against indirect contact, also provides reliable and time-
ly protection against earth faults of small value where prevention from fire risks is absolutely
necessary.
The proper choice of protection devices must provide for tripping selectivity against earth
faults as well as that against overcurrents.
In order to fulfil the requirements for adequate protection against earth faults, ABB SACE has
designed the following product categories:
4
– RCBOs (residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection)
DS201-DS202C series with rated current from 6 A up to 40 A;
– RCCBs (residual current circuit-breakers) F200 type, with rated current from 16 A to 125 A.
– RCBOs (residual current operated circuit-breakers with integral overcurrent protection)
DS200 with rated current from 6A up to 63A;
– RCD blocks (residual current blocks) DDA 200 type to be coupled with type S200 thermal
magnetic circuit-breakers with rated current from 0.5 A to 63 A;
– RCD blocks (residual current blocks) DDA 800 type to be coupled with type S800B, S800N
and S800S thermal magnetic circuit-breakers with rated current up to 100 A. These blocks
are available in two sizes: 63 A and 100 A;
DDA200 DDA800
IΔn [A]
S200 0.5÷63 ■ –
S800 6÷100 – ■
– The RD DIN rail series are residual current relays with an external toroidal transformer can
detect leakage currents and it is possible to set selectivity and intervention time.
– The ELR series are front panel residual current relays. ELR allows monitoring and protection
of the low voltage distribution network through the use of toroidal transformers.
– Electronic RCBOs series DS271, DSN201. In only one module width, these DIN rail residual
current circuit-breakers with overcurrent protection offer a technologically advanced and
comprehensive range with outstanding features, sizes, tripping characteristics and accesso-
ries.

RCBOs: DS201-D202C series
To meet the demand for devices capable of realising complete protection of modern plant
circuits, ABB expands the offering of its System pro M compact ® with new residual current
circuit-breakers with overcurrent protection, both available in two modules DS201 (1 phase +
neutral) and DS202C (2 phases).
The DS201 series replaces the current range of 1P+N RCBOs and combines protection
against overcurrent and earth fault currents in a single device. The range is available in three
versions: DS201 L (with 4.5 kA breaking capacity), DS201 (with 6 kA breaking capacity) and
DS201 M (with 10 kA breaking capacity), in compliance with the IEC 61009 standard.
The DS202C series combines protection against earth-fault current and overcurrent in a single
4
device, guaranteeing high breaking capacities (6 kA with DS202C and 10 kA with DS202C M),
in compliance with the IEC 61009 standard.
Residual current circuit breakers with overcurrent protection

Standard IEC 61009
Family name DS201 - DS202C
Number of poles 1p+N, 2P
Rated current [A] 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40
Sensitivity [mA] 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000
Type A, AC, APR
Breaking capacities Icn [A] 4500 (DS201 L)
6000 (DS201 - DS202C)
10000 (DS201 M - DS202C M)
Tripping curves B, C, K
RCCBs: F200 series

RCCBs F200 are suitable in many fields from residential to commercial.
They offer protection from indirect contact and, thanks to the availability of 10 and 30 mA sen-
sitivities, they ensure additional protection against direct contact.
The availability of high rated currents (80,100 and 125 A) also makes F200 RCCBs suitable for
industrial applications.
RCCBs (residual current circuit breakers)

Standard IEC 61008
Family name F200
Number of poles 2P, 4P
Rated current [A] 16, 25, 40, 63, 80, 100, 125
Sensitivity [mA] 10, 30, 100, 300, 500
Type A, AC, B, B+, APR (A), Selective (A, B, B+)
Special versions 400 Hz, 16 2/3 Hz, B PV

ABB’s range
RCBOs: DS200 series

RCBOs combine protection against both earth-fault currents and overloads or short-circuits in
a single device. DS200 series are mainly used in commercial/industrial applications.

Standard IEC 61009
Family name DS202 - DS203 - DS204
Number of poles 2P, 3P, 4P
Rated current [A] 6, 10, 13, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63
4 Sensitivity [mA] 30
Type A, AC
Breaking capacities Icn [A] 6000 (DS202 - DS203 - DS204)
10000 (DS202M - DS203M - DS204M)
Tripping curves B, C, K
RCD blocks: DDA200 series

DDA200 blocks fit on the left-hand side of S200 MCBs allowing complete accessorisation for
the MCB.
RCDs blocks
Standard IEC/EN 61009 Annex G
Family name DDA200
Rated current [A] 25, 40, 63
Sensitivity [mA] 10, 30, 100, 300, 500, 1000, 2000
Type A, AC, B, APR (A), Selective (A, B)
Special versions AE (emergency stop), 110 V and 400 V (A and AC type)
To be used in conjunction with S200 MCBs (with equal or lower rated current)

RCD blocks: DDA 800 series
For assembly with MCBs S800 B, S800 N and S800 S the DDA 800 RCD blocks are availa-
ble in the following types: AC, A, A selective and A APR (RCD-blocks resistant to unwanted
tripping).
RCDs blocks
Standard IEC 90947-2 Annex B
Family name DDA800
Rated current [A] 63, 100 4
Sensitivity [mA] 30, 300, 500, 1000
Type A, AC, APR (A), Selective (A)
To be used in conjunction with S800 MCBs (with equal or lower rated current)
Residual current relays: RD series

RD2 RESIDUAL CURRENT MONITORS
RD2 residual current relay with external toroidal transformer is able to detect leakage current.
It is possible to set sensitivity and intervention time.
According to the IEC 62020 Standard, this relay is “Type A”.
Residual current relays with external toroids

Standard IEC 62020
Family name RD2
Sensitivity from 30 mA up to 2 A
Intervention time settings from 0 s (instantaneous) up to 5 s
Features Test push-button
Reset push-button
Green “ON” LED that signals power supply presence
Red “TRIP” LED that signals relay operation
1 output contact
Rated supply voltage RD2: 230...400 V a.c.
RD2-48: 48...150 V a.c./d.c.

ABB’s range
RD3 RESIDUAL CURRENT RELAY

RD3 provides residual current protection according to IEC/EN 60947-2 Annex-M.
They can be used in conjunction with all S200 automatic devices and Tmax range moulded
case circuit breakers up to T5.
RD3 has two different output contacts in order to give indications about residual current sta-
tus.

Standard IEC 60947-2 Annex M
4 Family name RD3

Sensitivity from 30 mA up to 30 A
Intervention time settings from 0 s (instantaneous) up to 10 s
Features Test push-button
Reset push-button
Green “ON” LED that signals power supply presence
Red “TRIP” LED that signals relay operation
2 output contacts
Rated supply voltage RD3: 230...400 V a.c.
RD3-48: 12...48 V a.c./d.c.
Three different products belong to the RD3 family

RD3 two output contacts, remote reset, removable terminals (plug-in)
RD3 M like RD3 + pre-alarm setting + frequency filter
RD3 P like RD3 M + IDn% LED bar + autoreset setting + no trip test function
Front panel residual current relays: ELR series

Front panel residual current relays are electronic devices used in combination with an external
toroidal transformer. They are according to the protection standard IEC 60947-2 Annex-M.

ELR48P ELR72 ELR72P ELR96 ELR96P ELR96PF ELR96PD
Operating voltage [V] 24, 48, 24, 48, 24, 48, 24, 48, 24, 48, 110, 230, 110, 230,
110, 230 110, 230 110, 230 110, 110, 400 a.c. 400 a.c.
a.c./ a.c./ a.c./ 230, 400 230, 400
24, 48, 24, 48, 24, 48, a.c./ a.c./
115 d.c. 110 d.c. 115 d.c. 24, 48 24, 48
d.c. d.c.
Frequency filter - - - - - Yes Yes
Type A
Sensitivity setting [A] from 0.03 to 30
IΔn
Tripping time [s] from 0 to 5
setting Δt
Contacts [no.] 2 1 2 1 2 2 2
Contact capacity [A] 5 (250 V a.c.)
Dimensions [mm] 48x48 72x722 72x72 96x96 96x96 96x96 96x96
Digital display - - - - - - Yes
Standards IEC 60947-2 Annex M

Electronic RCBOs: DS271, DSN201 series
ABB offer an electronic 1P+N RCBO in one module width.
This product combines a voltage dependent residual current device and overcurrent protection
in one module width. The contact configuration consists of a switched pole and a let-through
(solid) neutral. The neutral is not sectioned. This product has functional earth wiring. Supply
must be on the bottom side by means of a terminal (for the phase) and via cable for the neu-
tral. Load side is on the top of the device.
The neutral supply cable is blue and the FE cable is white.
DS271
4
Standard IEC 61009, BSEN 61009-2-2
Family name DS271
Number of poles 1P+N
Rated current [A] 6, 10, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40
Sensitivity [mA] 10, 30, 100, 300
Type A, AC
Breaking capacities Icn [A] 10000
Tripping curves B, C
DSN201
Standard IEC 61009, AS/NZS 61009-1
Family name DSN201
Number of poles 1P+N
Rated current In [A] 6...25
Sensitivity IΔn [mA] 10, 30
Type A, AC
Breaking capacities, to IEC IEC 61009-1 Icn [A] 6000
Tripping curves C
L1 N L1 N
Electronic
trip unit
IF
FE

Solutions for protection against earth fault current
ABB RCDs with special versions
The increasing usage of power electronics embedded in earthed devices may generate leak-
age currents that include a significant direct current or high frequency component that may
affect the reliability of standard type AC or type B residual current devices.
In order to get through this, type B residual current devices were introduced. They can assure
higher protection levels with the maximum operational continuity under whatever working con-
dition. For this reason, type B RCDs are considered universal devices because they provide
protection against all the tripping waveforms listed in the Standards EN 62423
Type B RCDs are suitable for non-linear circuits that are able to generate leakages with high di-
rect current (higher than 6 mA) and/or high frequency components. The main circuits that shall
be considered responsible for such leakages are:
4
– Single-phase or poly-phase rectifiers
– Rectifiers with high levelling capacity
– Rectifiers with active correction of the power factor
– Continuous voltage generator with no separation from a.c. networks (es. pannelli fotovoltaici)
– inverter at variable frequency
The main loads that include the above mentioned circuits are:
– motor starters at variable frequency with three-phase supply (industrial machine, lifts and
elevators,…)
– Photovoltaic plants
– UPS
– Recharging stations for electrical vehicles
– Frequency converter,
– Radiological machines (TAC, RMN,…)
RCDs against unwanted tripping

APR type RCDs fit all applications where it is necessary to ensure safety and continuity of sup-
ply while preventing unwanted tripping.
Tripping should be considered “unwanted” when the RCD trips without presence of an earth
fault current or direct contact of a person with the live part.
Typical causes of unwanted RCD tripping could be:
– presence of leakage current with modest value but with high level of harmonics or high
frequency;
– presence of transient impulsive currents (e.g. usually caused opening and closing of capaci-
tive or inductive loads);
– overvoltages caused by lightning;
– transient impulsive currents added to permanent leakage currents already present (eg.
caused by electronic devices).
According to IEC/TR 62350 (“Guidance for the correct use of residual current-operated protec-
tive devices (RCDs) for household and similar”), the recommended solutions are:
– “installation” solution: split the installation into several different circuits, each of them pro-
tected by an RCD
– “product” solution: select RCDs which are more resistant to unwanted tripping, like ABB
APR type RCDs
APR is more than ten times more resistant to unwanted tripping than standard types (both AC
and A).
Selective types are more resistant than APR types but they cannot be made with sensitivity
less than 100mA! (no additional protection against direct contact).
Instantaneous APR Selective

Resistance to unwanted tripping caused by overvoltage
(operation or atmospheric) 250 3000 5000
Peak value for 8/20μs “pulse wave”

Selective (type S) RCDs
Selective RCDs have a delayed tripping action and are installed upstream of other rapid residu-
al current operated circuit-breakers to guarantee selectivity and limit the power out only to the
portion of the system affected by a fault. The tripping time is not adjustable. It is set according
to a predetermined time – current characteristic with an intrinsic delay for small currents, tend-
ing to disappear as the current grows.
IEC 61008 and 61009 establish the tripping times relative to the type of RCD and the IΔn.
Type AC In [A] IΔ [A] Tripping times (s) x currents

1xIΔ 1xIΔ 1xIΔ 500 A 4
Generic any any 0.3 0.15 0.04 0.04
S (selective) any > 0.030 0.13-0.5 0.06-0.2 0.05-0.15 0.04-0.15
The indicated maximum tripping times are also valid for A type RCDs, but increasing the cur-
rent values by a factor of 1.4 for RCDs with IΔn > 0.01 A and of factor 2 for RCDs with IΔn ≤
0.01
The range of ABB RCDs also includes APR (anti-disturbance) devices which trip according to
the limit times allowed by the Standards for instantaneous RCDs. This function is due to the
slight tripping delay (approx. 10 ms) relative to the standard instantaneous ones.
The graph shows the comparison of the qualitative tripping curves for:
– a 30 mA instantaneous RCD
– a 30 mA APR instantaneous RCD
– a 100 mA selective RCD (type S)
T (s)
0,5
0,3
0,2
0,15
0,13 APR 30 mA Selective 300 mA
0,10
0,06
Tripping time
0,05
0,04
0,01
Instantaneous 30 mA
0 Idn (mA)
30 60 100 150 300 600 1500
Ist. 30 mA Idn 2 x Idn 5 x Idn

Sel. 300 mA Idn 2 x Idn 5 x Idn

RCD-blocks type AE
Emergency stop using DDA 200 AE series RCD-blocks
The AE series RCD-block combines the protection supplied by the RCBOs with a positive safe-
ty emergency stop function for remote tripping.
In the AE version, the DDA 200 AE series RCD-blocks are available.
Operating principle (patented)

Two additional primary circuits powered with the same voltage and equipped with the same re-
sistance have been added to the transformer; under normal conditions the same current would
flow through, but since they are wound by the same number of coils in opposite directions they
4
cancel each other out and do not produce any flow.
One of these two windings acts as the remote control circuit: the emergency stop is obtained
by interrupting the current flow in this circuit.
The positive safety is therefore obvious: an accidental breakage in the circuit is equivalent to
operating an emergency control button.
Advantages
Compared with the devices which are normally used in emergency circuits, DDA 200 AE
blocks have the following advantages:
– positive safety
– no unwanted tripping if there is a temporary reduction or interruption of the mains voltage
– efficient immediate operation even after long off-service periods of the installation
Use
Application of the DDA 200 AE blocks complies with the requirements of IEC 60364-8. They
are therefore suitable, for example, for escalators, lifts, hoists, electrically operated gates, ma-
chine tools, car washes and conveyor belts.
No more than one DDA 200 AE can be controlled using the same control circuit. Each DDA
200 AE requires a dedicated control circuit.
L max
1 2 3 n
W ≥ 1.5 mm
2
4
2
NAE Y1Y2
RAE/2 RAE/2
1 5
RAE/2 RAE/2
NAE DDA202 A AE L max = 230 m

DDA203 A AE L max = 60 m
3
DDA204 A AE L max = 230 m
6
1 Polarised relay
2 Sensor winding
3 Induction toroid
4 Supplementary primary windings
5 Single or multiple push-button unit
6 Test button

RCDs for 50-400 Hz
At 400 Hz frequency, a standard F200 has an effective residual current value of more than 3
times its rated residual current; this is due to an increase of the magnetic reluctance of the
toroidal transformer caused by an increasing frequency.
ABB offers the F200 400 Hz that can be used in networks up to 400 Hz (typical in some airport
areas) while keeping its rated sensitivity.
RCDs with neutral on left side

In case of a three-phase system without neutral with concatenate voltage between phases of
230 V or 400 V, ABB offers F204 with neutral on the left where it is sufficient to connect the 3
phases normally (supply to terminals 1/2 3/4 5/6 and load to terminals 2/1 4/3 6/5) to have a
perfectly working RCD.
The test button circuit of these RCCBs is wired inside the device between terminal 3/4 and 5/6
and has been sized for an operating voltage between 195 V and 440 V.
RCCBs, particularly in Germany, are normally placed at the left of the miniature circuit breakers
but have the N-conductor on the right. This causes problems with regard to integrated busbar
connection. RCCBs in conjunction with miniature circuit breakers therefore require a special
busbar. In order to make it possible to use standard busbars whenever required, four-pole
RCCBs with the N-conductor on the left are also available.
The habit of installing the RCCB on the left of the miniature circuit breakers and using standard
busbar connections can thus be maintained.
Neutral on the left: standard busbar can be used Neutral on the right: special busbar required
N N
Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC 420 004 B0201 4/11
RCD blocks with 110V and 400V

Special version of RCD blocks to assemble on site with S 200 series MCBs. Special version
are available with protection against the effects of sinusoidal alternating and/or direct pulsat-
ing earth fault currents, protection against indirect contacts and additional protection against
direct contacts (with IΔn=30 mA).
DDA200 110 V is a particular RCD-block with voltage range for test button Ut = 110-245 V.
RCD blocks work for naval applications where the IT system is typically used and the voltage
between the phase and the neutral conductor is 115 - 125 V. DDA200 110 V (Ut = 110-245 V)
are suitable for naval applications.
A special 400 V version is also available in the two-pole version for two-phase industrial sys-
4
tems where voltage between phases is 400 V.
Applications: naval, industrial.
RCDs 16 2/3Hz
F200 16 2/3 Hz are suitable for in distribution networks with frequency of 16 2/3 Hz: this kind
of network was developed at the beginning of 20th century for electrical traction systems
and is currently adopted in some European countries (e.g. Switzerland, Germany, Norway etc.)

Markings and approvals
Index
ABB RCDs 5/2

ABB RCDs
All ABB RCDs and their accessories comply with international product Standards IEC 61008,
IEC 61009 and UL 1053.
Consequently they are tested according to the standard IEC 61543, for electromagnetic com-
patibility of RCDs for household and similar use.
They also conform to the following EC directives:

– Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC
– EMC Directive 2004/108/EC
The quality mark is an additional guarantee that the product is compliant with safety standards.
This is issued by a third-party authority that authorises the marking on the product by issuing
the necessary certificate. The approvals obtained must be carried on the certified product,
clearly displayed with the technical features of the product.
5
The CE marking is a mark that must be affixed to certain types of products in order to verify
the compliance to all Community directives.
The manufacturer has the responsability to issue a self-certification, which states that the
product has been assessed and satisfies all health, safety and environmental requirements of
the Directives (European declaration of conformity).
AMERICA
Country Approval
Canada CSA
United States UL
Argentina IRAM
Brazil UCIEE
Naval approval
Country Approval
United States ABS
ASIA OCEANIA
Country Approval
Taiwan BSMI
China CCC
India BIS-ISI
Singapore PSB
Malaysia SIRIM
Australia OFT
New Zeeland OFT

At international level there are relevant differences between the laws that rule the approvals:
there is the principle of territoriality of national marks, meaning the effects of registration of a
trade mark extends only to the territory of the state which has granted it.
Generally speaking a company submits the range of product that needs to be approved to
a recognized institution. The products withstand the tests foreseen by the Standards and, in
case of positive result, they issue a CB certificate and the approval.
By the mean of the CB certificate other approval company can acknowledge the request of
the manufacturer without carrying out additional tests. This is meant to quicken the release of
further approval when a product has been already tested deeply. The duration of the CB certifi-
cate is 3 years.
Every Nation has its own certification authority and a quality mark.
5
The obtained markings must be reported on the product.
Below is a map with main markings around the world
EUROPE
Country Approval
Austria ÖVE
Belgium CEBEC
Belarus STB
Denmark DEMKO
Finland FIMKO
France NF (LCIE)
Germany VDE
UK BSI
Italy IMQ
Norway NEMKO
Netherlands KEMA-KEUR
Portugal CERTIF
Russia GOST_R
Spain AENOR
Sweden SEMKO
Switzerland SEV
Ukraine GOST_Uk
Naval approval
Country Approval
France BV
Norway DNV
Germany GL
UK LR
Italy RINA
Russia RMRS & RRR

ABB RCDs
ABB System pro M Compact RCDs also have many national and international approvals.
Thanks to these approvals, the devices can be used without restriction as devices for the
world market.
For RCCBs there will be two kinds of marking on the product: for European countries there will
be a marking according to EN standards, while for the extra-European countries there will be a
marking according to IEC standards. In fact IEC and EN standards have few differences.
An example of such differences could be the rated voltage, which is 230/400 for EN and
240/415 for IEC.
All ABB SACE RCDs comply with the IEC 61008 and IEC 61009 Standards. In particular the
paragraph “Verification of resistance to mechanical shock and impact” requires submitting
RCDs to several mechanical shocks, during which the RCDs must not open.
Moreover, all RCCBs and RCD-blocks are immune to mechanically generated vibrations and to
5
electromagnetic effects, in compliance with the IEC 60068-2-6 Standards. For these reasons,
the major classification organisations (RINA, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping) consider ABB RCDs
suitable for marine, offshore and industrial applications. Besides this, the test button of ABB’s
RCDs also operate in low-voltage net applications (with 230V between two phases), so ABB
does not need a dedicated range for naval and low-voltage applications, since the standard
one can be used.
The naval approval authorities do not provide for affixing of marks either on product or on the
box label.

Index
Use of a 4P RCCB in a 3-phase circuit without neutral 6/2
Coordination between SCPD and F200 6/4
Selectivity using RCDs 6/7
Auto reclosing and remote control of RCDs 6/10

Use of a 4P RCCB in a 3-phase circuit without neutral
The test button circuit of these 4P F 200 RCCBs is wired inside the device between terminal
5/6 and 7/8/N as indicated below, and has been dimensioned for an operating voltage be-
tween 110 and 254 V (110 and 277 V according to UL 1053).
1/2 3/4 5/6 7/8/N
2/1 4/3 6/5 8/7/N
In case of installation in a 3-phase circuit without neutral, if the concatenate voltage is between
110 and 254 V (277 V according to UL 1053) for the correct working of the test button there
are two possible solutions:
1) To connect the 3-phase to the terminals 3/4 5/6 7/8/N and the terminals 4/3 6/5 8/7/N
(supply and load side respectively)
2) To connect the 3-phase normally (supply to terminals 1/2 3/4 5/6 and load to terminals 2/1
6
4/3 6/5) and to bridge terminal 1/2 and 7/8/N in order to bring to the terminal 7/8/N the
potential of the first phase. In this way the test button is supplied with the phases’ concate-
nate voltage.
If the circuit is supplied with a concatenate voltage higher than 254 V, as in the typical case of
3-phase net with concatenate voltage of 400 V - or 480 V according to UL 1053 - (and voltage
between phase and neutral of 230 V or 277 V according to UL 1053), it is not possible to use
these connections because the circuit of the test button will be supplied at 400 V and could be
damaged by this voltage.
1/2 3/4 5/6 7/8/N
2/1 4/3 6/5 8/7/N
Rest
IΔn Rest [Ω]

0.03 3300
0.1 1000
0.3 330
0.5 200
In order to allow the correct operation of the test button also in 3-phase nets at 400 V - 480 V
according to UL 1053 - (concatenate voltage) it is necessary to connect the phases normally
(supply to terminals 1/2 3/4 5/6 and load to terminals 2/1 4/3 6/5) and to jump terminal 4/3
and 8/7/N by mean of an electric resistance as indicated above.
In this way, the test button circuit is fed at 400 V - 480 V according to UL 1053 - but for ex-
ample in an RCCB with IΔn=0.03 A there will be the Rest=3.3 kOhm resistance in series to the
test circuit resistance. Rest will cause a voltage drop that leaves a voltage less than 254 V in
the test circuit - 277 V according to UL 1053. Rest resistance must have a power loss higher
than 4 W.
In normal operation of the RCCB (test circuit opened) the Rest resistance is not powered, so it
does not cause any power loss.

RCCBs with neutral pole on left side
The test button circuit of these RCCBs is wired inside the device between terminal 3/4 and
5/6 as indicated below, and it has been dimensioned for an operating voltage between 195 V
and 440 V - 480 V.
In case of a three-phase system without neutral with concatenate voltage between phases of
230 V or 400 V - 277 V or 480 V - it is enough to connect the 3 phases normally (supply to
terminals 1/2 3/4 5/6 and load to terminals 2/1 4/3 6/5) without any bridge.
N 1/2 3/4 5/6
N 2/1 4/3 6/5

Coordination between SCPD and F200
If you are using an RCCB you must verify that the Short Circuit Protection Device (SCPD) pro-
tects it from the effects of high current that arise under short-circuit conditions.
The IEC 61008 provides some tests to verify the behaviour of RCCBs in short-circuit condi-
tions. The tables below provide the maximum withstanding short-circuit current expressed
in eff. kA for which the RCCBs are protected thanks to coordination with the SCPD installed
upstream or downstream.
The tests are performed with SCPD with a rated current (thermal protection) less than or equal
to the rated current of the associated RCCB.
F 202
Single-phases 230-240 V circuit
25 A 40 A 63 A 80 A 100 A 125 A
SN201L/S201L Na 4.5 4.5
SN201/S201 Na 6 6
SN201M/S201M Na 10 10
6 S202L 10 10
S202 20 20 20
S202M 25 25 25
S202P 40 25 25
S802N 36 36 36 36 36 36
S802S 50 50 50 50 50 50
Fuse 25 gG 100
Fuse 40 gG 60 60
Fuse 63 gG 20 20 20
Fuse 100 gG 10 10 10 10 10
Fuse 125 gG 10
F 202
400-415 V circuits with isolated neutral (IT) under double faults
25 A 40 A 63 A 80 A 100 A 125 A
SN201N/SN201/SN201M 3 3
S201L/S201L Na/S202L 4.5 4.5
S201/S201 Na/S202 6 6 6
S201M/S201M Na/S202M 10 10 10
S201P/S201P Na/S202P 25 15 15
S801N/S802N 20 20 20 20 20 20
S801S/S802S 25 25 25 25 25 25

F 204
Three-phases circuits with neutral (y/D) 230-240 V/400-415 V*
25 A 40 A 63 A 80 A 100 A 125 A
SN201L/S201L/S201LNa* 4.5 4.5
SN201/S201/S201Na* 6 6
SN201M/S201M/S201MNa* 10 10
S202L* 10 10
S202* 20 20 20
S202M* 25 25 25
S202P* 40 25 25
S802N* 36 36 36 36 36 36
S802S* 50 50 50 50 50 50
Fuse 25 gG 100
Fuse 40 gG 60 60
Fuse 63 gG 20 20 20
6
Fuse 100 gG 10 10 10 10 10
Fuse 125 gG 10
* The switches are considered between phase and neutral (230/240V)
F 204
Three-phases circuits with neutral (y/D) 230-240 V/400-415 V
25 A 40 A 63 A 80 A 100 A 125 A
S203L/S204L 4.5 4.5
S203/S204 6 6 6
S203M/S204M 10 10 10
S203P/S204P 25 15 15
S803N/S804N 20 20 20 20 20 20
S803S/S804S 25 25 25 25 25 25
Fuse 25 gG 50
Fuse 40 gG 30 30
Fuse 63 gG 20 20 20
Fuse 100 gG 10 10 10 10 10
Fuse 125 gG 10

Coordination between SCPD and F200
F 204
Three-phases circuits with neutral (y/D) 133-138V/230-240V
25 A 40 A 63 A 80 A 100 A 125 A
SN201L 10 10
SN201 15 15
S201M 20 20
S203L/S204L 10 10
S203/S204 20 20 20
S203M/S204M 25 25 25
S203P/S204P 40 25 25
S803N-S804N 36 36 36 36 36 36
S803S-S804S 50 50 50 50 50 50
Fuse 25 gG 100
Fuse 40 gG 60 60
Fuse 63 gG 20 20 20
6
Fuse 100 gG 10 10 10 10 10
Fuse 125 gG 10

Selectivity using RCDs
RCDs raise similar issues to those surrounding the installation of MCBs, and in particular the
need to reduce to a minimum the parts of the system which are out of order in the event of a
fault.
For RCBOs the problem of selectivity in the case of short-circuit currents may be handled with
the same specific criteria as for MCBs.
However, for correct residual current protection, the more important aspects are connected
with tripping times. Protection against contact voltages is only effective if the maximum times
indicated on the safety curve are not exceeded.
If an electrical system has user devices with earth leakage currents which exceed the normal
values (e.g.: presence of capacitor input filters inserted between the device phase and earth
cables) or if the system consists of many user devices, it is good practice to install various
RCDs, on the main branches, with an upstream main residual current or non-residual current
device instead of a single main RCD.
Horizontal selectivity
The non-residual current main circuit-breaker provides “horizontal selectivity”, preventing an
6
earth fault at any point on the circuit or small leakages from causing unwanted main cir-
cuit-breaker tripping, which would put the entire system out of order.
However, in this way, section k of the circuit between the main circuit-breaker and the RCDs
remains without “active” protection. Using a main RCD to protect it would lead to problems
with “vertical selectivity”, which requires tripping of the various devices to be coordinated, so
that service continuity and system safety are not compromised. In this case, selectivity may be
amperometric (partial) or chronometric (total).
A B
Vertical selectivity
Vertical selectivity may also be established for residual current tripping, bearing in mind that
in working back from system peripheral branches to the main electrical panels, the risk of un-
skilled persons coming into contact with dangerous parts is significantly reduced.

Selectivity using RCDs
Amperometric (partial) selectivity

Selectivity may be created by placing low-sensitivity RCDs upstream and higher-sensitivity
RCDs downstream.
An essential condition which must be satisfied in order to achieve selective co-ordination is
that the IΔ1 value of the breaker upstream (main breaker) is more than double the IΔ2 value of
the breaker downstream. The operative rule to obtain amperometric (partial) selectivity is IΔn
of the upstream breaker = 3 x IΔn of the downstream breaker (e. g.: F 204, A type, 300 mA
upstream; F 202, A type, 100 mA downstream).
In this case, selectivity is partial and only the downstream breaker trips for earth fault currents
IΔ2< IΔm<0.5*IΔ1.
0.5 • IΔ1 IΔ1

IΔ1
A
6
0.5 • IΔ2 IΔ2

IΔ2
B
Dubious Certain Certain

selectivity selectivity selectivity
Chronometric (total) selectivity

To achieve total selectivity, delayed or selective RCDs must be installed.
The tripping times of the two devices connected in series must be coordinated so that the total
interruption time t2 of the downstream breaker is less than the upstream breaker’s no-re-
sponse limit time t1, for any current value. In this way, the downstream breaker completes its
opening before the upstream one.
To completely guarantee total selectivity, the IΔ value of the upstream device must also be
more than double that of the downstream device in accordance with IEC 64-8/563.3, com-
ments. The operative rule to obtain amperometric (partial) selectivity is IΔn of the upstream
breaker = 3 x IΔn of the downstream breaker (e. g.: F 204, S type, 300 mA upstream; F 202, A
type, 100 mA downstream).
For safety reasons, the delayed tripping times of the upstream breaker must always be below
the safety curve.
t [s]
Legend
A IΔ1 1 Theoretical safety
1
t1 curve
2 RCD A tripping cha-
2 racteristic
3 3 No-response limit
times
4
IΔ2
4 RCD B tripping
B
t2 characteristic
x IΔ

Table of RCD selectivity
Upstream
10 30 100 300 300 500 500 1000 1000
IΔn [mA]
Downstream
inst inst inst inst S inst S inst S
IΔn [mA]
10 inst ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
30 inst ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
100 inst ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
300 inst ■ ■
300 S ■ ■
500 inst
500 S
1000 inst
1000 S
inst=instantaneous S=selective ■=amperometric (partial) selectivity ■=chronometric (total) selectivity 6

The tripping time on RCDs is not adjustable. It is set according to a predetermined time – cur-
rent characteristic with an intrinsic delay for small currents, tending to disappear as the current
grows.
IEC 61008 and 61009 establish the tripping times relative to the type of RCD and the IΔn (see
the table):
Type AC In [A] IΔn [A] Tripping time [s] x current

1xIΔ 1xIΔ 1xIΔ 500 A
Generic any any 0.3 0.15 0.04 0.04
S (selective) any > 0.03 0.13-0.5 0.06-0.2 0.05-0.15 0.04-0.15
Example:
Downstream F200 A type 30mA
Upstream F200 A S type 300mA
Fault = 300 mA
F200 A type 30mA will open between 0 and 0.04s

F200 A Selective type 300 mA stays closed up to 0.13s
100% Selectivity because 0.13s is greater than 0.04s

Auto reclosing and remote control of RCDs
Locations where remote controlled mechanisms are favoured include spacious or not continu-
ally manned work areas, such as water-treatment plants or radio stations, as well as automat-
ed plants for energy and operations management.
The use of a remote controlled mechanism allows the user direct and immediate access to the
installation even in remote or hard to access locations. Fast reconnection to the supply follow-
ing a fault scenario, in particular, saves considerable time and costs.
F2C-ARI auto reclosing device

The F2C-ARI is suitable for switchboards located in difficult to access areas, in case of
unmanned stations and in general where a high level of service availability is required (public
lighting, traffic and signalling control, mobile phone stations…).
The F2C-ARI performs automatic re-closing of the associated RCCBs and, in addition, the
remote control (open-close). This unit is suitable for F200 series up to 100 A both 2P and 4P.
This device ensures personal and system safety in case of faults and improves reliability and
continuity of service in case of unwanted tripping.
6
F2C-ARH auto reclosing device
The F2C-ARH is an autoreclosing device suitable for F202 30 mA and 100 mA usually used in
household applications. Unlike the F2C-ARI auto-reclosing unit, it does not require a separate
low voltage power supply, but can be supplied by the associated RCCBs (2-pole RCCBs up to
63 A – 30 mA and 100 mA) at the 230 V a.c. rated voltage.
Another feature that makes the product perfect for home applications is an internal control unit
that checks there are no insulation faults in the system before allowing the RCCB to reclose.
This ensures that re-closing occurs only in case of unwanted tripping of the RCCB (i.e. over-
voltages induced by electrical storms) and it guarantees continuity of power supply.
? ON!
30 mA 30 mA 30 mA
0 0 ON 0
OFF
≤ 3 sec
When the RCCB trips in presence of an insulation fault, the auto-reclosing device
does not allow re-closing.
? OFF!
30 mA 30 mA 30 mA
0 0 0
OFF OFF
1 2
≤ 3 sec

Motor operating device F2C-CM
With the range of motor operating devices it is possible to open and close F200 series RCCBs
up to 100 A by remote control. The motor operating device has two integrated contacts:
– One 1NO+1NC auxiliary change-over contact which indicates the position of the associated
RCCB’s contacts.
– One 1NO+1NC signal change-over contact which indicates that the associated RCCB has
tripped.

6

Choosing the correct differential protection
Index
General rules 7/2
Unwanted tripping of RCDs 7/4
Earth fault current with smooth DC 7/5
Where do we use residual current relays? 7/6

Selection of RCDs
General rules
The selection of the most appropriate RCD protection depends on the following criteria:
– protection task in the installation
rated residual current IΔn
– type of residual current/characteristic of load
type of RCD (AC/A/F/B)
– resistivity against unwanted tripping/selectivity requirements
standard type/type S/short-time delayed type
– RCD product types
RCCBs, RCBOs, RCUs, CBRs, MRCDs
For each step we’ll provide a scheme that can support the user everytime he has to choose an
RCD that suits a given requirement or application.
Step 1 | Rated residual current IΔn

Protection against electric shock Protection against thermal effects
Fault protection - IΔn according to Additional protection - IΔn ≤ 30mA For locations with risks of fire
IEC/HD IEC/HD due to the nature of processed or
60364-4-41, cl. 411 60364-4-41, cl. 411.3.3 stored materials - IΔn ≤ 300 mA
7 for low impedance faults

IEC/HD
60364-4-42, cl. 422.3.9
– Z s (TN system) – IΔn ≤ 30mA for earth faults with
– R A (TT system) significant impedance like for
– typ. 100 mA /300 mA / 500 mA panel heating systems
Step 2 | Type of residual current

Type AC Type A Type F Type B
For alternating sinus- As type AC As type A As type F
oidal residual current, + + +
suddenly applied or Residual pulsating dc Composite residual cur- – residual sinusoidal ac
smoothly increasing. current, suddenly applied rents, suddenly applied currents up to 1 kHz
May be not allowed in or smoothly increasing or slowly rising, intended – residual ac currents
some countries + for circuits supplied bet- superimposed on a
Residual pulsating dc ween L and N or L and smooth dc current
current superim-posed earthed middle conduc- – residual pulsating dc
on smooth dc current ≤ tor; residual pulsating dc currents superim-
6mA current super-imposed posed on a smooth dc
on smooth dc current ≤ current
10mA – residual pulsating
rectified dc current
which results from two
or more phases
– residual smooth dc
currents whether sud-
denly applied or slowly
increased independent
of polarity.

Step 3 | Operational continuity
Istantaneous Selective
Operational Responsive protection Operational Responsive
continuity continuity protection
APR Standard RCD S BS
Step 4 | Product types
RCCB RCBO BLOCKS

S MRCD
For household and similar installations
For industrial installations
Residual current protecti- Residual current protec- Residual current unit Modular residual current
ve device without integral tive device with integral to be assembled to an device
overcurrent protection overcurrent protection assigned overcurrent 7
protective device forming
a RCBO

Unwanted tripping of RCDs
Unwanted triping of RCDs can represent a side-effect because it affects the operational continuity.
It could also be wrongly considered a quality problem of the device.
Typical causes of unwanted RCD tripping could be:
– presence of leakage current with modest value but with high level of harmonics or high
frequency
– presence of transient impulsive currents (e.g. usually caused by opening and closing of
capacitive or inductive loads);
– overvoltages caused by lightning
– transient impulsive currents added to permanent leakage currents already present (eg.
caused by electronic devices)
What are the possible solutions?

According to IEC 62350 (Guidance for the correct use of residual current-operated protective
devices (RCDs) for household and similar) the recommended solutions are:
– “installation” solution: split the installation into several different circuits, each of them pro-
tects by an RCD
– “product” solution: select RCDs which are more resistant to unwanted tripping
The F200 type APR is ten times more resistant to unwanted tripping than standard ones (both
7
AC and A). Selective types are more resistant than APR types but they cannot be made with
sensitivity less than 100mA! (no additional protection against direct contact!!)
ABB classifies APR types as instantaneous. The F200 APR has higher resistance to unwanted
tripping than standard models. APR are made only with sensivity of 30mA because:
– they can be used to protect people against direct (addictional to insulation) and indirect
contact: complete protection and continuity of supply
– if higher sensitivities (> 30mA) are requested, ABB already offers selective types that guar-
antee higher resistance to unwanted tripping
APR types suit all applications where it is necessary to ensure safety and continuity of supply
while preventing unwanted tripping.
Typical examples of this can be found in these situations:
– Environments subjected to overvoltage due to lightning
– Simultaneous switching on of fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts
– Simultaneous switching of IT apparatus (computers or electronic devices)
– Devices with capacitors which connect phases to the earth installed in long circuits
– Switching on of motor softstarter/speed variator.
Types B RCDs are inherently APR devices and therefore they can be used in case of unwanted
trippings as well. Compared with APR devices, type B can assure operational continuity even
in case of low ratings (30 mA) and in case of high frequency leakages.

Earth fault currents with smooth DC
In order to detect wave forms of earth fault currents similar to smooth direct (ripple free) or with high
frequency components, the type B RCDs have been introduced. Type B RCDs are not mentioned in
the reference standards for RCDs, IEC 61008-1 and IEC 61009-1. These kinds of devices are includ-
ed in the IEC 60755 technical report (general requirements for residual current operated protective
devices), in section 4.2.10.3, where all the additional types of residual currents which a B type RCD is
able to detect are specified. Besides this, International Standard IEC 62423 ed.2 has been published,
specifying the additional requirements for type B RCDs. This Standard can only be used together
with IEC 61008-1 (for RCCBs) and IEC 61009-1 (for RCD-blocks and RCBOs), meaning that type B
RCDs must comply with all requirements of IEC 61008/9. The Standard includes:
– definitions,
– requirements (they must be able to detect earth fault currents up to 1000 Hz),
– tests, in addition to the tests of IEC 61008/9.
Type B RCDs suit all cases where it is possible to have smooth direct earth fault currents or
high harmonic distortion, and type A devices are not able to guarantee the adequate level of
protection. Typical examples are:
– Three-phase a.c./d.c. converters where, in absence of double insulation, insulation defects
or earth faults can occur in the d.c. part of the circuit (downstream the rectifier).
– Three-phase UPS where, in absence of double insulation, insulation defects or earth faults
can occur in the d.c. part of the circuit (downstream the rectifier).
7
– Electro-medical devices where a.c./d.c converters inside the instruments are often used.
– Three-phase Frequency Converters where the earth fault current can have very high fre-
quency components or elevated harmonic distortion.
– In photovoltaic installations
For example, in PV installations a dangerous situation can occur in case of internal insulation break-
down between inverter DC and AC; in this case, some DC voltage could pass through the network.
In the case of earth fault currents or indirect contact on the network (AC side), type A (sensitive to
alternating and/or pulsating current with DC component) or type AC (sensitive only to alternating
current) RCDs are not able to detect the d.c. fault current. Inverters with no separation between the
AC side and the DC side require a type B RCD on the AC-side: IEC 60364-7 art. 712.413.1.1.1.2
“Where an electrical installation includes a PV power supply system without at least simple separa-
tion between the AC side and the DC side, an RCD installed to provide fault protection by automatic
disconnection of supply should be type B. If the PV inverter by construction is not able to feed D.C.
fault current into the electrical installation a B-type RCD is not mandatory”.
F202 B, F204 B
Main technical specifications F202 B, F204 B
Rated operating current [A] 25, 40, 63, 80, 125
Rated operating voltage [V a.c.] 230...400
Rated current sensitivity [mA] 30, 100, 300, 500
Number of poles 2, 4
Type B, B S (selective version)
Standard IEC 61008
IEC 62423 (for instantaneous version)
DIN VDE 0664 pt. 100 (for selective version)
DDA202 B, DDA203 B, DDA204 B

Main technical specifications RCD-blocks DDA202 B, DDA203 B, DDA204 B
Rated operating current [A] up to 63
Rated operating voltage [V a.c.] 230...400
Rated current sensitivity [mA] 30, 300
Number of poles 2, 3, 4
Type B, B S (selective version)
Standard IEC 61009 Annex G
IEC 60755

s with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 7/5
Where do we use residual current relays?
Residual current relays are electronic devices for residual current monitoring and residual cur-
rent protection according to annex M of IEC 60947-2.
IEC 60947-2 is the standard of “Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 2: Cir-
cuit-breakers”. Devices according to this standard are intended for use by skilled people. In
fact, residual current relays use the circuit breaker as a switch device after detecting a fault
current by means of the external toroidal transformer.
Therefore, the reference standard explains the possibility of using residual current relays in
typically industrial contexts, where continuity of service is often critical and may be guaranteed
by the selectivity.
Generally, the residual current relays with external toroidal transformer are used for upstream
protection. Downstream, electromechanical RCDs (F200 for example) may be used for the
protection of the single terminal lines. It is important that the main switch is the last to trip after
a fault. A well-designed system ensures that only the part of the circuit affected by the fault
should be places out of service.
By setting the delay (adjustable on the front of the relay), it is possible to guarantee that the
first RCD to trip is the nearest to the fault.
In addition, it is possible to set the sensitivity IΔn. This is very useful especially in those com-
plex environments where it is difficult to planwhich users will be connected to the lines to be
7
protected in the first phase of design.
Δ t [s] lΔn [A]

0,5 1 1 2
0,3 2 0,5 3
0,2 3 0,3 5
0,06 5 0,1 10
0 10 0,03 30

ABB leading RCD technology
Index
ABB leading RCD technology 8/2

ABB leading RCD technology
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that

enable utility and industry customers to improve performance
while lowering environmental impact.
The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000
people.
Technology leadership, global presence, application knowledge and local expertise are key fac-
tors in offering products, systems and services that enable ABB’s customers to improve their
businesses in terms of energy efficiency, reliability of networks and industrial productivity.
ABB Low Voltage Division: many solutions in low-voltage systems

ABB Low Voltage Division offers a wide range of products and systems for low voltage electri-
cal distribution and automation in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
The product range also includes intelligent building control systems, also known as KNX sys-
tems, for home and building automation to improve comfort, energy efficiency and security.
Components and systems for charging electric vehicles complete the portfolio.
A significant part of these products are made in Italy, in highly specialised and automated
production facilities; all sites have obtained ISO 9001 quality, Health and Safety OHSAS 18001
and ISO 14001 certificates.
Furthermore, the ABB Low Voltage Division, always focused on excellence, has implemented
8
IRIS and SA8000 certifications in some of its factories: this is the standard of absolute impor-

tance to quality and corporate social responsibility.
Local research and development, attentive to the most important aspects of technological
innovation, responds quickly and often anticipates the needs of designers, systems integrators
and installers operating in different sectors.
The ABB test laboratory, thanks to its

high-tech equipment and the exper-
tise of its specialists, ensures accu-
rate
testing and qualified certification of
its products.
A testimony to the high standards
achieved: the Low Voltage laboratory
Division in Vittuone (Milan, in Italy)
was accredited and recognised as a
ACAE LOVAG Registered Laboratory
and was also authorised to apply the
Supervised Manufacturer’s
Testing (SMT) procedure.
8

For your notes
Contact us
2CSC420004B0202 - 1/2015 - 2.000 pz CAL

ABB SACE The data and illustrations are not binding.
We reserve the right to modify the contents of this document
A division of ABB S.p.A.
on the basis of technical development of the products,
Line Protection Devices without prior notice.
Viale dell’Industria, 18
Copyright 2015 ABB. All right reserved.
20010 Vittuone (MI) - Italy
Tel.: +39 02 9034 1
www.abb.com/lowvoltage
www.abb.com

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Technical guide | 2015

Protection against earth faults

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 1

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 1/1

1 The manufacturer has the responsability to issue a

1/2 2CSC420004B0202 | Protection against earth faults with RCDs

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 1/3

1/4 2CSC420004B0202 | Protection against earth faults with RCDs

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/1

2/2 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

2 Usually no harmful physiological effects

Usually no organic damage to be expected. Likelihood of cramp-like muscular contrac-

Table 1: Effects of alternating current on the human body

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/3

There are two possible types of electric shocks:

2/4 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

– insulation of live parts, this is the standard method.

– enclosures or barriers to prevent from touching

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/5

Indirect contact protection

2/6 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

An additional protection against the hazards of direct contact

Why 30mA is the preferred value for IΔn?

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/7

2/8 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/9

2/10 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/11

2/12 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 2/13

TT distribution systems are used

TN distribution systems are the

μA÷2 A dependent on the size of This type of system is particularly

Use of RCDs in different electrical distribution systems

2/14 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 3/1

Founded in 1906, the IEC (International Electrotechnical

Standard IEC 60364 “Electrical Installations for Buildings”

European Committee for Elec-

Every nation, referring to the

3/2 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

RB RA Ik is the current causing

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 3/3

Ik is the current causing the

3/4 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

Ik is the current causing the

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 3/5

Standards for electrical installations with RCDs

protection against electric shock 30...500 ■ ■

60364-5-551 low-voltage power generating installations 10...30 ■

60364-7-701 rooms with bathtubs or showers, outlets in zone 3 10...30 ■

60364-7-702 swimming pools and other pools 10...30 ■

60364-7-703 rooms with cabins with sauna heating 10...30 ■

construction sites, socket outlet circuits up to ≤ 300 ■ ■

conductive areas with limited freedom of move-

3/6 Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202

The relevant standards covering RCD products are as follows:

Protection against earth faults with RCDs | 2CSC420004B0202 3/7

Residual Current Circuit breaker (RCCB)

Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overload protection (RCBO)